Ireland missing star O’Driscoll August 2, 2011 RUGBY UNION: Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll is unlikely to feature in the upcoming friendly internationals against Scotland and France in the run up to September’s World Cup. O’Driscoll is nursing a shoulder and neck injury, but Ireland manager Paul McNaughton insists he will be fit for the tournament.
Barrage from Bresnan puts sorry India to the sword August 1, 2011 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss claims the nature of yesterday’s crushing 319-run win over India that put his side within touching distance of being ranked the best Test side on the planet, showed why their stay at the summit is destined to be a lengthy one. Set 478 to win after England’s tail wagged for the [...]
Options are Broad and plentiful after Trent Bridge romp August 1, 2011 THE RANKINGS may not reflect it yet, but there’s no doubting this England side are the best Test team on the planet right now. That India were steamrollered at Trent Bridge yesterday afternoon came as no surprise. The tourists had their opportunity when they won what looked like a vital toss and had England eight [...]
Chelsea to bank £13m for Zhirkov August 1, 2011 CHELSEA are poised to rake in £13m by offloading versatile Russia international Yuri Zhirkov to ambitious Anzhi Makhachkala. The move would help balance the books and free up squad space as the west Londoners prepare a third bid thought to be around £30m for Tottenham’s Luka Modric. Spurs have resisted Chelsea’s £22m and £27m offers [...]
Analysis: Are Red Bull really in crisis? August 1, 2011 JENSON BUTTON and McLaren’s win in Hungary on Sunday means Red Bull, previously so dominant with six victories in the first eight races of the year, have since failed to win in three (below left). But has the notion of their deterioration been overplayed? McLaren may have outscored them at the weekend, but it was [...]
Ashton laughs off kit row as Johnson axes Worsley and Strettle from squad August 1, 2011 ENGLAND wing Chris Ashton has defended the team’s New Zealand-baiting black away kit, insisting players don’t care what colour they wear. Martin Johnson’s men will debut the controversial change strip, which has riled the likes of All Black great Jonah Lomu, against Wales on Saturday. Ashton (far right) said: “You are more worried about playing [...]
Li reaps £45m from historic slam title August 1, 2011 FRENCH OPEN champion Li Na has illustrated the huge commercial value of Chinese athletes by becoming the world’s second highest earning sportswoman off the back of her first grand slam title. Li has signed sponsorship contracts worth up to £45m since her breakthrough triumph at Roland Garros in June and is now second only to [...]
Newcastle release Barton August 1, 2011 FOOTBALL: Newcastle United announced yesterday that Joey Barton will leave the club on a free transfer, despite having a year remaining on his contract. The club were expected sell the 28-year-old this summer but no offers were tabled.
Wales sweat over skipper Rees August 1, 2011 RUGBY UNION: Wales are hopeful their captain Matthew Rees will be fit to lead his country at next month’s World Cup despite being ruled out of Saturday’s game warm-up against England with a neck injury.
Bell benefits from India’s spirit levels July 31, 2011 ENGLAND batsman Ian Bell admitted he was fortunate to have been reinstated after a controversial run out, instigated by his own “stupidity”, largely overshadowed a brilliant match-turning century. Promoted to No3, a position he had struggled to assert himself in previously, Bell took the game away from India with an innings that belied the delicately [...]