Downton lands leading ECB role October 16, 2013 FORMER wicketkeeper and City-based stockbroker Paul Downton has been named England and Wales Cricket Board’s new managing director. The 56-year-old made 30 Test appearances for England, but was forced to retire after being hit in the eye by a bail and subsequently embarked on a career with Cazenove, who later merged with JPMorgan. Downton will [...]
Sport Comment: You’re giving us hope, Roy, and we don’t want it October 16, 2013 IT’S NOT the despair. I can stand the despair; it’s the hope, John Cleese once wailed. As, no doubt, have countless England supporters, judging by the current collective cautiousness. Because England seems fairly unanimous. We are not being lured into the trap of getting excited about next summer’s World Cup just because Roy Hodgson’s men [...]
Southgate: I must tame warring team-mates October 16, 2013 ENGLAND Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate believes restoring harmony among his young squad could be the most challenging aspect of his tenure, following a bust-up involving rising star Ravel Morrison. The on-field clash between Morrison and team-mate Wilfried Zaha soured the young Lions’ 5-0 victory over Lithuania at Portman Road on Tuesday night, with the pair [...]
Latin Americans book spots in Brazil as line-up takes shape October 16, 2013 CHILE, Ecuador and Honduras have taken the number of teams qualified for the World Cup to 21 after they sealed their places in Brazil early yesterday morning. Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez scored as Chile narrowly beat Ecuador 2-1, ensuring they took third and fourth spots in the South American qualifying group. Victory over Argentina was not [...]
India complete record run chase October 16, 2013 CRICKET: India successfully completed the second-highest run chase in one-day international history to beat Australia by nine wickets in Jaipur yesterday. Having been set an unlikely 360 to win off 50 overs opener Rohit Sharma scored an unbeaten 141, while Virat Kohli reached 100 not out off just 52 deliveries to steer India home with [...]
Saracens swoop for centre Bosch October 16, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Aviva Premiership pacesetters Saracens have signed Argentina centre Marcelo Bosch from Biarritz. The 29-year-old has won 23 caps for the Pumas, scoring three tries. Meanwhile, former Sarries coach Eddie Jones, now in charge of Japan, was admitted to hospital in Tokyo yesterday after showing signs of a minor stroke.
Hodgson’s pride in Lions October 15, 2013 Rooney and Gerrard sink Poles and send England into World Cup finals in Brazil ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson toasted the proudest moment of his career last night after a nervy but exhilarating 2-0 home victory over Poland cemented his team’s qualification for next year’s World Cup in Brazil. Striker Wayne Rooney’s 41st-minute header eased jitters [...]
Farah to forget Commonwealth Games and focus on marathon October 15, 2013 DOUBLE Olympic champion Mo Farah is set to snub next year’s Commonwealth Games and focus on preparing for the London Marathon. Farah followed up his 5,000m and 10,000m winning performances at London 2012 with gold medals in the same events at this year’s World Championships in Moscow. But he now seems likely to resist the [...]
Aussies can tempt Sir Alex out of retirement, says ex-United star October 15, 2013 HE MAY be only five months into his retirement but former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already received an SOS to take charge of Australia at next summer’s World Cup. Ex-United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich has urged football chiefs in his native Australia to break the bank and hire the Scot, who stepped down [...]
Brazil beckons for bold England October 15, 2013 Old heads shine on big occasion as Hodgson’s men seal World Cup place WORLD CUP QUALIFIER ENGLAND 2 POLAND 0 EVER-DEPENDABLE duo Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard steadied the nerves of a nation with a goal in each half to seal England’s place at next summer’s World Cup in Brazil. As Ukraine, the only team [...]