In Yasir Shah England are facing the best leg-spinner since Shane Warne, insists all-rounder Ben Stokes July 20, 2016 Returning England all-rounder Ben Stokes has hailed Pakistan’s Yasir Shah as the best exponent of leg-spin since Australia great Shane Warne as preparations for the second Test at Emirates Old Trafford, which starts on Friday, intensify. Yasir proved the scourge of England during their 75-run defeat to Pakistan at Lord’s in the first Test as [...]
The BFG: Steven Spielberg’s mega-bucks adaptation captures the surface but misses the soul of Roald Dahl’s children’s classic July 20, 2016 There's a lot of common ground between Steven Spielberg and Roald Dahl. Both incarnate aspects of childhood; the unrefined wonderment, the valorisation of innocence. And for long stretches, this mega-budget live-action adaptation seems like a great fit. Mark Rylance, as the titular Big Friendly Giant, provides much of the charm, playing his part with dignity [...]
Two spinners, Rashid in for Moeen, Vince out? England have options at disposal for the second Test against Pakistan July 20, 2016 England have some thinking to do before the start of the second Investec Test against Pakistan at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday as they bid to drag themselves back into the series. Having named a 14-man squad for the clash they have plenty of options at their disposal and there has been a fair bit of [...]
Dismissals for dissent on the cards as England’s refs are told to crack down on bad behaviour from players and coaches July 20, 2016 Players who confront and verbally abuse referees or their assistants face instant dismissal next season after English football’s key stakeholders announced a crackdown on dissent. Any aggressive or confrontational physical contact with an official will also attract a red card, while referees have been ordered to issue more bookings for similar but less serious offences. [...]
Mark Cavendish drops out of Tour de France after earning cool £44,000 in prize money July 20, 2016 Mark Cavendish has pulled out of the Tour de France with five stages remaining but will still take home a cool €52,670 (£44,00) in prize money for his two and half weeks work. The 31-year-old is dropping out to focus on preparations for the Rio Olympics — where he hopes to win his first medal — which begins in [...]
Manchester United will win the transfer window if they sign Paul Pogba – but it’ll be a big blow if they don’t July 19, 2016 Arsenal I wouldn’t be thrilled if I was an Arsenal fan. Granit Xhaka is the Gunners’ only major addition this summer, which suggests Arsene Wenger must be pretty happy with his starting XI. With the way they finished the season, I’m surprised he hasn’t been bolder, while seemingly not having an alternative option when a [...]
Chris Froome content to be winning battle over doping sceptics July 19, 2016 Tour de France leader Chris Froome believes there has been a palpable shift in the public’s perception of him following his decision to publicise results of physiological testing towards the end of last year. Team Sky rider Froome is a two-time Tour winner and during his victories in 2013 and 2015 he had to contend [...]
Antonio Conte insists Diego Costa is staying at Chelsea, Stoke confirm Saido Berahino bids and Arsenal close on Bolton defender July 19, 2016 Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has warned Atletico Madrid to forget about re-signing Diego Costa and vowed to make the Spain centre-forward an integral part of his Stamford Bridge reign. Atletico have been linked with a deal to take their former player back to the Vicente Calderon, with club president Enrique Cerezo quizzed on Tuesday about [...]
Hull urge Football Association to make quick decision after holding informal talks with Steve Bruce over England job July 19, 2016 Newly-promoted Hull City have confirmed that manager Steve Bruce has held informal talks with the Football Association (FA) over succeeding Roy Hodgson as England boss. While no official approach for the former Manchester United captain has been made, the Tigers have followed Sunderland’s lead in calling on the FA to resolve the matter promptly given the [...]
First Major title could open the floodgates for “one of the boys” and supremely talented Henrik Stenson July 19, 2016 All that was missing from his CV was a Major title but it’s there now. There are simply not enough superlatives to do justice to Henrik Stenson’s performance in winning the Open Championship at Royal Troon on Sunday. The golf he produced was as good as it gets. The 40-year-old is just the second player [...]