Karl McDermott interview: Lord’s head groundsman on the Cricket World Cup, Ireland’s Test match against England and more March 26, 2019 When the Cricket World Cup final rolls around at the height of this summer the two teams and their fans won’t be the only nervous people inside Lord’s. Cricket, more than any other sport, is shaped by the surface it’s played on, and the man tasked with delivering the perfect one for its biggest occasion [...]
Trevor Steven: England have never looked so confident and Euro 2020 rivals will be taking note March 26, 2019 England winning qualifying matches is nothing new, but while we have seen emphatic scorelines in the past, they have not always been accompanied by emphatic performances. That is why Gareth Southgate and his players deserve such praise for Monday’s 5-1 victory in Montenegro and the 5-0 defeat of the Czech Republic at Wembley three days [...]
Montenegro 1-5 England: Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling star but five-star visitors’ win marred by reports of racism March 25, 2019 For so long Ross Barkley has been defined by his potential, rather than his output for England. Tonight in Montenegro he finally delivered. It’s been a productive 2019 for the central midfielder, with his January 2018 transfer from Everton to Chelsea now paying off with a sustained run in Maurizio Sarri’s side. And after an [...]
Ronnie O’Sullivan eyeing the World Championships after more records tumble at the Tour Championship March 25, 2019 Ronnie O’Sullivan is not driven by records. But regardless of his motivation they keep coming. Snooker’s box office player is in a good place right now and Sunday’s victory over Neil Robertson in the Tour Championship final saw him overtake Mark Selby to become world No1 for the first time since May 2010 – and [...]
Sam Torrance: Paul Casey’s Valspar Championship win is another sign that European golf has never been stronger March 25, 2019 Is Europe taking over the PGA Tour? It’s a question worth asking after Paul Casey became the third consecutive player from this side of the pond to beat the Americans in their own back yard. On Sunday in Florida Casey outdid playing partner and world No1 Dustin Johnson, among others, to become the first man [...]
DEBATE: Are galleries and museums like the Tate right to shun donations from the controversial Sackler family? March 25, 2019 Are galleries and museums like the Tate right to shun donations from the controversial Sackler family? Sian Flynn, a curator and museums and galleries consultant, says YES. All publicly funded museums and galleries in Britain need to generate their own income to survive and thrive: this is a fact. They are also guardians of the nation’s [...]
Up in the air: Rugby is facing big decisions over the future of the Six Nations March 24, 2019 Wales may have won the battle for the Six Nations on the pitch but off the field the fight for control of the tournament rages on. A proposal from World Rugby, the sport’s governing body, to create a global competition has ignited interest in the Six Nations, which is subject to two sizeable investment offers. The [...]
Shane Warne: Don’t compare Australia’s Steve Smith and David Warner to Pablo Escobar March 24, 2019 For Steve Smith and David Warner the wait is nearly over. After a year of soul-searching, knuckling down in the nets, avoiding paparazzi and plying their trade in far-flung Twenty20 leagues, the batsmen are about to be let back into the fold. From Friday, Australia’s former captain and vice-captain will be eligible to play for [...]
Montenegro v England: Harry Kane has gone from spearhead to link man in exciting new attack March 24, 2019 At the heart of England’s blossoming as an attacking force, which found its thrilling expression in Friday’s 5-0 win over the Czech Republic, lies a curious anomaly. Not since Wayne Rooney announced himself on the world stage at Euro 2004 has there been such excitement about the potency of forward talent in the national team [...]
Barclays director Chris Pilling surprise candidate to become new FA chief March 23, 2019 Barclays director Chris Piling is one of the final candidates in the race to take over as chief executive of the Football Association, according to Sky News. Piling is a leading contender to replace Martin Glenn at the FA but faces competition from Mark Bullingham, the current chief commercial and football development officer at the [...]