Idowu slapped with driving ban October 7, 2013 ATHLETICS: Former world champion triple jumper Phillips Idowu has received a two-year ban and been fined £145 after admitting to drinking and driving at Chelmsford Magistrates Court yesterday. The court heard how the 34-year-old had left his house in Epping during the night to go to a nearby hotel and was stopped by Essex Police [...]
England sweating on Westwood October 7, 2013 RUGBY LEAGUE: England are set to learn today whether forward Ben Westwood will be available for their opening World Cup game against Australia on 26 October. Westwood, of Warrington Wolves, has been charged by the Rugby Football League for punching Wigan Warriors’ Blake Green during Saturday’s Super League grand final after the incident was missed [...]
Strauss needs heart operation October 7, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Ireland hooker Richardt Strauss requires surgery on a heart condition, club side Leinster have confirmed, and will miss the rest of the season. The 27-year-old, born in South Africa, has been capped four times by Ireland since making his debut last year after being allowed to switch allegiances having lived in the country [...]
Champ Watson falls at first hurdle October 7, 2013 TENNIS: British No2 Heather Watson’s defence of her Japan Open title ended in round one yesterday, following a straight sets defeat to Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig. Watson, who has suffered with leg and back injuries this year, as well as glandular fever, lost 6-4, 6-4 to world No48 Puig, who reached the last-16 at Wimbledon [...]
Chambers completes Essex exit October 7, 2013 CRICKET: Newly-promoted Northamptonshire have signed bowler Maurice Chambers from Essex on a two-year deal. The 26-year-old took four wickets in three first-class games for Essex this year, before ending the season on loan at Warwickshire.
A rip-roaring adaptation of a Scandinavian classic October 6, 2013 THEATRE GHOSTS Almeida Theatre | By Alex Dymoke Four Stars THE PUBLICATION of Ibsen’s Ghosts in 1881 was met with total silence. The play was so at odds with the conventional morality that Norwegian critics dared not even raise their voices to condemn it. The British press were not so shy. A column in a [...]
Fringe production of Vietnam play is a moderate success October 6, 2013 THEATRE PVT WARS The Space | By Daniel O’Mahony Three Stars STAGED IN a cleverly converted church on the Isle of Dogs, this production from The Barebones Project is about Vietnam veterans; at least, you’re assured it is. Adorning the walls of the theatre are pictures from the conflict, and over the PA plays Hendrix’s [...]
Another striking play in The Shed at The National October 6, 2013 THEATRE THE WORLD OF EXTREME HAPPINESS The Shed | By Xenobe Purvis Three Stars A MAN describes the taste of pigeon excrement, his wife gives birth, praying with every eye-popping push that her child will be a son, and a newly-born daughter is thrown to the slop bucket, all within the space of ten minutes. [...]
Premier League: Wenger hails Wilshere spark as battling Arsenal stay top October 6, 2013 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 vs ARSENAL 1 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger praised midfielder Jack Wilshere for bouncing back with an important equaliser at the Hawthorns yesterday, despite being unhappy that the 21-year-old was caught smoking a cigarette last week. The Gunners maintained their 11-match unbeaten run – and position at the top of the Premier [...]
Djokovic admits win over new No1 Nadal was critical October 6, 2013 SIX-TIME grand slam champion Novak Djokovic loses his world No1 ranking to Rafael Nadal today and admitted yesterday’s victory over the Spaniard in the China Open final was a timely confidence boost. Djokovic won 6-3, 6-4 in Beijing, but still relinquished his 11-month stay at the top such has been Nadal’s fine form in 2013. [...]