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COLLINGWOOD: NO REGRETS ODI CAPTAINCY

Posted on 26/08/2008 by admin

Paul Collingwood will make his comeback for England claiming he has no regrets about giving up the captaincy he believes was threatening his Test place.

The Durham all-rounder returns to action in Tuesday’s second match of the NatWest Series at Trent Bridge for his first match since relinquishing the captaincy of the one-day side after just over a year in charge.

During his time as captain, Collingwood’s form at Test level suffered dramatically and he went 25 innings between centuries – a run which was only ended during the third Test at Edgbaston after he had privately resolved to inform England he was ready to step down.

His decision was overshadowed by the sudden announcement of Michael Vaughan to also step down as Test captain, but Collingwood admits the pressures were beginning to tell on him – and threaten the Test place he craves so much.

“I thought it was too much of a coincidence that I scored a hundred against West Indies just before I got the captaincy last year and I scored another hundred the day after I gave it up,” he said.

“It was very much a relief. I spoke to my wife on the Thursday night and said I couldn’t keep going like that because I was going to lose my Test spot and that’s going to hurt the most.

“It’s always been the thing I’ve wanted most in cricket, to cement my Test spot, and I didn’t want to give that away easily.”

During his time as captain Collingwood also suffered the indignity of facing widespread criticism after running out Grant Elliott during a one-day match against New Zealand at The Oval after he had collided with Ryan Sidebottom.

He was then given a four-match ban for failing to maintain a proper over rate, which he has now completed to prompt his return at Trent Bridge.

DENNIS ‘ASHAMED TO BE ENGLISH’

Posted on 26/08/2008 by admin

McLaren boss Ron Dennis has stated he is “ashamed to be English” after witnessing Valencia successfully stage the European Grand Prix.

Spain’s third largest city made its Formula One debut at the weekend, and in many respects did not let down supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

The circuit weaved through the marina and port which last year was home to yachting’s America’s Cup, although as with any ‘street’ track, overtaking areas were at a premium.

The event was not totally faultless, and it lacked the glitz and glamour of Monaco, while there were few defining landmarks other than the bridge amid the blur of concrete walls and wire fencing which lined the circuit.

It was too much to expect such a new track to be entirely faultless, but the problems were minor, doing Valencia proud 19 months after they staged a lavish £2million launch of McLaren’s car for the 2007 season.

Launching an unexpected attack on England’s failings in hosting major sporting events, Dennis said: “I have to say something a little controversial which I’ll probably regret.

“When I go back into England and I go through Heathrow airport, I’m ashamed to be English.

“Valencia is an area that is not the gateway to their country, and yet the local government showed vision to stage the America’s Cup, to commit all the resources they did to turn it into a world-class venue.

“We also know how they embraced the concept of us launching our car there.

“They made available to us all the facilities that exist in the arts and science park, contributed to the venue, and we were a catalyst to the grand prix.

“To see what they’ve done demonstrates what you can do if you are committed as a government, local or national.”

Dennis feels London could learn a lesson or two from Valencia when it comes to overwhelming support to push forward projects, and to turn run-down areas of the city into futuristic places to be proud of.

ANDREW: WORLD CUP WIN CAME AT A COST

Posted on 26/08/2008 by admin

Rob Andrew claims Sir Clive Woodward’s 2003 World Cup-winning coaching team left the England side in a “terrible state”.

Rugby Football Union elite performance director Andrew believes a lack of foresight was to blame for England’s terrible form in the aftermath of their Sydney triumph five years ago, when Woodward stepped down and Andy Robinson, who had worked under him, endured a thoroughly miserable spell as his successor.

Andrew will deliver a progress report to RFU bosses at Twickenham on Thursday.

He told the Daily Mail: “Without naming names, I do want to make the point that the 2003 World Cup coaching team effectively left no legacy to the English game.

“As a result, the elite end of the sport in this country was in a terrible state.”

He added: “I have no wish to personalise the issue.

“There was no structure, no real long-term planning, no development strategy. When the edifice fell over after the 2003 World Cup, there was nothing behind it.”

