Murray to face Berdych in Dubai February 29, 2012 TENNIS: British No1 Andy Murray overcame Swiss qualifier Marco Chiudinelli in round two of the Dubai Championships. Murray, who won 6-3, 6-4, will play Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals.
Ireland unchanged for France February 29, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Ireland trio Rob Kearney, Gordon D’Arcy, Cian Healy and Sean O’Brien have all overcome injuries and feature in an unchanged side that will face France in Saturday’s rearranged Six Nations match in Paris. For Les Bleus, meanwhile, Clement Poitrenaud comes in at full-back for Maxime Medard while Julien Bonnaire replaces Louis Picamoles.
Pearce and England set for acid test February 28, 2012 Interim boss and fringe players can take a step towards the Euros by impressing against Holland ENGLAND vs HOLLAND ENGLAND caretaker manager Stuart Pearce has urged his squad to cast aside the negativity surrounding the state of the national team and use tonight’s friendly against Holland to make concrete cases for Euro 2012 selection. Without [...]
Test axe cruel but it’s not the last we’ll see of Morgan February 28, 2012 ENGLAND’S selectors displayed a hitherto unseen ruthless streak yesterday when they announced Eoin Morgan had been axed from the Test squad that will tour Sri Lanka next month. Clearly Morgan struggled out in Abu Dhabi and Dubai against Pakistan’s spinners, averaging just over 13 from three Tests, but he was hardly alone there and considering [...]
Struggling Villa announce record losses of £54m February 28, 2012 ASTON VILLA risk falling foul of European Financial Fair Play rules after the Premier League side yesterday announced record annual losses of £54m. Villa confirmed the overall loss for the year up to 31 May 2011 represents a significant increase from £37.6m, but does not incorporate the £37m the club recouped in player sales following [...]
Cipriani set for Sale as fly-half eyes resurrection February 28, 2012 ENGLAND outcast Danny Cipriani is poised to confirm his return to the Premiership with Sale as the wayward star looks to resurrect his international career – just days after his latest off-field scrape. Cipriani, who has been playing for Melbourne Rebels in the southern hemisphere’s Super 15 league since 2010, is believed to be in [...]
Hart flattered to be candidate for captaincy February 28, 2012 GOALKEEPER Joe Hart admits captaining England would be “amazing” but insists it is still “a long way off” for the Manchester City No1. Hart (inset) has been touted as a possible skipper for tonight’s friendly against Holland, a notion lent credibility by his nomination for media duties on the eve of the match. But he [...]
Murray struggles in Dubai February 28, 2012 TENNIS: Britain’s Andy Murray overcame rustiness to beat Germany’s Michael Berrer in his first match since last month’s Australian Open. World No4 Murray won 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 at the Dubai Championships to set up a second round match with Swiss qualifier Marco Chiudinelli.
Wasps duo in contract boost February 28, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Wasps pair Tim Payne and Hugo Southwell have signed contract extensions with the Premiership outfit. England prop Payne, 32, will bring up a decade at the club next season, while Scotland full-back Southwell has been ever-present since his summer arrival.
England death star Dernbach seals dramatic series victory February 27, 2012 ENGLAND Twenty20 skipper Stuart Broad insists his side are on course to defend their world crown later this year after a masterful display of death bowling from Jade Dernbach ensured a nerve-jangling five-run series clinching victory over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. Kevin Pietersen continued his recent rehabilitation with the bat, striking an unbeaten 62 from [...]