Panesar gamble pays off as England prosper in spin city January 25, 2012 WHETHER it was by design or triggered by unfortunate circumstance, England’s change of tack in Abu Dhabi may well prove to be the turning point in another tantalisingly poised series involving Andrew Strauss’s box office side. Last minute U-turns based on instinct are far from the modus operandi of an England regime built on meticulous [...]
Murray serves up semi-final but finds fault with technique January 25, 2012 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray has vowed to repair his faltering serve when he seeks revenge over world No1 Novak Djokovic in tomorrow’s Australian Open semi-final. Fourth seed Murray continued his serene progress at the year’s first grand slam with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 quarter-final triumph over Japan’s Kei Nishikori. But the one-sided scoreline masked a rustiness [...]
Sharapova fears nemesis Kvitova January 25, 2012 FOURTH seed Maria Sharapova admits she is daunted by the prospect of facing in-form Petra Kvitova, her Wimbledon final conqueror, in the Australian Open last four today. Sharapova set up a semi-final against second seed Kvitova with a routine 6-2, 6-3 victory over Ekaterina Makarova, who eliminated Serena Williams earlier this week. She said: “I’ve [...]
Rivals QPR and Chelsea call for calm January 25, 2012 WEST London rivals QPR and Chelsea have issued a joint warning to their fans reminding them of a zero tolerance stance towards discriminatory language ahead of Saturday’s hotly anticipated FA Cup fourth round clash at Loftus Road. Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand is due to face Chelsea counterpart John Terry for the first time since the [...]
Lancaster: I may rotate captaincy January 25, 2012 ENGLAND interim coach Stuart Lancaster has confirmed his intention to apply for the job on a permanent basis, but admits there is less certainty over who will captain the team during the Six Nations. Lancaster, who was handed the reins following the resignation of Martin Johnson in November, faces illustrious competition for the task of [...]
Ashton gets swallow dive OK January 25, 2012 Lancaster won’t stop wing performing trademark celebration ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster insists his determination to instil discipline in the squad will not extend to banning wing Chris Ashton from performing his trademark swallow dive. Former Saxons boss Lancaster, whose first match in charge is next week’s Six Nations opener against Scotland, has drilled his [...]
Robinson stirs pot for Calcutta Cup January 25, 2012 SCOTLAND coach Andy Robinson has fanned the flames ahead of next week’s Six Nations opener by expanding on his claim that England players have been guilty of arrogance. Former Red Rose boss Robinson, whose side host holders England on 4 February, added spice to the Calcutta Cup clash when he raised the issue earlier this [...]
McCoy poised for comeback January 25, 2012 HORSE RACING: Tony McCoy will make a return to the saddle this afternoon at Warwick for the first time since 30 December when he fractured his ribs and punctured a lung in a fall at Taunton. McCoy, the 16-time champion jockey, will ease his way back into action by partnering Nicky Henderson’s Key To The [...]
Deng upbeat on Olympic chances January 25, 2012 OLYMPICS: Chicago Bulls star and Great Britain forward Luol Deng insists he is determined to overcome a ligament injury in his wrist in time this summer’s London Games. “It could always be worse. Injuries happen,” said the 6ft 9in 26-year-old. “But I’m very confident that I’ll be fine. And I feel like without the surgery [...]
Hammers bid £7m for Jelavic January 25, 2012 FOOTBALL: Championship leaders West Ham have underlined their determination to make an instant return to the Premier League by making a £7m bid for Glasgow Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic. The Croatia international, who has scored 30 goals for Rangers, made the switch to Glasgow from Rapid Vienna in 2010 and is also being tracked by [...]