Chris Tremlett: Natural leader Andrew Strauss leaves ECB with a modern blueprint ahead of a crucial year October 3, 2018 Andrew Strauss stepping down as England’s director of cricket is a shame, but family comes first and he leaves knowing what he’s achieved. The move has been ongoing over the summer with Andy Flower covering for him while his wife Ruth undergoes treatment for cancer. That’s his priority at the moment, so it has probably [...]
Rob Horne: Former Northampton Saints centre on life after his career-ending injury and “bittersweet” testimonial against Leicester Tigers October 3, 2018 Five and a half months ago Rob Horne was leading his side, Northampton Saints, out to face rivals Leicester Tigers at Welford Road. With three games left of a poor season for Saints, Horne had been newly-elected captain. The trip to Leicester, it was hoped, would mark a fresh start. The side, in Horne’s words, [...]
The Green Room review: Find out what corporate hospitality means at the Kia Oval before you fork out to impress clients October 3, 2018 The last time I sat in a corporate box, it was miserable. A relative who worked for a bank had been offered tickets to a Muse gig at Wembley Stadium and invited me along as box meat to fill the space. At the time, I was a fan of the Devonshire space rockers, but I [...]
ATP World Tour’s exciting final few months is defined by withdrawals as race to world No1 is ruined by injuries October 2, 2018 When Novak Djokovic held the US Open trophy aloft last month, his return to the elite level of tennis was resoundingly complete. Alongside confirming his legacy as one of the greats with back-to-back grand slam titles, Djokovic also reignited the race for the world No1 ranking. The Serbian is currently ranked third, and has 6,445 [...]
Trevor Steven: Barcelona test offers Tottenham chance to kick-start season October 2, 2018 Were it not for the way they wilted in their defeat to Inter Milan last month, I’d be far more confident of Tottenham getting something out of their Champions League clash with Barcelona on Wednesday night. Yet the fixture remains a great opportunity for Spurs to kick-start their season, having spent much of the new [...]
Dame Kelly Holmes calls on government to change lottery limits October 2, 2018 Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes has urged ministers to overhaul outdated fundraising rules which are denying charities millions of pounds. The double gold medallist – whose Dame Kelly Holmes Trust charity has provided mentoring from sports stars to more than 240,000 young people – called on the Government to press ahead with proposed changes to [...]
Sam Torrance: Magnificent Europe proved Thomas Bjorn right and the critics wrong October 1, 2018 The American team that touched down in France as hot favourites to retain the Ryder Cup was reckoned to be the best in the competition’s history. They got hammered. And the highest accolade has to go to Thomas Bjorn. Europe’s ice-cool captain got everything right: his wild card picks all justified their inclusion and his [...]
Valencia another hurdle as Jose Mourinho attempts to bail out the rising tides at Manchester United October 1, 2018 What a difference two weeks make. Thirteen days ago Jose Mourinho was reflecting on his side’s 3-0 victory over Young Boys – Manchester United’s biggest away win in the Champions League for five years. The performance, in his own words, was “not phenomenal, but good enough”. How Mourinho longs to make such an assessment of [...]
Ryder Cup: Europe thwart American comeback as Francesco Molinari and Sergio Garcia make history September 30, 2018 The talk had been of the United States needing their own Miracle of Medinah to retain the Ryder Cup. In the end it was more a case of Frazzled in France, Vanquished in Versailles, Pulverised in Paris. For a spell on Sunday the holders threatened to mount a comeback to rival Europe’s heroics of 2012, [...]
Four things we learned from the Premier League this weekend: Cech’s injury could be a blessing, Sarri triggers Luiz comeback and Kane sharp again September 30, 2018 When Petr Cech’s hamstring twinged in the closing stages of the first half of Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Watford on Saturday the overriding emotion of most fans inside the Emirates was one of curiosity. Injury to the veteran goalkeeper meant a Premier League debut for £19m summer signing Bernd Leno. Having only seen the German [...]