Robshaw talks up Easter recall December 8, 2014 ENGLAND captain Chris Robshaw insists Harlequins team-mate Nick Easter remains one of the best practitioners of his craft, adding fuel to the fire of suggestions the veteran No8 could still have a place on the international stage. Easter crossed the line and carried the fight to three-time champions Leinster during Sunday’s 24-18 European Champions Cup [...]
Taylor focused on World Cup December 8, 2014 ENGLAND batsman James Taylor believes his pulsating innings in the fourth one-day international (ODI) can prove a watershed moment in his international career and strengthen his bid for a place in his country’s World Cup squad. The 24-year-old played his only two Test matches for England in the summer of 2012 against South Africa, while [...]
Hughes service cancelled while Australia set for Test match duty December 8, 2014 THE state memorial service planned for Australia Test batsman Phillip Hughes was yesterday cancelled following consultation with family members and Cricket Australia. Hughes died last month after being struck on the neck by a short-pitched delivery while batting for South Australia against former club New South Wales during a Sheffield Shield clash at the Sydney [...]
Olympic chiefs scrap sport cap December 8, 2014 SQUASH and baseball could feature in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) yesterday voted to drop a 28-sport cap which currently governs the showpiece event. The new directive forms part the Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms and will instead see future summer Games restricted to 10,500 athletes and 310 events. [...]
Premier League: Carroll’s double fires Hammers into top three December 7, 2014 AT UPTON PARK WEST HAM UNITED 3 SWANSEA CITY 1 WEST Ham boss Sam Allardyce praised Andy Carroll’s old fashioned centre forward qualities after he scored twice to lift the Hammers to third in the Premier League and brush aside 10-man Swansea yesterday. Carroll’s double fired the hosts into the lead following Wilfried Bony’s opener [...]
Dazzling Taylor can’t prevent England slide towards series defeat December 7, 2014 ENGLAND’S stand-in skipper Eoin Morgan extolled the performance of batsman James Taylor despite his side slumping to a six-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in the fourth one-day international in Colombo yesterday. Nottinghamshire’s Taylor, who replaced suspended captain Alastair Cook, carried the English fight with a top score of 90 as England were bowled out for [...]
Castrogiovanni blasts Leicester boss Cockerill December 7, 2014 ITALY prop Martin Castrogiovanni launched a scathing expletive-ridden attack on Leicester boss Richard Cockerill after storming into yesterday’s post-match press conference at Welford Road following Toulon’s 25-21 European Champions Cup defeat yesterday. Leicester enhanced their chances of reaching the quarter-finals with a famous win thanks to a rare Brad Thorn try and 20 points from [...]
We struggle to cope with Stoke, admits Wenger December 7, 2014 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger admits his team struggle to cope with playing at Stoke, following a fifth defeat in their last eight visits to the Britannia Stadium. Wenger believes Saturday’s 3-2 reverse – the Gunners’ fourth in the Premier League already this season – was also further evidence that the Potters try harder against his [...]
Pearson rejects job fears as Villa down Leicester December 7, 2014 LEICESTER manager Nigel Pearson insists he is not worried about getting the sack despite yesterday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa leaving his team anchored to the bottom of the Premier League. The Foxes took the lead when Leonardo Ulloa capitalised on Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan’s poor handling, but Ciaran Clark headed an equaliser and Alan [...]
O’Sullivan made to sweat for fifth UK title by Trump December 7, 2014 FORMER world No1 Ronnie O’Sullivan insisted his epic UK Championship final clash with Judd Trump had proven the most testing match of his illustrious career after resisting a fierce comeback to win 10-9 in York last night. The 39-year-old was on the cusp of victory at 9-4 before two century breaks helped Trump level the [...]