Bell eager to salvage pride January 31, 2012 ENGLAND batsman Ian Bell accepts criticism of his struggling side is justified but insists the selectors should keep faith with a group of players who are desperate to salvage pride by winning the third Test against Pakistan. The series has already been surrendered and with three middle order batsmen, Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan and Bell [...]
England ready to pounce on Scottish complacency January 31, 2012 OVERCONFIDENCE is likely to prove Scotland’s downfall in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup match with a revamped England side desperate to start their Six Nations campaign with a win that would help accelerate the rebuilding process following last year’s World Cup debacle, according to their coach Graham Rowntree. Scotland have been priced up as underdogs for the [...]
Speed death ‘accident’ riddle January 30, 2012 FORMER Wales manager Gary Speed may have killed himself accidentally, a coroner ruled yesterday, despite hearing evidence that the 42-year-old “talked in terms of taking his life” in the days before his death. Speed’s widow Louise said the couple had argued on the November night before he was found hanged in his garage, and that [...]
QPR move for Cisse as clubs eye deadline January 30, 2012 Maverick French striker ready to join Loftus Road revolution with transfer activity set to increase on the closing day of January sales QPR will go to the wire in a dramatic last ditch attempt to bolster their squad with as many as four new additions, including flamboyant £4m Lazio striker Djibril Cisse, before tonight’s transfer [...]
Redknapp cash not a payment, says Mandaric January 30, 2012 Former Portsmouth chairman tells court that £189k transfer was “seed money” for Spurs boss to invest in portfolio – not a bonus for profit from player sales THE DISPUTED payments at the centre of Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp’s tax evasion case were not bonuses but “seed money” to help him build an investment portfolio, his [...]
Time for solid Rock to kick on January 30, 2012 Englishman should be inspired by his landmark win and Ryder Cup incentive ROBERT ROCK took Sunday’s victory at the Abu Dhabi Championship with all the humility and good grace you’d expect from one of the nicest guys on the circuit, capping a hugely encouraging week for European golf. The 34-year-old seemed genuinely taken aback by [...]
Wimbledon champ Kvitova serves up awards challenge January 30, 2012 IN LESS than a week, Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will find out if she can add the prestigious Laureus Statuette to the historic silver salver she won on Centre Court last July, after beating Maria Sharapova in the ladies’ final. The Czech Republic’s Kvitova is one of the favourites to win the 2012 Laureus World [...]
Djokovic eyes French Open final January 30, 2012 HE MAY have proven himself the undisputed king of the men’s game with his gruelling Australian Open triumph, but Novak Djokovic has already identified his next target. The world No1, who beat Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s six-hour epic, has set his sights on reaching the final of the French Open, the only grand slam he [...]
Monty blames himself January 30, 2012 ENGLAND spinner Monty Panesar has attempted to deflect criticism from his side’s struggling batsmen by claiming he could have done more to avert Saturday’s embarrassing 10-wicket defeat against Pakistan. England were dismissed for 72 and conceded the series, but Panesar, who took seven wickets in the match, felt he could have better restricted Pakistan in [...]
New England captain Robshaw eager to make up for lost time January 30, 2012 NEW England captain Chris Robshaw doubted he would ever represent his country again following his omission from last year’s World Cup squad. The 25-year-old Harlequins skipper was yesterday installed as England captain for the first two matches of the Six Nations by interim head coach Stuart Lancaster. Robshaw was snubbed by previous head coach Martin [...]