England charge into last four in a tale of cramp and style September 27, 2009 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss hailed a best-ever batting display as England waltzed into the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy against all odds at the expense of hosts South Africa. Strauss’ men produced a batting masterclass in smashing the No1-ranked Proteas for a massive 323-8 – their sixth highest 50-over total of all-time. Man-of-the-match Owais Shah (98) [...]
Saudi Prince eyes 50 per cent stake September 27, 2009 A SAUDI prince has declared he is close to buying a stake in Liverpool – and wants to snap up as much as 50 per cent of the club. Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah is ready to pay up to £350m for half of the Premier League giants, he said yesterday. Prince Faisal, who [...]
Hamilton on song in Singapore as Button takes another step closer to his championship dream September 27, 2009 BRITAIN’S Jenson Button toasted the sweetest fifth-placed finish of his career yesterday at the Singapore Grand Prix, after tightening his grip on a maiden world championship. Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton won the night race but Button increased his lead over Brawn GP team-mate and nearest title rival Rubens Barrichello, while Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel only made [...]
Jones double gores Wolves September 27, 2009 SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce berated his side’s calamitous defending despite seeing them smash five past sorry Wolves to go eighth in the Premier League. Striker Kenwyne Jones grabbed a brace with Darren Bent, Michael Turner and a Michael Mancienne own goal completing the rout. But Bruce was angered by his side’s woeful defence as John [...]
Borthwick injury sparks row as Saracens claim top spot September 27, 2009 SARACENS recovered from an injury to captain Steve Borthwick to beat Gloucester and go top of the Premiership. Replacement hooker Schalk Brits scored the pivotal try while fly-half Glen Jackson kicked 14 points as Saracens came from behind at Kingsholm. Victory maintained Sarries’ 100 per cent start to the season, but the post-match talk centred [...]
GB & Ireland retain Vivendi September 27, 2009 GOLF: Great Britain and Ireland retained the Vivendi Trophy for a fifth consecutive time, beating Europe at St-Nom-la-Breteche in Paris. Rory McIlroy defeated Henrik Stenson by one hole and Graeme McDowell overcame Robert Karlsson 3&2 to give GB an unassailable lead with six matches still to finish.
Trembling hits back at Campbell September 27, 2009 FOOTBALL: Notts County executive chairman Peter Trembling has strongly denied Sol Campbell’s claims he was misled over transfer targets. The defender quit the League Two club after just one match, and Trembling said: “The speed at which we’ve moved is quite incredible so I’m a bit surprised by Sol’s comments. Signing nine players is unheard [...]
Sussex crowned Pro40 champs September 27, 2009 CRICKET: Sussex won the last ever Pro40 Division One title yesterday despite losing their final fixture to Worcestershire. The Sharks, who lost by 49 runs, were crowned champions thanks to Durham’s dramatic late defeat of Sussex’s title rivals Somerset.
Jones and Hopkins plan rematch September 27, 2009 BOXING: Six-time world champion Roy Jones Jr and two-weight title-holder Bernard Hopkins have reignited their rivalry by agreeing a rematch for early next year. Jones, 40, claimed a unanimous points decision when the two ring legends fought in 1993. He has won his last two fights, after losing to Joe Calzaghe, while Hopkins, 44, beat [...]
Go with your instincts both live and online September 24, 2009 A couple of days ago I ambled along to Leicester Square’s Casino at the Empire to catch some of the action in the early events at the World Series of Poker Europe. Downstairs the final table of the £1,000 no limit hold’em tournament was just beginning (British player J.P. Kelly took the WSOPE bracelet and [...]