Rashid ready to ignite Ashes June 24, 2009 THE NOTABLE omission from this year’s Ashes squad of Michael Vaughan and Steve Harmison, two of the stars of the 2005 triumph, may have grabbed the headlines, but I’m more interested in the role ear-marked for Adil Rashid. The Yorkshire 21-year-old is one of three spin-bowlers in the 16-man training squad and stands a decent [...]
Sussex give Aussies a workout June 24, 2009 CRICKET: Australia recovered from early losses to reach 349-7 at stumps on day one as they began their Ashes preparations with a tour match against Sussex. The tourists slipped to 114-5 after losing opener Phil Hughes (15) and captain Ricky Ponting (8) but Michael Clarke (45) and Brad Haddin took up the fight before Brett [...]
Harrington slump shocks Rory June 24, 2009 GOLF: Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy has backed Open champion Padraig Harrington to rediscover his form in time for next month’s defence at Turnberry. Harrington won two majors in a glorious 2008 season but has missed five of the last six cuts. McIlroy said: “I think everyone is surprised. A three-time major winner then to have [...]
Tigers kick off defence at Sale June 24, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Premiership champions Leicester will begin their defence away to Sale on the first weekend in September. The traditional curtain-raising London double-header at Twickenham will see Saracens play last-year’s runners-up London Irish and Wasps face Harlequins. Gloucester host a west country derby against Bath while newly-promoted Leeds Carnegie meet Newcastle. Northampton will play Worcester, [...]
Queensland clinch State of Origin June 24, 2009 RUGBY LEAGUE: Queensland sealed a record fourth successive victory in the State of Origin series with a 24-14 win over New South Wales yesterday. The Maroons capitalised on early errors to storm into an 18-0 lead in front of a capacity crowd of more than 80,000 at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney. And despite a [...]
FOOTBALL IN BRIEF June 24, 2009 Pato prefers Milan to ChelseaAC MILAN striker Alexandre Pato has delivered a snub to Chelsea by insisting he wants to remain at the Italian club. Pato, 19, is reported to be wanted at Stamford Bridge by manager Carlo Ancelotti, who was until last month his coach at Milan. But the £30m-rated Brazilian said: “Pato will [...]
Sants drops bonus payout June 24, 2009 FINANCIAL Services Authority (FSA) chief executive Hector Sants has turned down his £130,000 bonus for the last year, sending a message that the regulator is leading by example. “In view of the wider public debate relating to levels of bonuses payable in the financial services industry and the role of the FSA in seeking to [...]
Britain’s economy is improving slowly June 24, 2009 MOST commentators are focusing on the world’s appalling economic performance this year – the UK will collapse by 4.3 per cent, the US by 2.8 per cent, Japan by 6.8 per cent and the Eurozone by 4.8 per cent, according to yesterday’s revised forecasts from the OECD. But that is no longer really news. The [...]
Fed sounds cautious note June 24, 2009 THE US Federal Reserve said last night that the recession was easing as it kept interest rates on hold, but warned that economic activity would “remain weak for a time”. It also vowed to press on with its strategy of buying up mortgage-related debt and government bonds. America’s central bank, chaired by Ben Bernanke, kept [...]
OECD: WORST OVER FOR THE ECONOMY June 24, 2009 THE worst recession since the Second World War is drawing to a close, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) quarterly economic outlook, published yesterday. Stimulatory government policies and improving financial conditions meant the Paris-based think tank revised its forecasts upwards for the first time since June 2007, predicting that GDP would [...]