CITY AND TOFFEES EYE WRIGHT-PHILLIPS

Posted on 26/08/2008 by admin

Manchester City and Everton are weighing up whether to bid for out-of-favour Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The England international has failed to hold down a regular place under three different managers at Stamford Bridge and has now been told his first-team chances are limited under current boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Although Wright-Phillips has always stressed his preference to stay with Chelsea, at 26 he realises his chances of fulfilling his potential – and forcing his way back into the England reckoning – require him to move on.

In theory, a move back to City, where Wright-Phillips first made his name before a £21million transfer to Chelsea, would be ideal.

However, Wright-Phillips is known to have reservations about rejoining the Blues, where he came through their highly-rated academy system.

Former City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson failed in an attempt to get Wright-Phillips back to Eastlands on loan last summer but now it seems the Swede’s replacement Mark Hughes is ready to try again.

However, Everton are also interested, with David Moyes realising he needs to bolster his squad if the Toffeemen are to stand any chance of matching last term’s fifth-placed finish.

Everton can offer a guaranteed place in Europe, something City are unable to do at present given they will start the away leg of their UEFA Cup qualifier with FC Midtjylland one goal down on Thursday.

CALDERON: WE DON’T NEED RONALDO

Posted on 24/07/2008 by admin

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes the Spanish champions will be a force to be reckoned with next season regardless of whether they sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Manchester United winger has been tracked by the Primera Liga champions all summer, with the player himself fuelling speculation by refusing to commit his future to the English club.

United coach Sir Alex Ferguson, who met Ronaldo for clear-the-air talks last week, is adamant there is no chance of the Portugal international quitting United for Spain.

But Calderon insists, even without the Portuguese, Real will go into the new campaign with a “complete” squad.

“We can’t talk about footballers who aren’t ours,” he told Spanish television channel Atena 3.

“I’ve already said several times that we have a very complete squad, who have just won the Primera Liga.

“We built a great team last year. If we finally make some signings, they would be few but very good.”

The Real chief claimed the Spanish side are mere spectators in the transfer saga which has dominated the summer.

“We don’t have anything to say about that issue,” he said. “We are only spectators, a passive observer in this whole story.

“It is the player and the club who are talking about a possible problem, we are unconnected to all that.”

Calderon also poured scorn on suggestions unsettled Barcelona forward Samuel Eto’o could return to Madrid.

Eto’o has been told he can leave the Nou Camp this summer, and although he is reportedly the subject of interest from Real, it would be a controversial move for the player who left the Bernabeu on a sour note in 2000.

And Calderon has laughed off suggestions that the striker could move back to Barca’s bitter rivals.

MARMALADE LEADS GEORGE CHARGE

Posted on 24/07/2008 by admin

Duke Of Marmalade will face seven rivals as he bids to provide Aidan O’Brien with his 14th Group One victory of the season in Saturday’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

The Ballydoyle supremo is enjoying a superlative campaign and even has the luxury of Hardwicke Stakes winner Macarthur as his second string.

Red Rock Canyon will also represent Coolmore and is expected to take up pace-making duties.

Youmzain, runner-up to O’Brien’s Dylan Thomas in both this race and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last season, arrives on a high having landed the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last time.

Mick Channon’s consistent five-year-old will be running in his 11th consecutive Group One race.

Sir Michael Stoute has two strong candidates in Papal Bull and Ask as he aims for a first win since Golan’s triumph in 2002.

Last year’s St Leger winner Lucarno will represent John Gosden and arrives in top form having won the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes on his most recent outing.

Terry Mills’ Petara Bay, third behind Lucarno and Papal Bull last time out, completes the field.

INDIA MAKE FIRST UMPIRE REFERRAL

Posted on 24/07/2008 by admin

The International Cricket Council’s umpire referral system came into use for the first time on Thursday when India asked for a review of a lbw decision on the second day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka.

Off spinner Harbhajan Singh struck Sri Lanka’s Malinda Warnapura on the pads in the 46th over of their opening innings with a delivery that pitched on middle stump and seemed to be drifting down leg.

Their appeal was turned down by on-field umpire Mark Benson with Warnapurna on 86.

Skipper Anil Kumble challenged the decision and the umpire referred it to third umpire Rudi Koertzen, who also ruled not out.

