Cricket Comment: My concerns over standard of opposition October 29, 2013 AS ENGLAND prepare to dust off their whites for the first practice match of this Ashes tour, it’s worth reiterating what these games are for. Results and even performances are secondary. In some previous tours England have done terribly but then shone when it matters. These three games are about getting all players time in [...]
Injury concerns hit England for Ashes warm-up October 29, 2013 ENGLAND captain Alastair Cook is a major doubt for the first warm-up match of the Ashes tour to Australia after being struck by a back problem. Cook did not take part in full training yesterday as the tourists prepared for a three-day game against a Western Australia Chairman’s XI, which starts early tomorrow morning in [...]
O’Connor completes Irish switch and hopes to bury colourful past October 29, 2013 NEW London Irish back James O’Connor feels ready to put his controversial past behind him and take the Premiership by storm. The 23-year-old had his contract terminated by the Australian Rugby Union earlier this month following a string of off-field misdemeanors and was also released by Super Rugby side Melbourne Rebels. But O’Connor, who has [...]
Care among 11 released by England October 29, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Scrum-half Danny Care heads a list of 11 players released by England back to their clubs ahead of Saturday’s international with Australia. Freddie Burns, Luther Burrell, Kyle Eastmond, Alex Goode, Tom Johnson, Matt Kvesic, Henry Thomas, Henry Trinder, Rob Webber and Christian Wade are also not required by coach Stuart Lancaster this weekend.
Bale on Ballon d’Or shortlist October 29, 2013 FOOTBALL: Former Spurs winger Gareth Bale has been included on the 23-man shortlist for world governing body Fifa’s Footballer of the Year award. Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery is the bookmakers’ favourite to lift the Ballon d’Or, won by Barcelona’s Lionel Messi for the last four years.
I’ll thrive on Aussie Ashes abuse, roars defiant Broad October 28, 2013 ENGLAND bowler Stuart Broad insists he remains unrepentant over his refusal to walk during the Ashes and has invited Australian fans to abuse him in the return series, insisting it will only inspire him. Broad sparked controversy by staying at the crease when officials failed to spot an edge during the first Test earlier this [...]
Storm delays McCoy’s bid for win milestone October 28, 2013 STORM St Jude, which ripped through parts of the United Kingdom yesterday, delayed jockey AP McCoy’s bid to move closer to recording his 4,000th career win. The 18-time champion jockey was scheduled for three rides at the Bangor course in Wales, but all racing was abandoned due to a waterlogged track following an inspection at [...]
Mourinho and I get on now, says Wenger, ahead of cup showdown October 28, 2013 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he has made peace with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as the former foes prepare to reignite their rivalry. Wenger and Mourinho regularly traded barbs during the Portuguese’s first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge and will meet for the first time since his return to English football in [...]
Dembele believes White Hart Lane pitch is hindering Spurs October 28, 2013 THE BELOW average size of the White Hart Lane pitch is contributing to Tottenham’s struggles to break teams down at home, according to midfielder Mousa Dembele. Spurs have won three of their five Premier League home matches this season, though needed penalties from striker Roberto Soldado to see off both Swansea and most recently Hull [...]
Football Comment: Indispensable Torres can make difference in Chelsea title quest October 28, 2013 WHEN I tipped Chelsea for the Premier League back in August, I did not for one moment think that the man to make the difference in the title race would be Fernando Torres. Yet on Sunday, when the next best team in the division visited Stamford Bridge for an excellent contest, he did. And on [...]