‘Jelly’ concerns at Edgbaston as Australia look to regroup July 23, 2009 GROUNDSMAN Steve Rouse admits he is facing a race against time to prepare the Edgbaston pitch for next week’s third Ashes Test, claiming heavy rain has turned it into “a jelly”. “It’s a nightmare,” Rouse confessed. “We’ve had two actual dry days in the last 10 and the wicket is like a jelly. “It has [...]
Redknapp won’t go higher for Crouch July 23, 2009 TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp insists he is not willing to pay over the odds for strikers Peter Crouch or Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Redknapp is keen on a reunion with Crouch, a player he managed at Southampton and Portsmouth, but is unwilling to meet Pompey’s £12m asking price. “It’s an awful lot of money. No disrespect, but [...]
Publicity prized over sense July 23, 2009 FOOTBALL seems to be going through a bizarre “publicity is everything” phase at the moment, and although it makes for exciting stories to read, not all of it rests comfortably with me. Sven-Goran Eriksson’s move to work as director of football at Notts County is strange to say the least. Yes, it’s great to have [...]
Haye: Watch this David tame the Russian Goliath July 23, 2009 LONDONER David Haye says he can topple Goliath and achieve his world championship dream. Haye, 28, will take on Russian giant Nikolai Valuev for the WBA heavyweight crown on 7 November. Standing at a massive 7ft tall and weighing in at 23 stone, Valuev is nine inches taller and eight stone heavier than Haye. But [...]
Contador widens Tour advantage July 23, 2009 SPAIN’S Alberto Contador tightened his grip on the Tour de France’s yellow jersey by winning yesterday’s individual time trial. The 2007 champion extended his lead over second-placed Andy Schleck to four minutes 11 seconds, making him a near-certainty to claim the title on Sunday. Seven-time winner Lance Armstrong climbed to third overall after finishing 16th, [...]
Watson back in contention July 23, 2009 GOLF: Open hero Tom Watson was at it again yesterday after a three-under-par 67 saw him in a tie for third in the British Senior Open at Sunningdale. Watson, who finished runner-up at Turnberry last week at the age of 59, is in a tie for fifth with home favourite and City A.M. columnist Sam [...]
Langer breaks Aussie record July 23, 2009 CRICKET: Justin Langer yesterday became the highest-scoring Australian batsman in first-class cricket – breaking the record of Sir Don Bradman. The Somerset captain added the six more runs needed to his overnight 89 against Worcestershire to surpass Bradman’s record of 28,067.
Webber pens new Red Bull deal July 23, 2009 FORMULA ONE: Mark Webber has signed a contract extension to commit himself to the Red Bull team for the 2010 season. The Australian will be looking to add to his maiden F1 victory in Germany a fortnight ago with success in the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend.
Powell: British sprinters are lazy July 23, 2009 ATHLETICS: Former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell has accused British sprinters of underperforming because they are lazy. The Jamaican said: “I’ve said over the years that British sprinters are very lazy and don’t really want to practise. Maybe it’s comfort. In Jamaica, you have to work harder for what you want.”
Ashes blow for England as Pietersen is ruled out July 22, 2009 ENGLAND’S sky-high hopes of reclaiming the Ashes plummeted yesterday when star batsman Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the rest of the series. The decision came after the Hampshire player underwent surgery on a long-standing Achilles injury that deteriorated during the first two Tests against Australia. Pietersen, who will be sidelined for six weeks, had [...]