Finn exorcises demons as England romp to morale-boosting victory January 20, 2015 ENGLAND bowler Steven Finn believes he has healed the wounds of last winter’s traumatic Ashes tour after career-best one-day figures of 5-33 helped to inflict a nine-wicket thrashing on India yesterday. Recuperated James Anderson also shone with 4-18 in his first outing for the team since September before Ian Bell’s 88 not out and an [...]
Jermain Defoe hoping Premier League return catches Hodgson’s eye January 20, 2015 SUNDERLAND striker Jermain Defoe believes scoring the goals to fire his new side to Premier League safety will ignite his burning ambition to earn an England recall. The former West Ham, Tottenham and Portsmouth forward was overlooked for last year’s World Cup in Brazil after moving to Major League Soccer side Toronto, but returned to [...]
F1 grands prix time changes January 20, 2015 FORMULA One’s season opener in Australia is one of five grands prix set for an earlier start in a change prompted by Jules Bianchi’s horror crash at Suzuka last year. Races in Malaysia, China, Japan and Russia are to be brought forward by an hour in an attempt to avoid the dusky conditions in which [...]
Glandular fever fears as ill Watson suffers Australian Open exit January 20, 2015 BRITISH No1 Heather Watson has played down concerns she could be suffering a recurrence of the glandular fever that paralysed her career after wilting in the first round of the Australian Open yesterday. Watson, 22, needed medical attention on court after complaining of blurred vision, nausea and feeling faint during a 6-4, 6-0 defeat to [...]
Country’s best hold no fear for bullish Rodgers January 19, 2015 LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers has labelled Chelsea the best team in the country but insists his side can beat them at Stamford Bridge next week if tonight’s Capital One Cup semi-final first leg goes awry. The Blues arrive at Anfield this evening having just extended their Premier League lead over Manchester City to five points [...]
Roberto Martinez defends Belgian Mirallas after penalty greed proves critical January 19, 2015 EVERTON boss Roberto Martinez refused to blame Kevin Mirallas after the Belgium playmaker spurned a first-half penalty as the struggling Toffees failed to break down a resolute West Brom at Goodison Park last night. The home side only carved out one clear-cut opportunity and that was the spot-kick which Mirallas screwed past the post after [...]
Defeat to United earns Redknapp a QPR reprieve January 19, 2015 QUEENS Park Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes believes that Saturday’s performance against Manchester United, which ended in defeat, is proof that under-fire manager Harry Redknapp should keep his job. AirAsia chief Fernandes yesterday attempted to quell speculation that Redknapp is set to be sacked by issuing a statement reaffirming his faith in the former Tottenham and [...]
Pardew eyes Gestede move January 19, 2015 CRYSTAL Palace boss Alan Pardew is closing in on further striking reinforcements after making a bid for Blackburn Rovers’ leading goalscorer Rudy Gestede. The Benin international has netted 25 goals in 52 appearances for the Championship side, while his 24 strikes in 2014 made him the second highest scorer in the Football League behind Chesterfield’s [...]
Mad Dog lies in wait for Murray after Briton’s Bhambri cakewalk January 19, 2015 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray is no stranger to hot-headed outbursts on the tennis court but looks positively Zen compared to his next opponent at the Australian Open, Marinko Matosevic. Bosnia-born Australian national Matosevic is nicknamed Mad Dog for a lively temper that last year saw him fined for spitting, kicking out at a camera and verbally [...]
A quarter of women’s seeds fall but Sharapova lays down marker January 19, 2015 WORLD No2 Maria Sharapova bucked the trend on a disastrous first day for seeds in the women’s draw at the Australian Open yesterday by ruthlessly despatching Croatian Petra Martic. Sharapova, who can reclaim top spot in the WTA rankings by winning the year’s first grand slam, laid down a marker with a convincing 6-4, 6-1 [...]