Joe Root hits back at claims England have will have weak middle order for first Pakistan Test July 12, 2016 England batsman Joe Root has hit back at Pakistani suggestions that his move to No3 will weaken the hosts’ middle order in the first Investec Test at Lord’s, which starts on Thursday. Root’s promotion comes after Nick Compton opted to take an extended break from his struggles with the bat, while all-rounder Ben Stokes is [...]
Manchester United target Paul Pogba’s going nowhere yet, says agent, despite £100m transfer rumours July 11, 2016 Manchester United’s prospects of luring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford in a world record £100m transfer appear to have receded after the France star’s agent played down the potential move. United are thought to be willing to pay Juventus more than 100 times the £800,000 they received when Pogba quit Old Trafford for Italy [...]
Gokhan Tore cites Slaven Bilic factor after West Ham sign Turkey winger on loan July 11, 2016 West Ham’s newest signing Gokhan Tore has revealed that the chance to work again under Hammers coach Slaven Bilic convinced him to join the ambitious east London outfit. Winger Tore, 24, has joined on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent move from Besiktas, where he played under Bilic for two seasons before [...]
Golf stars accused of overreacting to Zika scare as Jordan Spieth becomes latest to withdraw from Rio Olympics July 11, 2016 Golf's four leading male players will be missing from the sport’s long-awaited return to the Olympics after world No3 Jordan Spieth became the latest high-profile withdrawal on Monday. Spieth’s decision to pull out of the Rio Games, citing concerns over the Zika virus, follows similar moves in recent weeks by fellow stars Rory McIlroy, Jason [...]
Andy Murray set to skip Great Britain’s Davis Cup quarter-final against Serbia July 11, 2016 Britain's Davis Cup hero Andy Murray has indicated that he is set to withdraw from the team to face Serbia this week following his Wimbledon triumph. Murray was named in a provisional five-man squad last week, alongside his elder brother Jamie, Dan Evans, Kyle Edmund and Dominic Inglot, but said on Monday that he was [...]
Andy Murray sets sights on world No1 spot and double Olympic gold in Rio after Wimbledon triumph July 11, 2016 Wimbledon champion Andy Murray is refusing to rest on his laurels and has set his sights on challenging Novak Djokovic for the world No1 spot as well as winning two gold medals at the Rio Olympics. The Scot is determined to soak up his second triumph at the All England Club, which may mean that he [...]
Drug ban appeal postponement ends Maria Sharapova’s last hope of competing at Rio Olympics July 11, 2016 Former world No1 Maria Sharapova has admitted defeat in her bid to compete at the Rio Olympics next month after her appeal against a doping ban was delayed. Sharapova had hoped the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) would overturn the two-year suspension she received last month from the International Tennis Federation (ITF). That decision [...]
Royal Troon’s propensity for surprises could favour Graeme McDowell July 11, 2016 There is a Scottish expression that sums up the best way for players to approach Royal Troon, as they descend on South Ayrshire this week for the 145th Open Championship. “Ca’ canny” – meaning “tread lightly” – is sound advice for tackling the Old Course, a setting that prioritises accuracy over enormous hitting and has been [...]
Portugal 1, France 0 (AET): Pepe hails Cristiano Ronaldo’s inspiration despite first-half injury as hosts stunned in Euro 2016 final July 11, 2016 Much-malignedPortugal centre-half Pepe insists Cristiano Ronaldo remained the inspiration behind his side’s shock Euro 2016 final victory over hosts France despite injury forcing the forward’s first-half withdrawal at the Stade de France. In a match seemingly destined for penalties, Portugal sealed their first major trophy in extra-time courtesy of a goal from substitute striker and [...]
This is my time, says grand slam-chasing Andy Murray after sealing second Wimbledon title with rout of Milos Raonic July 10, 2016 Britain's Andy Murray has vowed to rack up copious grand slam titles after dismantling big-serving Milos Raonic on Centre Court to be crowned Wimbledon champion for a second time. Murray was at his destructive best as he brushed aside Canada’s Raonic in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2) to win the third grand slam of [...]