Aussies pegged back by Pakistan July 13, 2010 CRICKET: Australia squandered a healthy start to their first Test with Pakistan at Lord’s, slipping from 171-2 to finish day one on 229-9. Aussie batsmen Simon Katich and Michael Clarke hit 80 and 47 respectively and enjoyed a third-wicket stand that reaped 120 runs. But fast-bowler Mohamed Asif struck three wickets in seven balls either [...]
Yankees chief Steinbrenner dies July 13, 2010 BASEBALL: George Steinbrenner, the owner who turned the New York Yankees into a sporting superpower, died yesterday aged 80. Steinbrenner, who bought the franchise in 1973 and oversaw 11 Major League titles and seven World Series wins, suffered a massive heart attack. His family paid tribute in a statement, calling him “a visionary and a [...]
Powell inks one-year Wasps deal July 13, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Wales No8 Andy Powell has signed a one-year contract with Wasps after being released by Cardiff Blues. Powell, whose arrest for drink-driving a golf buggy on the motorway in February contributed to his Blues exit, is reunited with Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards at Wasps. “This is a pure rugby decision,” said the [...]
REIGN IN SPAIN July 12, 2010 SPAIN enjoyed a heroes’ welcome yesterday as legions of ecstatic fans and the country’s top dignitaries alike clamoured to greet the returning world champions. Around a million supporters lined the streets of Madrid to cheer the team, who celebrated a maiden World Cup triumph with an open-top bus parade. King Juan Carlos and Prime Minister [...]
Strauss inspires series win July 12, 2010 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss toasted a timely riposte from his side after inspiring them to an emphatic 144-run triumph that clinched a 2-1 one-day series win over Bangladesh. Strauss led by example, bludgeoning a boundary-laden 154 and sharing a 250-run partnership with Jonathan Trott as the hosts racked up an imposing 347-7 at Edgbaston. Recalled [...]
Webb had ‘hard task’ admits chief Blatter July 12, 2010 FIFA president Sepp Blatter yesterday leapt to the defence of under-fire referee Howard Webb for his handling of Sunday’s ill-tempered World Cup final in Johannesburg. Englishman Webb brandished 14 yellow cards and one red to Holland’s John Heitinga in an incident-packed game, which saw Spain lift the trophy for the first time, courtesy of 1-0 [...]
BBC take ITV to the cleaners in World Cup final ratings war July 12, 2010 THE BBC proved the big winner in the ratings war with ITV for the World Cup final with almost five times as many people tuning in to their coverage. More than 21 million British viewers saw Spain lift the trophy for the first time in their history with a 1-0 extra-time win over Holland. The [...]
Schumacher may quit, warns F1 boss Ecclestone July 12, 2010 FORMULA One boss Bernie Ecclestone says he doubts that seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher will stay in the sport if he continues to under-perform for his Mercedes team. Schumacher finished Sunday’s British Grand Prix in ninth place and he lies in the same spot in the standings with 36 points – less than half the [...]
When chips were down, captain shone July 12, 2010 aI’D like to have been a fly on the wall of the England dressing room in Bristol after their defeat to Bangladesh on Saturday night. But while I’m sure some of the choice words used would’ve turned the place blue, it certainly did the trick. England’s resurgence in limited-overs cricket over the last nine months [...]
Dutch anti-football earns no sympathy from legend Cruyff July 12, 2010 DUTCH icon Johann Cruyff has torn into the Holland side, insisting they deserved to lose the World Cup final for adopting dirty, vulgar tactics. Cruyff is the poster boy for the Dutch concept of Total Football, having starred in the 1970s national team that wowed fans with their free-flowing style. And the former Barcelona coach [...]