My spending spree is over, says Ferguson July 13, 2009 MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists he has closed his chequebook for the summer – despite landing £80m from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo. Ferguson yesterday officially welcomed close season signings Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia and Gabriel Obertan to the club. The trio cost little more than £20m between them, but, having failed to [...]
Harrington sets his sights on a place in Open record books July 13, 2009 PADRAIG HARRINGTON will be looking to join one of the most exclusive golf clubs in history when he defends his Open Championship title at Turnberry on Thursday. After victories at Carnoustie in 2007 and Royal Birkdale 12 months ago, the Irishman is looking to become only the fifth player since records begun in 1860 to [...]
I’m not quitting, insists Henson July 13, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Wales centre Gavin Henson last night moved to quash rumours he is about to quit the game. According to some reports, the 25-year-old was disillusioned with rugby and his on-going injury problems and on the verge of announcing his retirement. But in a joint statement with his region, Ospreys, Henson said he was [...]
Khan eyes a bright future July 13, 2009 BOXING: Amir Khan is hoping victory over WBA light-welterweight champion Andreas Kotelnik will earn him a superfight with Ricky Hatton. The Bolton fighter is being linked with a showdown with “The Hitman” but first must assume world champion status with victory against Ukrainian Kotelnik in Manchester on Saturday night. “This is a fight that is [...]
England’s women retain Ashes July 13, 2009 CRICKET: England’s women celebrated retaining the Ashes for the third time in succession after drawing the one-off Ashes Test against Australia at Worcester. Set an unlikely victory target of 273, England struggled to 39-3 before rain came to their aid, reducing the innings to 53 overs. But Charlotte Edwards’ 53 not out saw them to [...]
Fresh injury scare for Flintoff hands in-form Harmison an England recall July 13, 2009 ENGLAND last night played down injury concerns surrounding Andrew Flintoff, insisting they are hopeful the all-rounder will be fit for the second Ashes Test at Lord’s which starts on Thursday. The 31-year-old underwent a precautionary scan on the same knee he was operated on earlier this year after complaining of soreness and stiffness during a [...]
It’s time to turn to Harmy July 13, 2009 AS regular readers of this column will have probably noted, I’m not Steve Harmison’s biggest fan. All too often he seems to lose interest or focus, and is not the kind of bowler you would put your last shilling on producing a good, consistent spell. That said, when you catch him at just the right [...]
Webber delighted to make up for mate Ponting’s failure July 13, 2009 GERMAN Grand Prix winner Mark Webber admits he was delighted to succeed where close friend Ricky Ponting failed, and give Australia something to cheer. Webber claimed his maiden race victory after more than eight years in Formula One at the Nurburgring on Sunday, as he and Sebastian Vettel recorded another Red Bull one-two. Aussie cricket [...]
Hauritz backs England in Cardiff time-wasting row July 13, 2009 AUSTRALIAN spinner Nathan Hauritz has played down reports of a rift with England in the wake of the time-wasting row in the first Ashes Test. Hauritz’s captain Ricky Ponting was unhappy after England twice sent 12th man Bilal Shafayat and physio Steve McCaig onto the field as final pair James Anderson and Monty Panesar batted [...]
England salvage Ashes draw July 12, 2009 ENGLAND mustered a final-day batting performance of supreme defiance to rescue the unlikeliest of draws from the first Ashes Test in Cardiff yesterday. After the home side had lost three quick wickets in a disastrous start to the day all-rounder Paul Collingwood frustrated Australia with a heroic 245-ball stint that lasted almost six hours. And [...]