Moeen’s heroics warranted win, rues sorry Cook November 26, 2014 SKIPPER Alastair Cook rued his side’s inability to capitalise on Moeen Ali’s sparkling century as England slipped to a 25-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the first one-day international in Colombo yesterday. Opener Moeen struck 11 fours and five sixes in his 87-ball 119 while Essex all-rounder Ravi Bopara added a composed 65 before his [...]
We must disrupt Wallabies flair, says Farrell November 26, 2014 ENGLAND coach Andy Farrell insists it is imperative his side combat Australia’s natural attacking flair with robust industry during their final autumn showdown at Twickenham on Saturday. Head coach Stuart Lancaster has named an unchanged squad for the clash with the Wallabies, which represents England’s final chance to defeat a southern hemisphere heavyweight ahead of [...]
Poulter: I would love to skipper Europe at some stage in future November 26, 2014 RYDER Cup star Ian Poulter admits to having an eye on captaining Europe one day but has backed Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke to take the reins on American soil in 2016. Poulter is notorious for his heroic showings in the biennial event, which ensured his selection for this year’s tournament as one of skipper Paul [...]
Champions League: Pellegrini calm as Aguero stuns 10-man Bayern November 25, 2014 MANCHESTER CITY 3 BAYERN MUNICH 2 PHLEGMATIC Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini chose to focus on the final matchday conundrum despite seeing his side revive their flagging Champions League hopes courtesy of a Sergio Aguero-inspired victory over 10-man Bayern Munich at the Etihad Stadium last night. A clinical Aguero completed his hat-trick with two late [...]
Champions League: Job done for Mourinho as Chelsea cruise into last 16 after five-star demolition job November 25, 2014 SCHALKE 0 CHELSEA 5 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho eased concerns over a December fixture pile-up by masterminding a thrashing in Gelsenkirchen that guaranteed his team qualify for the Champions League last 16 as group winners. Strikes from captain John Terry, Willian, an own goal, Didier Drogba and fellow substitute Ramires barely reflected the Blues utter [...]
Rodgers defends Anfield skipper Gerrard in wake of growing swipes November 25, 2014 DEFIANT Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists his continued selection of skipper Steven Gerrard is based purely on merit as the Reds prepare for their crunch Champions League clash with surprise package Ludogorets Razgrad tonight. Liverpool face European elimination should they fail to end a dismal four-match losing streak and secure maximum points against the Bulgarian [...]
Wenger takes aim at Usmanov as Arsenal train their sights on wounded Dortmund November 25, 2014 UNDER-FIRE Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has issued a thinly-veiled rebuke to Alisher Usmanov, the club’s second largest shareholder, for breaking ranks and publicly criticising the team. Russian billionaire Usmanov, who owns 30 per cent of the Gunners but is not on the board, accused Wenger of failing to learn from his mistakes after Saturday’s defeat [...]
Bouncer leaves Hughes in coma November 25, 2014 CRICKET was in shock last night as Australia Test batsman Phil Hughes was left in a coma after being struck on the head by a bouncer during his side’s Sheffield Shield clash with New South Wales at Sydney Cricket Ground. The South Australia left-hander collapsed as a result of the short-pitched delivery from fast bowler [...]
Twelvetrees in line for England place as Lancaster names squad November 25, 2014 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster has rewarded the players which arrested a deflating five-match losing streak against Samoa by last night naming an unchanged squad for Saturday’s concluding autumn fixture against Australia at Twickenham. Gloucester’s Billy Twelvetrees looks likely to compete with Owen Farrell for the inside-centre position after Lancaster confirmed man of the moment [...]
England set to make Finn call November 25, 2014 ENGLAND were last night sweating on the fitness of fast bowler Steven Finn as World Cup preparations intensify today with the first clash in a seven-match series against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The Middlesex seamer has been struggling since Sunday with a groin injury sustained in the training session that replaced his side’s second warm-up [...]