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 [...]
Hussey ton tames Lions as Cook saves England blushes July 1, 2009 SAVIOUR Michael Hussey took the wind out of Steve Harmison’s sails to bring respectability to an otherwise disappointing day for Australia’s batsmen against England Lions. Harmison impressed with 3-67, while Durham team-mate Graham Onions took 2-62 as the England second string put the tourists on the back foot early on at New Road. But Hussey [...]
ICC plan day-night Test matches July 1, 2009 CRICKET: Test matches could be played at night or over four days, governing body the ICC said yesterday. Proposals to introduce day/night Test and shorten the five-day format are designed to boost the popularity of the longer form of the game. ICC president David Morgan said: “There will not be four-day Test match cricket in [...]
Aussie wing Tuqiri’s deal axed July 1, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Australia have terminated the contract of winger Lote Tuqiri three years ahead of schedule. The Australian Rugby Union refused to elaborate on the reasons, saying only: “It may be the subject of legal proceedings.” Rugby League convert Tuqiri scored Australia’s only try in the 2003 World Cup final defeat to England and was [...]
Injury ends Horsman career July 1, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Wales prop Chris Horsman has been forced to retire by a persistent neck injury. The 32-year-old Worcester player, who has twice battled cancer, was advised to call time on his career by doctors. Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock said: “Unfortunately the injury is of the type and magnitude that will prevent him [...]
Cunningham out for four weeks July 1, 2009 RUGBY LEAGUE: St Helens hooker Keiron Cunningham will be out for three to four weeks following knee surgery. The former Great Britain player is having surgery this week after picking up the knock in the Super League leaders’ win over Celtic Crusaders last week. Cunningham hopes to be fit for the Carnegie Cup semi-finals early [...]
Lions coach blasts ‘pathetic’ De Villiers July 1, 2009 BRITISH and Irish Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree has backed Brian O’Driscoll’s condemnation of South Africa boss Peter de Villiers. The Springboks coach infuriated the Lions by insisting flanker Schalk Burger had not deserved his yellow card for gouging Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald in the eyes during last weekend’s second Test. Burger was later cited [...]
Real gazump United move for Benzema July 1, 2009 REAL MADRID were last night poised to hijack Manchester United’s move for Karim Benzema after having a €35m bid for the striker accepted by Lyon. Highly-rated Benzema was top of Sir Alex Ferguson’s summer wish-list in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80m move to Real, which was finally completed last night. But now the France [...]