New captain stunned by Strauss exit August 29, 2012 INCOMING Test captain Alastair Cook admits he was shocked by the sudden nature of Andrew Strauss’s retirement from cricket. One-day skipper Cook only heard the news on Tuesday evening, with the rest of his 50-over colleagues, after his side’s defeat to South Africa in Southampton. “It was a sad dressing room when we found out,” [...]
Cook could be in for a rough start as England’s new leader August 29, 2012 WHEN Andrew Strauss took over as captain he inherited an England team in a desperate state, following the fiasco of Peter Moores’s and Kevin Pietersen’s departures. Now, as he leaves, the team is in much better health, and for that he deserves great credit. His decision to retire is terrific, because the temptation to stay [...]
Fulham fight for Berbatov as £15m Dembele departs for Spurs August 29, 2012 FULHAM last night joined the accelerating race for Manchester United’s Dimitar Berbatov after confirming the sale of £15m Moussa Dembele to Tottenham. The arrival of Robin van Persie at Old Trafford has further diminished Berbatov’s ranking within a striker’s hierarchy in which he was already fourth choice, and though he yesterday appeared on the verge [...]
Walcott willing to remain with Arsenal after talks with Wenger August 29, 2012 ARSENAL winger Theo Walcott appears set to remain at the club for at least this summer following productive talks with manager Arsene Wenger. Less than a year remains on Walcott’s contract but despite his rejection of a five-year, £75,000-a-week contract on Friday, Arsenal believe he wishes to stay and only a potential offer from Manchester [...]
Robson rises as Clijsters falls at the US Open August 29, 2012 BRITISH No3 Laura Robson last night secured the finest victory of her promising career to defeat Kim Clijsters 7-6 (7-4,) 7-6 (7-5) at the US Open to advance to a third round tie with China’s Li Na. It took 126 minutes for Clijsters to fall but in achieving such an astonishing victory, Robson highlighted a [...]
Turner: Home support will be crucial at London 2012 August 29, 2012 FOLLOWING last night’s opening ceremony, the London 2012 Paralympic Games today begin with Great Britain targeting a total of 103 medals that wheelchair basketball player Helen Turner believes the home crowd can significantly influence. Turner is today likely to feature for Great Britain’s women against Holland yet for all of her experience – London 2012 [...]
City could face Juve, Real and Dortmund August 29, 2012 THE group stage draw for this season’s Uefa Champions League will take place today, with the 32 teams allocated into four pots based on their Uefa coefficient. All 32 teams will be drawn into eight groups of four, but teams from the same country and same pot cannot be drawn against each other. Given Premier [...]
Rooney denies United exit talk August 29, 2012 FOOTBALL: Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has dismissed reports that he could be set to leave the club as “absolute rubbish”. He said via Twitter: “Read the nonsense in the papers and heard what people have to say. absolute rubbish #heretostay [sic].”
Stoke made £5m bid for Adam August 29, 2012 FOOTBALL: Stoke had made a £5m bid to sign Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam. The midfielder is no longer wanted by manager Brendan Rodgers. Jay Spearing is also expected to leave the club.
Blackburn move for Rhodes August 29, 2012 FOOTBALL: Blackburn are today expected to sign Jordan Rhodes from Huddersfield for £8m.