Wood pleased with England start to fourth Ashes Test despite ‘carnage’ January 5, 2022 England bowler Mark Wood hailed the team’s solid start to the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney, despite the “carnage” affecting their preparations. The tourists restricted Australia to 126-3 on a rain-affected first day, with Wood, the recalled Stuart Broad and James Anderson taking one wicket apiece. Since their Ashes hopes were extinguished in the third [...]
Ed Warner: Why 2022 is the year of the sportswash January 5, 2022 A city without snow and a state in the desert. Obvious places to hold the Winter Olympics and World Cup if you are the International Olympic Committee and football governing body Fifa. Welcome to 2022, the Year of the Sportswash. The principal outdoor venues for Beijing 2022 are – on a good day – 90 [...]
Six Nations: Tournament preparing to play games behind closed doors January 4, 2022 Organisers of rugby’s Six Nations are preparing plans which could see games played behind closed doors if restrictions remain unchanged. With current Covid-19 restrictions banning fans completely in Wales, setting a 500-person cap in Scotland and a 5,000 limit in Ireland and France, there could be implications for the tournament. England have not yet put [...]
Lukaku returns to Chelsea squad after being dropped over comments January 4, 2022 Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has apologised to manager Thomas Tuchel and has returned to the squad after being dropped for comments he made about his position at the London club. The 28-year-old Belgian said three weeks ago: “I’m not happy with the situation, this is normal. “But I am a worker and I must not [...]
Naomi Osaka wins on competitive return after four-month absence January 4, 2022 Naomi Osaka won on her competitive return to tennis after a four-month spell away from the sport. Competing in the furst round of the Australian Open warm-up tournament, Osaka overcame French player Alize Cornet 6-4 3-6 6-3. Osaka did not compete at the French Open or Wimbledon, citing mental health reasons. She competed for her [...]
Serbian-born TV mogul enters £100m deal to buy majority stake in Saints January 4, 2022 Southampton have confirmed a takeover deal led by Serbian-born cable television mogul Dragan Solak in a deal thought to be worth £100m. Solak is the lead investor of Sport Republic, who have purchased the shareholding of the club held by current owner Gao Jisheng (80%). They will work in partnership with Katharina Liebherr, who retains [...]
Australian Open: Djokovic gets medical exemption to compete January 4, 2022 Defending champion Novak Djokovic has said he’s received a medical exemption to compete at this month’s Australian Open. The tournament organisers had said that players and staff must be vaccinated against Covid-19 to compete, or have medical exemption status. The exemption was granted by an expert independent panel. Djokovic has won the Open nine times [...]
Murray begins 2022 with loss in Melbourne Summer Series January 4, 2022 British No5 Andy Murray suffered an opening round loss at the hands of world No 76 Facundo Bagnis in Melbourne. The Argentine beat the Brit 6-3 5-7 6-3 in the opening round of the Melbourne Summer Series. The competition is often used as a warm up for the Australian Open, which begins on 17 January. [...]
Cricket round-up: Ashes squads named and NZ Test in balance January 4, 2022 Ashes captains Joe Root and Pat Cummins have named their squads for the fourth Ashes Test while New Zealand’s cricket match against Bangladesh goes to the final day. Ashes Joe Root has named his squad for the fourth Ashes Test as Stuart Broad comes in for Ollie Robinson ahead of tonight’s start in Sydney. Broad [...]
Ashes: Root says ‘we’ve got to stay tight’ amid Covid-19 and poor series January 3, 2022 England captain Joe Root has said his touring Ashes side need “to stay tight” following a poor opening three tests and Covid-19 issues. The fourth Test begins tomorrow night – UK time – with England already 3-0 down and series losers. England have also been dogged by positive Covid-19 tests in the camp which includes [...]