Captains spark war of words June 3, 2014 ENGLAND captain Alastair Cook was at loggerheads with Sri Lanka counterpart Angelo Matthews last night, following the manner of Jos Buttler’s dismissal at Edgbaston that proved pivotal in landing the tourists a six-wicket win and the one-day international series. The home side, batting first with the series evenly poised at 2-2, were in a promising [...]
Wayne Rooney handed wing role for Ecuador friendly June 3, 2014 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson is set to deploy Wayne Rooney on his unfavoured left-flank against Ecuador tonight as he ponders using his most experienced forward in the same role at the World Cup. Rooney has struggled for form and fitness recently and produced an uninspiring display in Friday’s 3-0 win over Peru – his 89th [...]
Andy Murray set for sense of deja vu June 3, 2014 EXACTLY two years since he last stepped into the cauldron of Court Philippe Chatrier, Britain’s Andy Murray returns today with a sense of deja vu, attempting to silence the natives, slay one of their heroes and keep injury problems under control. With last remaining Frenchman and lowest seed left in the draw Gael Monfils standing [...]
Champagne pours cold water on Qatar World Cup vote talk June 3, 2014 CALLING a re-vote for the right to host the 2022 World Cup, following allegations of corruption surrounding Qatar’s winning bid, is “too simplistic”, a leading world football official has claimed. Jerome Champagne, who worked for Fifa for more than a decade and is running to be the governing body’s president, yesterday cast doubt on the [...]
Go for broke in Brazil, Shearer urges England June 3, 2014 FORMER England captain Alan Shearer has urged Roy Hodgson to throw caution to the wind at this month’s World Cup. Shearer wants Hodgson to field a youthful team instructed to take the fight to the opposition in Brazil, rather than a repeat of the cautious approach that resulted in a quarter-final defeat at Euro 2012. [...]
Bouchard thrilled to meet childhood hero Sharapova June 3, 2014 FORMER Wimbledon junior champion Eugenie Bouchard has revealed she regards a childhood photo with tomorrow’s French Open semi-final opponent Maria Sharapova as one her proudest possessions, as she prepares to take on her idol. The 20-year-old became the first Canadian woman to reach the last-four at Roland Garros with a 7-6, 2-6, 7-5 victory over [...]
Australia’s drift no concern for jockey O’Brien June 3, 2014 JOCKEY Joseph O’Brien has given Investec Derby favourite Australia a glowing recommendation despite his mount drifting in the betting yesterday. Australia, trained by O’Brien’s father Aidan, eased from odds-on to odds-against with some bookmakers four days before Saturday’s Classic at Epsom. But Aidan, who is bidding to repeat the father-and-son Derby success of 2012 when [...]
Twelvetrees to miss first Test June 3, 2014 ENGLAND’S selection dilemma ahead of the Saturday’s first Test against New Zealand grew last night with centre Billy Twelvetrees seemingly out with an ankle injury. The 25-year-old has been sidlelined for a month and is set to be replaced by Bath’s Kyle Eastmond – winner of two caps – when head coach Stuart Lancaster names [...]
Premiership ponders Hawkeye use June 3, 2014 RUGBY UNION: Premiership Rugby have opened talks with Hawkeye over an alternative to the current Television Match Official system used, founder Paul Hawkins has revealed. The system would help determine whether the ball has crossed the line, though video replays would still be required to ensure it had been grounded.
England well beaten in World Cup June 3, 2014 HOCKEY: England’s World Cup semi-final hopes are hanging in the balance following yesterday’s 3-0 defeat to China. As Alex Danson celebrated winning her 150th cap, two goals from Yang Peng, plus Meiyu Liang’s strike from a penalty corner leave England fifth in Group B with three matches to play.