Government forecasts early exit May 13, 2014 ENGLAND have a 46 per cent chance of failing to advance from their World Cup group, according to a government study assessing the benefits of extending pub opening hours. The Home Office used data provided by gambling website Betfair.com to draw their conclusions, rating England’s chances of progressing past the group stage at 54 per [...]
World Cup squad news May 13, 2014 Torres set for summer in Brazil WORLD champions Spain have named Chelsea’s struggling £50m striker Fernando Torres in their provisional 30-man World Cup squad, but Tottenham’s Roberto Soldado has been overlooked. Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa, part of the team that won 2010 tournament in South Africa, has been omitted. Nasri and Clichy omitted by France [...]
Cricket Comment: Sri Lanka contests are the ideal auditions for England wannabes May 13, 2014 AS INTERESTING as a handful of matches against one of the best short-form nations in the world will be, I’ll also be fascinated by the sub-plots of the forthcoming clashes with Sri Lanka. England are a side rebuilding under a new coach after a winter of humiliation, so there are places up for grabs and [...]
Carberry recalled after selectors bury the hatchet May 13, 2014 ENGLAND chiefs insist their bad blood with Michael Carberry is firmly in the past after recalling the Hampshire batsman for Twenty20 and one-day matches against Sri Lanka. Carberry’s selection comes after he criticised his omission from the one-day series that followed the Ashes whitewash earlier this year, while seamer Tim Bresnan returns to both squads [...]
Ticketmaster suffers deja vu as Glasgow 2014 sales suspended May 13, 2014 TICKETMASTER was at the centre of another row over ticketing for a major sporting event last night after Commonwealth Games chiefs were forced to suspend online and telephone sales indefinitely. Organisers said the company, whose services for the London 2012 Olympics were also suspended temporarily, experienced technical problems after 100,000 extra tickets went on sale [...]
Flintoff set for Lancashire return May 13, 2014 FORMER England cricket captain Andrew Flintoff (left) is in talks over a sensational comeback with Lancashire four years after he retired. Flintoff, 36, has been training with the county and could play for them in this season’s Twenty20 Blast competition. The all-rounder may take up a coaching role with the team if a deal can [...]
Murray targets strong Wimbledon May 13, 2014 TENNIS: World No8 Andy Murray hopes a return to his best form can coincide with the defence of his Wimbledon crown this year. By his own admission Murray’s form in the last 12 months has been “patchy” but, he said: “I’d like to be playing my best tennis by the French and then Wimbledon.”
Cook puts Sri Lanka to the sword May 13, 2014 CRICKET: England captain Alastair Cook struck a quickfire 71 as Essex beat Sri Lanka by 22 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method at Chelmsford. Rain reduced the 50-over tour match to 21 overs each, with Essex posting 161-5 and Sri Lanka reached just 146-9 in reply.
Henson given Wales’ second chance May 13, 2014 RUGBY UNION: Head coach Warren Gatland has opened the door for utility back Gavin Henson’s return to the Wales team after he was selected to play in a trial match for the international “probables” against the “possibles”. Henson, 32, last featured against England in August 2011.
Melck cleared to play in semi-final May 13, 2014 RUGBY UNION: Flanker Justin Melck is free to play in Saracens’ Premiership semi-final this weekend, after his red card picked up against Leicester was overturned by the Rugby Football Union. Melck was sent off after being adjudged to have gouged Neil Briggs on Saturday.