Cricket Comment: Fear of failure crippling England means selectors must break cycle July 22, 2014 I DON’T want to hammer England’s selectors. They generally get it right. There is a huge gap between county and Test level and not everyone is able to bridge it, yet they tend to choose well. But they really must grasp the nettle right now and remove captain Alastair Cook. England cannot get any worse. [...]
Mourinho issues title challenges July 22, 2014 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho says his team have matured from last season’s “little horse” and are ready to mount serious challenges for the Premier League and Champions League. Mourinho memorably used the equine analogy last term to depict the Blues as outsiders in the hunt for silverware, saying in February that they still “need milk [...]
Cook: I’m not quitting July 21, 2014 England skipper rejects clamour to resign despite India Test defeat deepening crisis BESIEGED England cricket captain Alastair Cook refused to quit last night despite defeat in the second Test against India at Lord’s increasing calls for him to relinquish the role. Chasing 319 to win, England capitulated from 173-4 to 223 all out as Cook [...]
Gerrard: I am quitting (England duty) July 21, 2014 LIVERPOOL skipper Steven Gerrard has hinted that he hopes to play on until the age of 38 after retiring from international football to prolong his club career yesterday. Gerrard’s decision comes weeks after England’s worst World Cup for more than 50 years, though he insisted that had no bearing on his decision to bow out [...]
Kaymer may just pip McIlroy to career grand slam, says Player July 21, 2014 NINE-TIME Major winner Gary Player insists it is a matter of time before Open champion Rory McIlroy joins him in a select band of players to have won a career grand slam. But the South African believes Germany’s Martin Kaymer could beat the Northern Irishman to it, and warns that talk of an era of [...]
McIlroy eyes Masters next after Open triumph July 20, 2014 FORMER world No1 Rory McIlroy immediately set his sights on completing a career grand slam at the Masters next year after clinching a commanding wire-to-wire Open victory at Hoylake yesterday. McIlroy kept rivals Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler at arm’s length with a final round 71 to win by two shots and become only the [...]
Golf Comment: Rory’s back on form and that’s great for golf July 20, 2014 A WEEK ago I wasn’t sure that Rory McIlroy was ready to win his third Major but he blew away concerns with two blistering opening rounds and barely looked back. It was a magnificent display that not only showcased McIlroy’s talent but also his character, as he kept a cool head and fended off his [...]
Cook feels heat as India close in on second Test July 20, 2014 BELEAGUERED England captain Alastair Cook received the backing of his coaches last night despite yet another batting failure helping India to take a stranglehold on the second Test at Lord’s. Cook (22) was one of three late England wickets for just two runs as the hosts finished day four on 105-4, 214 short of the [...]
Sport Comment: Commonwealth Games is a feast of variety and purity July 20, 2014 WHY DO you watch sport, play sport, talk sport, love sport? For 12 days, starting Wednesday, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow offers another chance to question our commitment to something that is inherently, in a world of surface-to-air missiles and global conflict, just a glorious triviality. On Thursday you’ll surprise yourself, telling children and dogs [...]
Hamilton riles Button but limits his title damage July 20, 2014 BEMUSED Jenson Button took a swipe at former team-mate Lewis Hamilton after the pair collided during an eventful German Grand Prix at Hockenheim yesterday. Hamilton, who fought his way through the field from 20th on the grid to finish third, damaged his front wing by touching Button’s car as he tried to pass his fellow [...]