Cuts won’t affect London 2012 May 24, 2010 OLYMPICS: Olympic chiefs insist the government’s £27m of budget cuts from the London 2012 Games will not affect its programming. The Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition announced yesterday that the cuts are to be made as part of the £6.2bn of savings in public spending. But John Armitt, chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) – the [...]
Joyce returns to Irish roots May 24, 2010 CRICKET: Sussex opener Ed Joyce has turned his back on England to resume his international career with Ireland. The 31-year-old Dubliner, who played 17 one-dayers for England under residency grounds, is requesting special dispensation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) to play for the Irish in the 2011 World Cup. “While I believe I’m good [...]
Big Buck’s is Horse of the Year May 24, 2010 RACING: Champion hurdler Big Buck’s has been named the 2010 Horse of the Year. The unbeaten Cheltenham and Aintree Festival winner, trained by Paul Nicholls, won 32 per cent of 1,500 online votes to claim the award, beating Imperial Commander, Kauto Star, Denman and Binocular. Meanwhile, Kauto Star, has been given a rating of 190 [...]
Rees signs two-year deal May 24, 2010 RUGBY UNION: England flanker Tom Rees has agreed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at Wasps until 2013. Club captain Rees, 25, recovered from two shoulder operations to make his 100th appearance for the Premiership club this season. “Tom is a player who embodies what Wasps is about,” said director of rugby Tony [...]
Capello set to run rule over fringe stars May 23, 2010 ENGLAND vs MEXICO live on ITV1, kick-off 8pm IF the World Cup constitutes the greatest stage, then England’s players can consider tonight’s friendly their final audition for a leading role. Head coach Fabio Capello will use the meeting with Mexico to test the condition and form of a handful of players as he looks to [...]
Wilkinson scare as Blues make history May 23, 2010 CARDIFF BLUES (28) vs TOULON (21) ENGLAND fly-half Jonny Wilkinson is a major doubt for the summer tour of Australia and New Zealand after suffering a suspected broken rib during Toulon’s Amlin Challenge Cup defeat. Wilkinson left the pitch after hurting himself taking a penalty early in the second half and will undergo a scan [...]
Morgan gets Test call as Colly rests up May 23, 2010 TWENTY20 hero Eoin Morgan has been given the chance to stake his claim for a place in England’s Test side when the series against Bangladesh begins on Thursday. Morgan, impressive during the recent World Cup triumph, benefits from the omission of Paul Collingwood, who captained the Twenty20 team to glory in the Caribbean but needs [...]
Inter chief bidding to keep Mourinho May 23, 2010 JOSE MOURINHO may seem bound for Real Madrid, but Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti insists he has not yet given up hope of persuading his manager to stay. Even before Mourinho guided Inter to Champions League glory against Bayern Munich on Saturday evening in the Spanish capital, talk was rife of the Portuguese returning to [...]
Khan scoops shock win at Wentworth May 23, 2010 UNFANCIED Englishman Simon Khan admitted his disbelief after producing the biggest last-day comeback ever seen at the BMW PGA Championship to land the European Tour’s flagship tournament. Khan, ranked 471st in the world when he received a last-minute invite on Monday, was tied for 13th when he teed off for his final round at a [...]
Play-off victory earns Blackpool a £95m payday May 23, 2010 BLACKPOOL’S entire squad may be paid less collectively than Chelsea captain John Terry, but all that could be about to change after the unfashionable seaside outfit scooped football’s biggest jackpot of all. The Tangerines’ 3-2 victory over Cardiff in Saturday’s Championship play-off final earned them a return to the top-flight after a 39-year absence and, [...]