The decision leaves India with only two challenges remaining.

MARGARITO: I’LL BEAT COTTO TO THE PUNCH

Posted on 24/07/2008 by admin

Antonio Margarito plans to outwork Miguel Cotto in Saturday night’s huge Vegas showdown.

The Mexican challenges for Cotto’s WBA world welterweight title in what many believe could turn out to be the Fight of the Year at the MGM Grand.

And he knows that a fast start is essential to stop the unbeaten Puerto Rican getting into rhythm.

Margarito says he’s been employing those sort of tactics since his shock defeat by Paul Williams last year.

He told ESPN website: “During the fight he (Williams) wasn’t hurting me. He was just throwing punches, and I let him throw punches because he wasn’t hurting me. When I was watching the fight, I saw that he was just throwing more punches than me. That’s where I lost the fight.

“I wasn’t into the fight for those first few rounds, and that cost me. After I saw the tape I said, ‘that’s never going to happen to me again.'”

Last time out Margarito walked through everything Kermit Cintron could throw at him en route to a stoppage victory.

And on Saturday night he’ll need to show similar aggression and bravery if he’s to tame Cotto.

“I think it’s going to come down to whose rhythm we are going to dance to. I need to start my pace fast and see if he can keep up.

“I’ve been doing it because now it has become my mentality. From the start I’m going to throw punches and throw punches and go as hard as I can.”

FEDERER SHOCKED IN TORONTO

Posted on 24/07/2008 by admin

World number one Roger Federer exited the Rogers Cup, while Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal continued his remarkable run.

Top seed Federer opened play and all appeared normal early on but unseeded Frenchman Gilles Simon turned things around for a stunning 2-6 7-5 6-4 triumph.

Nadal, meanwhile, claimed a comfortable 6-4 6-2 victory over American qualifier Jesse Levine.

Federer, who was playing his first match since losing to Nadal at Wimbledon, is having a poor year by his standards and lost his 10th contest out of 53 this season, where he has won two titles and no Grand Slam championships.

Of course, the rapid emergence of Nadal, who has beaten Federer in all four contests between the two in finals this season, has played a significant role in the 26-year-old’s downturn.

This particular venue had been a favourite of Federer’s, however, as he was unbeaten in 13 matches at the Rexall Centre, claiming titles in 2004 and 2006.

But Federer, who has 55 career titles, will have to wait until next year to try and become the third player in the Open era to win three Canadian titles, joining Ivan Lendl (six) and Andre Agassi.

Simon is ranked number 22 in the world and won the event in Indianapolis on Sunday.

Nadal was playing his first match since winning Wimbledon and rolled into the third round of this hardcourt event with a straight sets win over Levine.

The first player to win both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season since Bjorn Borg in 1980, Nadal is at the top of his game.

The world number two since July 2005 has won his last four tournaments played and is on a 25-match winning streak.

“It’s not easy to play, especially after Wimbledon. I didn’t have much practice so it’s was a tough start,” Nadal said.

“Right now I am just continuing to try and improve my hard court season.”

The 22-year-old, who captured this event in 2005, leads the ATP with 57 wins this year and has captured six titles overall to move to 29 career titles

SKY DEAL ANNOUNCED BY BRITISH CYCLING

Posted on 24/07/2008 by admin

British Cycling has announced a multi-million pound partnership with broadcaster Sky for the next five years.

Every level of the sport is set to benefit from the investment, including Britain’s elite team of world, Olympic and Paralympics cyclists to British Cycling’s talent development programmes and grass roots initiatives in schools and local communities.

The partnership’s announcement comes as the British team enters the final stages of preparation for next month’s Beijing Olympics, when riders such as Bradley Wiggins, Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton are expected to lead a medals blitz.

The arrangement with Sky will provide increased support in the run-up towards the 2012 London Olympics and beyond.

British cycling performance director David Brailsford said: “I believe this partnership will create a step change for cycling.

“Cycling is already one of Britain’s sporting success stories, and this is a truly exciting opportunity to grow the sport even further.”

British Cycling president Brian Cookson added: “Sky’s support presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform our sport by building on our international success and using it to get more people cycling, more people engaged with the sport, more people belonging to British Cycling.”