News and opinion from the world of sport.
England have called up four uncapped players including 36-year-old spinner Shaun Udal for this winter’s Test tour to Pakistan… Chairman of selectors David Graveney added Hampshire seamer Chris Tremlett, team-mate Udal, Sussex’s Matt Prior and Alex Loudon of Warwickshire to the party which had picked itself following the Ashes Series win over Australia. As expected […]
Continue ReadingEngland cricket skipper Michael Vaughan has said that his side’s Ashes triumph came earlier than he had expected against the mighty Australians… Vaughan had thought this summer’s showdown at home with Australia would just be part of a learning curve for him and his players. Instead they shocked everyone by hitting back to win the […]
Continue ReadingHead coach Andy Robinson has been assured he will lead England into the 2007 World Cup, despite presiding over a remarkable decline in the team’s fortunes since taking over from Sir Clive Woodward… Francis Baron, the Rugby Football Union chief executive, described Robinson’s position as "fireproof", although he does expect changes to be made to […]
Continue ReadingFA chief executive Brian Barwick has confirmed "serious consideration" is being given to a bid by Britain for the 2018 World Cup… FIFA has already ruled out any possibility of bidding for the 2014 finals as it has already decided that tournament will be held in South America. "2018 is the first obvious opportunity for […]
Continue ReadingEngland’s Ashes win over Australia could be the start of a period of prolonged domination of world cricket, according to victorious skipper Michael Vaughan… In the immediate aftermath of the 5th Test draw which sealed England’s 2-1 series victory, everyone associated with English cricket diplomatically stressed that Australia still deserved to be regarded as the […]
Continue ReadingKimi Raikkonen won an amazing Belgian Grand Prix in a race that saw some brilliant action and a number of tyre and strategy gambles thanks to wet weather… The Finn cruised to the chequered flag to take his sixth victory of the season, however team mate Juan Pablo Montoya’s late exit four laps from the […]
Continue ReadingUnder-fire England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson admits he is likely to lose his job if he does not lead his side to the World Cup in Germany next year… Eriksson’s formation, tactics and inspirational qualities have all come under the spotlight following England’s shock 1-0 defeat to Northern in Belfast on Wednesday and an unimpressive 1-0 […]
Continue ReadingShane Warne tormented England yet again as Australia held the hosts to 319 for seven on the first day of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval… Warne, in his last Test in England, took five for 118 in 34 overs, including the first four wickets to fall, after England, 2-1 up and […]
Continue ReadingSven-Goran Eriksson is defiant after last night`s defeat by Northern Ireland as England fans chant "Sack the Swede"… "I`m not going to resign," the England manager insisted. "I`m going to try to make it right, to look forward and try to win the last two games." Although finishing as runners-up in the group gives England […]
Continue ReadingA win over Northern Ireland here on Wednesday will propel England to the verge of a place in next year`s World Cup… Even if they fail to overhaul group six leaders Poland, Sven-Goran Eriksson`s side now look virtually assured of qualifying as one of the two best runners-up in the European zone. Such an outcome […]
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