I’m no thug, claims eye-gouging Burger July 2, 2009 SOUTH AFRICA flanker Schalk Burger has refused to apologise for eye-gouging Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald in last weekend’s bruising second Test. Burger has been banned for eight weeks after being cited for the offence in the Springboks’ series-clinching 28-25 win in Pretoria. But, ahead of tomorrow’s third and final clash in Johannesburg, Burger defended his [...]
Ade and Gallas will stay with Gunners, says boss Wenger July 2, 2009 ARSENE WENGER says he does not expect either Emmanuel Adebayor or William Gallas to leave Arsenal this summer. Adebayor has been linked with a move to AC Milan and Manchester City, while reports in Italy suggest Gallas is a target of Inter Milan. But boss Wenger insists there has been no contact for either player, [...]
Serena and Venus set up fourth final July 2, 2009 DEFENDING champion Venus Williams will face her sister Serena in tomorrow’s Wimbledon singles’ final after the siblings clinched their places in vastly different fashion. Venus, vying for her third successive title and her fifth in total at SW19, obliterated top seed Dinara Safina 6-1, 6-0. Earlier, Serena had to save a match point against another [...]
Kaymer shoots record 62 July 2, 2009 GOLF: Germany’s Martin Kaymer fired a course record-equalling 62 to leave the rest in the shade in the France Open. Kaymer, 24, shot an eagle and eight birdies to shoot to nine-under-par and lead a cluster of players by three shots including England’s John Bickerton, Sweden’s Peter Hanson and last week’s BMW International hero Rafa [...]
Murray: Roof holds no fear for final bid July 2, 2009 ANDY MURRAY insists he hold no fears of the Centre Court roof should he be forced to play his crunch Wimbledon semi-final with Andy Roddick indoors this afternoon. The British No1 admitted he struggled to come to terms with the humidity under the roof during his epic fourth round encounter with Stanislas Wawrinka which lasted [...]
Five-star Anderson has the toiling Aussies in his sights July 2, 2009 SEAMER James Anderson signalled his intentions ahead of Wednesday’s first Ashes Test with Australia with a devastating five-wicket spell to put England in control of their warm-up match with Warwickshire. The Lancashire pace man shared a blistering opening spell with Andrew Flintoff to claim 5-34 as the Bears were skittled out for a measly 102. [...]
Sir Alex lines up surprise bid to lure Michael Owen July 2, 2009 MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is on the brink of securing a shock deal to bring former European footballer of the year Michael Owen to Old Trafford on a free transfer. Owen, whose career has been blighted by injury of late, is a free agent after his contract with Newcastle United ended on Tuesday [...]
Japanese take over at Plymouth July 2, 2009 FOOTBALL: A consortium of Japanese businessmen yesterday secured a majority interest in Plymouth Argyle. Japanese businessman Yasuaki Kagami now owns 38 per cent of the Championship club’s shares with Sir Roy Gardner and Keith Todd owning 13 per cent, giving the consortium 51 per cent. Sir Gardner, the former Manchester United chairman, takes over the [...]
Derby hero heads field of 10 July 2, 2009 HORSE RACING: Epsom Derby and 200 Guineas hero See The Stars heads a strong field of 10 for Saturday’s big race at Sandown, the Coral-Eclipse Stakes. John Oxx’s charge is joined by Rip Van Winkle, who finished fourth in last month’s Derby, as well as Ballydoyle stablemates Malibu Bay and Set Sail. Sir Michael Stoute’s [...]
Beating the Aussies again would be even more satisfying than in 2005 July 1, 2009 BACK in 2005, Andrew Flintoff was at the absolute peak of his powers. Named Man-of-the-Series in that unforgettable Ashes victory over Australia on home soil, it wasn’t long before the powerful Lancashire all-rounder was being recognised as the leading player in the world by top cricketing almanac, Wisden. Now, four years on, Flintoff is still [...]