Westwood grit July 18, 2008 35/1 Lee to breeze back into contention Some popular Europeans kept their nerve amid the storms yesterday to stay on track to feature on the leader board in The Open at Royal Birkdale come Sunday evening. Yesterday’s wind and rain damaged a lot of players’ chances with Phil Mickelson shooting a nine-over par 79, and [...]
Freddie ready to go at 9/4 July 18, 2008 Andrew Flintoff makes a much welcome return to England’s Test team for the Second Test against South Africa at Headingley starting this morning and looks a terrific bet with Coral at 9/4 to be England’s top bowler. However, he has struggled with the bat and backers may fancy their chances of him scoring 28 or [...]
Westwood can weatherstorm after slow start July 18, 2008 Damian McGrane of Ireland had the worst of the weather yesterday morning, but was four shots too good for playing partners Jerry Kelly and Darren Fichardt, despite shooting 79. He should have the better of his two playing partners in their second round three ball starting at 12.14 today and is a surprisingly generous 6/5 [...]
Bowling duo face late tests but Flintoff gets the nod July 18, 2008 England will assess the fitness of seam duo Ryan Sidebottom and James Anderson before deciding who to leave out for the second Test against South Africa this morning. Andrew Flintoff has been guaranteed his first Test cap since January 2007 but selectors are holding out on naming the XI until they know the fitness of [...]
Chambers set to learn fate July 18, 2008 Dwain Chambers’ controversial and protracted fight to be allowed to run at this summer’s Beijing Olympics will finally be settled today when a High Court judge announces his verdict on the sprinter’s legal challenge to a lifetime ban. Chambers had expected to learn his fate yesterday, when the 100m runner attended court to hear his [...]
Ramos hands United Berbatov incentive July 18, 2008 Manchester United last night moved one step closer to prising Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham after managers of both clubs spoke of their transfer aspirations. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is a long-term admirer of the Spurs hitman and confirmed yesterday he had made an offer for a player, believed to be for the Bulgarian. And [...]
Forget your sense of duty, Inter tell Chelsea’s Lampard July 18, 2008 Inter Milan have urged Frank Lampard to forget his loyalty towards Chelsea – or the Italian club will be forced to move for alternative targets. Inter president Massimo Moratti says Lampard’s “sense of duty” has prevented him from demanding a move, despite contract talks with Blues chiefs stalling. Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is desperate [...]
Great White Shark Norman basks in Tiger’s absence and eyes third Open July 18, 2008 Two-time Open champion Greg Norman turned back the years with a masterful performance in difficult conditions on the first day at Royal Birkdale that left him fending off talk of an unlikely third triumph. The Australian, 53, who has not played regular competitive golf for several years, carded a level-par round of 70 to finish [...]
EPL heralds English Twenty20 shake-up July 17, 2008 A long-awaited English Premier League comprising all 18 first-class counties and two overseas teams will begin in 2010, as part of a radical overhaul of the domestic game. The new competition, which will take place in June and consist of two divisions of 10 teams, was announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) [...]
Harrington vows to play on July 16, 2008 Padraig Harrington will play through the pain barrier to defend his Open Championship title this week after suffering a wrist injury. The Irishman sustained the injury while winning the Irish PGA tournament on Saturday and only managed his first nine holes of practice yesterday ahead of the first round at Royal Birkdale tomorrow. “If it [...]