Pietersen: New skipper Morgan keen to pick me January 13, 2015 ENGLAND outcast Kevin Pietersen has risked alienating cricket chiefs further by claiming new one-day international (ODI) skipper Eoin Morgan would select him if allowed. Pietersen has been discarded by England since his sacking last February, while a series of controversial revelations in his autobiography aggravated already fractured relationships. The 34-year-old is England’s highest run scorer [...]
Hodgson forced to cancel planned dinner date with England players January 13, 2015 ENGLAND boss Roy Hodgson was last night forced to cancel a dinner meeting with his players after various Premier League clubs objected to the concept due to busy fixture schedules. Hodgson had planned to organize a get-together at the end of the month to conduct a tactical review of November’s 3-1 friendly win over Scotland, [...]
Kruis handed Six Nations pardon despite receiving tip-tackle ban January 13, 2015 ENGLAND second row George Kruis was last night handed a Six Nations reprieve after being served a threeweek ban for his tip tackle on Gloucester wing David Halaifonua. Saracens forward Kruis pleaded guilty at a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing in central London and will be suspended until Monday 2 February following his dangerous tackle [...]
Stifling Ings key to Tottenham’s FA Cup progress January 13, 2015 TOTTENHAM defender Eric Dier insists shackling the attacking potency of Burnley’s England Under-21 striker Danny Ings is pivotal to his side navigating tonight’s FA Cup third round replay at White Hart Lane. Burnley salvaged a replay last week after Wales hitman Sam Vokes shrugged off a nine-month injury nightmare to cancel out Nacer Chadli’s opener. [...]
Watson sinks US star Stephens and savours timely resurgence January 13, 2015 BRITAIN’S Heather Watson admits she is rediscovering her best form after stepping up preparations for next week’s Australian Open by claiming the scalp of four-time grand slam semi-finalist Sloane Stephens. Watson swept past the American 6-3, 6-1 in just 64 minutes to reach the last eight of the Hobart International, where she is due to [...]
Everton, Arsenal and Chelsea named as the “most stable” teams in the Premier League January 13, 2015 Everton, Arsenal and Chelsea have been named as the most stable clubs in the Premier League in a new study from the CIES Football Observatory. The study, which looks at how player turnover affects a club’s performance, found that a more settled or “stable” squad would be more likely to achieve success. On [...]
Allardyce bangs drum for Carroll England call-up January 12, 2015 WEST HAM boss Sam Allardyce has backed towering hitman Andy Carroll to earn an England recall as his side prepare to face Everton in tonight’s FA Cup third round reply at Upton Park. Carroll has been blighted by injury since the Hammers stumped up a club record £15m to secure his services on a permanent [...]
Captain Morgan off to a flier as batsmen thrive January 12, 2015 ENGLAND spinner James Tredwell toasted a smooth start to Eoin Morgan’s captaincy as his side dismantled an Australian Capital Territory XI by 216 runs in their tour opener in Canberra yesterday. Five batsmen – Ian Bell, Moeen Ali, James Taylor, Joe Root and Ravi Bopara – posted half-centuries, while all-rounder Chris Woakes finished unbeaten on [...]
Tip-tackle ban could force Kruis to miss opening Six Nations fixtures January 12, 2015 ENGLAND second row George Kruis was last night facing the prospect of missing the start of the Six Nations after being cited for a tip tackle on Gloucester wing David Halaifonua during Friday’s Premiership clash with Gloucester at Kingsholm. The Saracens forward was sin-binned for the indiscretion and will attend a Rugby Football Union disciplinary [...]
Anthony Joshua quits Kevin Johnson fight January 12, 2015 UNDEFEATED heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has been forced to withdraw from his planned showdown with American Kevin Johnson later this month after aggravating a back injury. Watford-based Joshua pulled out of the bout, scheduled for Saturday 31 January, on medical advice following the results of a scan which showed the 25-year-old had suffered a Pars [...]