Ramprakash tells England: I’m all yours August 12, 2009 MARK RAMPRAKASH last night issued a “come and get me” plea to the England selectors on the day his rivals for a batting spot in next week’s Ashes decider flopped on their county returns. The 39-year-old averages an impressive 100.75 with the bat for Surrey this season and is being strongly linked with a return [...]
Harrington has mindset to defend US PGA title August 12, 2009 DEFENDING champion Padraig Harrington admits he may still be six months away from perfecting his swing, but the Irishman is confident of retaining the US PGA Championship this weekend. Harrington posted his best result of the year on Sunday, when he finished in a tie for second behind Tiger Woods at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. [...]
Quins chief is sorry for blood feigning saga August 12, 2009 HARLEQUINS chief Mark Evans has written to the club’s fans to apologise for the blood-feigning affair. Winger Tom Williams was banned for 12 months after being found guilty of faking an injury in against Leinster in April. “We have to accept we have been found guilty of behaviour that cannot be accepted or condoned and [...]
Cattermole joins Black Cats August 12, 2009 FOOTBALL: Sunderland last night completed the £6m signing of England Under-21 midfielder Lee Cattermole from Wigan. Cattermole has penned a four-year contract at the Stadium of Light, where he will again work under manager Steve Bruce, who signed him for Wigan from Middlesbrough last summer. The combative 21-year-old is in line to make his Black [...]
Leeds land ex-Quin Gomarsall August 12, 2009 RUGBY UNION: World Cup-winning former England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall has signed for Leeds. Gomarsall, who was released by Harlequins at the end of last season, has agreed a one-year deal with their Premiership rivals. The 35-year-old said: “I considered retiring, but when Leeds got in touch I jumped at the chance to come here.”
Capello rules out Almunia England call August 11, 2009 FABIO CAPELLO last night dismissed speculation that Manuel Almunia will be drafted in to ease England’s goalkeeper crisis.With first-choice David James ruled out through injury and Ben Foster withdrawing with a knee problem, reports resurfaced once again linking the Spanish-born Arsenal shot-stopper with an unlikely call-up. Almunia, 32, is now eligible to play for England [...]
Pietersen suffers fresh Achilles setback August 11, 2009 ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen’s place in the squad for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy is in doubt after he suffered a setback in his recovery from Achilles surgery. Pietersen, 29, has had hospital treatment after an infection developed in the stitching of his scar tissue, it emerged yesterday. The Hampshire player was ruled out of [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF August 11, 2009 Blades crash out of Carling CupFOOTBALL: League Two minnows Port Vale caused the shock of the night in the Carling Cup first round after beating Sheffield United 2-1 at Bramall Lane. A costly error from Blades keeper Ian Bennett allowed Marc Richards to notch a brace and hand Vale a famous victory against the Championship [...]
Trescothick: I’ll consider comeback if England ask August 11, 2009 SOMERSET batsman Marcus Trescothick, a veteran of England’s 2005 Ashes triumph, has hinted he could be ready to make a sensational return for the deciding Test of the current series. Trescothick retired from international duty in 2008 after suffering from a stress-related illness and has since resisted all attempts to coax him back to the [...]
JACK OF ALL TRADES August 11, 2009 ARSENAL’S teenage starlet Jack Wilshere made his England Under-21 debut in Groningen last night as Stuart Pearce’s side battled to a 0-0 draw in their friendly with Holland. Another debutant, West Ham’s Junior Stainslas, came close to scoring for the Three Lions but his shot, following neat interplay with Micah Richards, was well saved by [...]