Newcastle’s Sunday Best means defeat for Hughes January 15, 2012 NEWCASTLE (1) vs QPR (0) QPR manager Mark Hughes insists he is confident his new side is capable of escaping the relegation zone despite the first game of his tenure ending in defeat at Newcastle yesterday. Leon Best’s nimble 37th minute finish was enough to move Newcastle ahead of Liverpool into sixth place and condemn [...]
England must show they can play the waiting game January 15, 2012 ENGLAND’S commitment to attack was perfectly illustrated by a determination to force victories in the two warm-up matches ahead of their three-Test series against Pakistan, but Andrew Strauss’s side may have to curb their natural instincts if they are to be victorious this winter against highly skilled opponents. Conditions will favour the batsmen and suit [...]
Broad faces fitness test ahead of series opener January 15, 2012 ENGLAND have been left sweating on the availability of fast bowler Stuart Broad ahead of tomorrow’s first Test against Pakistan after he was struck on his left ankle by new ball partner James Anderson during a net session yesterday. Broad, who was left with “heavy bruising” and unable to take part in fielding drills, faces [...]
Backs thrust Saracens to brink of last eight place January 15, 2012 SARACENS (20) vs BIARRITZ (16) SARACENS boss Mark McCall praised his blossoming English backs after putting one foot in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals with a tense defeat of Biarritz. Scrum-half Ben Spencer scored the only try for the Premiership champions, while centre Owen Farrell, who received his first call-up last week, held his nerve to [...]
Spurs can still win title, says Parker January 15, 2012 TOTTENHAM midfielder Scott Parker believes his side remain genuine Premier League title contenders despite Saturday’s failure to beat struggling Wolves at White Hart Lane. Victory would have seen Harry Redknapp’s side draw level with leaders Manchester City, albeit having played one game more, but they had to settle for the point they salvaged thanks to [...]
Murray relishing Lendl work ethic January 15, 2012 HE MAY have been billed as the man to combat Andy Murray’s psychological weaknesses, but the British No1 believes new coach Ivan Lendl will also fine-tune his physical qualities. Lendl, who eventually shook off a nearly-man tag to win eight grand slams, has been tasked with helping the world No4 overcome his own inability to [...]
Robson heads six-strong Brit pack in Australia January 15, 2012 TEENAGER Laura Robson is out to upset the odds today when the largest British contingent at a foreign grand slam for 20 years begin their quest at the Australian Open. Robson, 17, faces a formidable task in the form of 13th seed Jelena Jankovic in the fourth match scheduled on Margaret Court Arena this morning. [...]
Nadal frustrated by silent Federer January 15, 2012 Former world No1 Rafael Nadal believes his arch rival Roger Federer should be playing a more active role in challenging the tennis authorities. The Spaniard, along with Britain’s Andy Murray, raised concerns about a punishing schedule inflicted upon the world’s top players after last year’s US Open and Nadal feels Federer could be doing more [...]
Dhoni banned from fourth Test January 15, 2012 India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has become the first skipper to be suspended for bowling a slow over-rate and will miss the final Test of his side’s series against Australia. Michael Clarke’s side took an unassailable 3-0 lead by winning the Perth Test by an innings and 37 runs. Dhoni will miss the fourth Test [...]
Elson denied first win by Grace January 15, 2012 England’s Jamie Elson narrowly failed to claim his maiden European Tour victory after South Africa’s Branden Grace hung on to win the Johannesburg Open by a single shot. Elson carded a nine-under-par 63 to give him the clubhouse lead all afternoon, but Grace kept his nerve on the back nine to card a steady final [...]