Cricket betting: Batting bother for England – but Jonny Bairstow can deliver July 21, 2016 England's batting order has been a cause for concern for a number of years now. Since the departure – wrongly or rightly – of Kevin Pietersen, they have tried to plug the round holes of positions three, four and five with a series of square pegs. Last time out at Lord’s, with Nick Compton in [...]
Cricket betting: Spinner Shah could make things Messi for England July 21, 2016 Pakistan's performance against England at Lord’s last week couldn’t have gone much better and it is no surprise they have a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. They were in control of the game throughout, taking a first innings advantage after a century from captain Misbah-ul-Haq before leg-spinner Yasir Shah helped wrap the game up [...]
Usain Bolt welcomes Russia ban as country nears total exclusion from Rio Olympics July 21, 2016 Track superstar Usain Bolt has welcomed the decision to uphold a ban on Russian athletes at next month’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Thursday rejected an appeal by Russia’s Olympic committee and 68 of the country’s athletes against their suspension following allegations of a doping conspiracy. The [...]
I have alternative targets if Paul Pogba move fails, says Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho July 21, 2016 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insists he has back-up options in mind if his world record bid for Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba ends in failure. United are poised to make Pogba, 23, the first ever £100m footballer just four years after he left the club for just £800,000, having grown frustrated at a lack [...]
Chris Froome closes in on third Tour de France title by increasing lead in Alps July 20, 2016 Britain's Chris Froome moved to within touching distance of a third Tour de France title by increasing his lead over his main rivals in the race’s 17th stage. Froome dropped Colombian Nairo Quintana and Dutchman Bauke Mollema in the later stages of a punishing final climb as he extended his advantage in the general classification [...]
Dismissals for dissent on the cards as England’s refs are told to crack down on bad behaviour from players and coaches July 20, 2016 Players who confront and verbally abuse referees or their assistants face instant dismissal next season after English football’s key stakeholders announced a crackdown on dissent. Any aggressive or confrontational physical contact with an official will also attract a red card, while referees have been ordered to issue more bookings for similar but less serious offences. [...]
Manchester United will win the transfer window if they sign Paul Pogba – but it’ll be a big blow if they don’t July 19, 2016 Arsenal I wouldn’t be thrilled if I was an Arsenal fan. Granit Xhaka is the Gunners’ only major addition this summer, which suggests Arsene Wenger must be pretty happy with his starting XI. With the way they finished the season, I’m surprised he hasn’t been bolder, while seemingly not having an alternative option when a [...]
Antonio Conte insists Diego Costa is staying at Chelsea, Stoke confirm Saido Berahino bids and Arsenal close on Bolton defender July 19, 2016 Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has warned Atletico Madrid to forget about re-signing Diego Costa and vowed to make the Spain centre-forward an integral part of his Stamford Bridge reign. Atletico have been linked with a deal to take their former player back to the Vicente Calderon, with club president Enrique Cerezo quizzed on Tuesday about [...]
Chris Froome forced to run up Mont Ventoux as Tour de France takes extraordinary turn July 14, 2016 Britain's Chris Froome kept hold of the yellow jersey despite being forced to run up part of the iconic Mont Ventoux climb in one of the most extraordinary incidents in Tour de France history. The defending champion took to jogging after being knocked off his bike towards the end of the stage and finding that [...]
Horse racing betting: Mokarris all set to bounce back after Royal Ascot flop July 14, 2016 Every now and then a horse comes along that leaves a lasting impression on its racecourse debut. Simon Crisford’s MOKARRIS did just that on his first start at Haydock back in May when bolting up having travelled powerfully through the race. He was then somewhat thrown in the deep end at Royal Ascot when taking [...]