Strauss defiant as spotlight falls on under-performing skipper March 30, 2012 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss admits his position is under pressure after the tourists slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat of the winter, losing the first Test in Sri Lanka by 75 runs yesterday. Batsman Jonathan Trott’s 112 gave England hope of successfully chasing a record 340, but the spin of Rangana Herath, who finished the [...]
Jayawardene showed tourists the way but batsmen flopped March 30, 2012 ENGLAND’S problem is their batting approach to spin and slow pitches, and they blew this match in the first innings. Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene gave them the perfect example of how to play these conditions with his immaculate first-innings century. But instead England batted without a strategy, were too desperate and frantic in their [...]
Robshaw lifts Quins for Saracens clash March 30, 2012 HARLEQUINS stand-in skipper George Robson believes the return of captain Chris Robshaw is the perfect fillip ahead of tomorrow’s Aviva Premiership table-topping clash with Saracens at Wembley. Robshaw, 25, is back to bolster the Quins pack for the first time since captaining England to second place in the Six Nations, with revenge on the menu [...]
Football can’t tackle racism, insists Barnes March 30, 2012 FORMER England star John Barnes insists football’s anti-racism efforts are doomed to failure as long as the problem exists in wider society. High-profile on-field incidents this season have prompted fears of a growing problem, but Jamaica-born Barnes, who was targeted as a player, believes the game’s attempts to combat racism are superficial. “We are looking [...]
Scotland stick with Robinson despite slump March 30, 2012 SCOTLAND have retained head coach Andy Robinson despite finishing bottom of the Six Nations and being on their worst run of defeats for 14 years. Former England boss Robinson vowed to consider his future after finishing the championship with the wooden spoon and extending his losing streak to seven matches. But Scottish Rugby Union chiefs [...]
Ferguson questions Vieira remark March 30, 2012 FOOTBALL: Sir Alex Ferguson has questioned whether Manchester City executive Patrick Vieira broke rules by suggesting officials favour Manchester United at home. “He’s more or less saying all the referees have been wrong. You’re not supposed to discuss referees.”
Saints star Clark gets 32-week ban March 30, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Northampton’s Calum Clark has been banned until November after admitting hyperextending Rob Hawkins’ arm, leaving the Leicester hooker with a broken elbow, in Saints’ LV= Cup final defeat earlier this month.
Murray ready for Nadal showdown March 30, 2012 TENNIS: Britain’s Andy Murray will today meet world No2 Rafael Nadal for a place in the Miami Masters final. The Scot came from a set down to beat Serb Janko Tipsarevic in Wednesday’s quarter-final.
Unexposed four-year-old Cocozza can take Lincoln March 29, 2012 FINDING the winner of the Lincoln used to be nigh on impossible, as three 100/1 winners before 1947 and seven winners priced at 33/1 or bigger since the race moved to Doncaster proves. However, the race now has a maximum field of 22 (for safety reasons) which gives us more chance of unearthing the potential [...]
Japanese runners still underrated on the global stage March 29, 2012 VICTOIRE Pisa, tipped in this column 12 months ago, caused a minor upset when landing last year’s Dubai World Cup at 12/1 and the Japanese hold strong claims again tomorrow night. There is a general perception that Japanese Group One form doesn’t quite match up to the same classification on the global stage, even though [...]