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.
Hodgson: England kids are alright May 12, 2014 Barkley, Shaw and Sterling are ready to shine at a World Cup, says manager ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson insists his youthful squad is ready to challenge for the World Cup and has refuted claims that some starlets have been picked solely to gain major tournament experience. Hodgson yesterday confirmed a 23-man party for next month’s [...]
Rio quits United but set to play on May 12, 2014 MANCHESTER United defender Rio Ferdinand last night vowed to carry on playing after announcing that he is to end his 12-year spell at Old Trafford this summer. Ferdinand, 35, was not offered a new contract by United chiefs but insisted he still felt “fit and healthy, ready for a new challenge and looking forward to [...]
Commonwealth Games boost as Farah pledges to race in Glasgow May 12, 2014 DOUBLE Olympic champion Mo Farah has finally committed to competing at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – but has not yet chosen his events. The Briton, who won 5,000m and 10,000m gold at London 2012, has recently stepped up to marathon distance but is planning a return to shorter races in Scotland. Farah’s announcement [...]
Old hand Lampard proves indispensable to Hodgson May 12, 2014 CHANGE is in the air for England, it would seem, but Frank Lampard is one element of previous regimes that manager Roy Hodgson is not so keen to dispense with just yet. Hodgson has proven willing to effectively end the international career of Ashley Cole, see through his warning that Jermain Defoe’s move to Toronto [...]
Championship: Austin’s double sends QPR into Wembley final May 12, 2014 QUEENS PARK RANGERS 2 WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 QPR WIN 2-1 ON AGGREGATE QUEENS Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton hailed the team’s “band of brothers” after they stayed on course for an immediate return to the Premier League – and an £80m windfall – last night. Striker Charlie Austin struck twice, including an extra-time winner, as [...]
Lerner ready to sell Villa and hopeful of £200m May 12, 2014 ASTON Villa owner Randy Lerner is hopeful of fetching as much as £200m for the club after officially putting them up for sale yesterday. The American, who bought Villa for £63m eight years ago and has spent around £90m net on transfer fees, said he felt it was time “to look for new leadership” for [...]
Golf Comment: Kaymer is back and it’s brilliant news for Europe May 12, 2014 MARTIN Kaymer is one of those gifted players who found superstardom at a very young age, in his case by winning the USPGA Championship, but decided to try to improve by remodelling his game. Sometimes, though, it’s best to play the cards that life has dealt you. In golf you have to play naturally, and [...]