Strauss set to face his biggest test January 24, 2012 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss admits protecting his side’s No1 Test ranking and turning the current series against Pakistan on its head represents one of the toughest challenges of his tenure. A miserable 10-wicket defeat in Dubai means England have no margin for error in the two remaining Tests. Strauss, who inherited the Test captaincy from [...]
Brave Palace miss out on Wembley after suffering penalty heartache January 24, 2012 CARDIFF 1 vs CRYSTAL PALACE 0 CRYSTAL PALACE manager Dougie Freedman was full of admiration for his players last night despite a brave rearguard action yielding only regret and a penalty shootout defeat, rather than the Carling Cup final appearance at Wembley the Scot insisted his side merited. The slender advantage Palace held from the [...]
Tevez counts £9.3m cost of row with City January 24, 2012 LIVERPOOL 1 vs MANCHESTER CITY 0 EXILED Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has forfeited £9.3m in earnings, it emerged last night after the Premier League leaders revealed they had found the player guilty of gross misconduct for going on strike. The 27-year-old hasn’t featured for Roberto Mancini’s side since September following his refusal to accept [...]
Federer douses flames for Nadal clash January 24, 2012 FOUR-TIME Australian Open champion Roger Federer has shrugged off suggestions a simmering row with Rafael Nadal will poison the occasion when the arch-rivals meet in the semi-finals tomorrow. Federer is still to drop a set in Melbourne this year after swiftly dispensing with Argentinian 11th seed Juan Martin del Potro 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 on the [...]
Clijsters dethrones Wozniacki as world No1 to reach semi-finals January 24, 2012 DEFENDING champion Kim Clijsters admits she is not ready to say goodbye to the Australian Open after marching into the semi-finals on her farewell appearance. Clijster reached the last four with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) defeat of Caroline Wozniacki that knocked the Dane off the top of the world rankings. The Belgian, 28, has declared [...]
England outcast Sheridan set to join British colony in Toulon January 24, 2012 ENGLAND prop Andrew Sheridan has effectively called time on his international career after agreeing a deal to join the growing British contingent at big-spending Toulon. Sheridan, who was not considered for England’s Six Nations squad because of a shoulder injury, will leave Sale for the Top 14 outfit at the end of the season. The [...]
Taiwo seals Rangers switch January 24, 2012 FOOTBALL: QPR have stepped up their January recruitment drive with the addition of AC Milan left-back Taye Taiwo, on loan until the end of the season. The Nigeria international, 26, has only made four appearances for the Italian giants since his summer move from Marseille and becomes the first signing of the Mark Hughes’s tenure.
Bekele cleared to take on Farah January 24, 2012 OLYMPICS: Ethiopian long-distance runner Kenenisa Bekele looks set to lock horns with one of Britain’s main Olympic medal hopes Mo Farah after the 34-year-old had his ban on competing lifted by his governing body. Bekele, the Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion, was banned from representing his country for not attending a mandatory training camp.
Brown to skipper Scotland January 24, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Edinburgh hooker Ross Ford will captain Scotland in their Six Nations opener against England a week on Saturday after head coach Andy Robinson revealed Saracens No8 Kelly Brown has been ruled out of the tournament with a leg injury.
Woods influenced by money January 24, 2012 GOLF: Tiger Woods has admitted receiving appearance money affects which tournaments he chooses to play. The former world No1 is rumoured to be getting more than £1.3m to play in this week’s HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship. Asked whether the payment influenced his scheduling, Woods said: “I’d have to say yes, it certainly does.”