Article Listing for February 2012

Ireland unchanged for France clash

Ireland unchanged for France clash

29/02/2012

Ireland will be unchanged when they take the field against France in their postponed Six Nations match this Sunday (March 4th).

The trip to Paris in the spring follows last month's last-minute cancellation of the game due to a frozen...

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Novak Djokovic 'the player to beat' says Federer

Novak Djokovic 'the player to beat' says Federer

29/02/2012

Former world number one male tennis player Roger Federer has acknowledged that Novak Djokovic is currently the "the guy to beat".

Speaking to Arabian Business News as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship got under way, Federer commented:...

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Eoin Morgan 'still has Test future'

Eoin Morgan 'still has Test future'

29/02/2012

Eoin Morgan can win his side back in the England Test side if he improves his technique, coach Andy Flower has said.

The Irish-born batsman struggled in the UAE and has been left out of the squad to play in Sri Lanka, where a similar challenge...

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Eoin Morgan dropped as England make changes for Sri Lanka

Eoin Morgan dropped as England make changes for Sri Lanka

28/02/2012

Eoin Morgan is the most notable omission as England announced the 16-man touring party to play two Tests in Sri Lanka.

The Dublin-born batsman was one of several to struggle in the Test series as England were whitewashed 3-0 and the team...

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England in last-ball T20 win

England in last-ball T20 win

28/02/2012

England clinched victory in the three-match T20 series against Pakistan in the UAE off the very last ball of the tour in the most dramatic of finishes.

Needing to hit the last ball of the game for six, Misbah-ul-Haq was deceived by Jade Dernbach's...

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England 'improving against spin'

England 'improving against spin'

27/02/2012

England's cricketers have improved against spin bowling during the tour of the UAE, coach Andy Flower has insisted.

Speaking after the second T20 international, which England won by 28 runs to level the series 1-1, Flower told the England...

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Hampshire in Rose Bowl naming rights deal

Hampshire in Rose Bowl naming rights deal

27/02/2012

Hampshire County Cricket Club has agreed a deal with Ageas that will see the Rose Bowl renamed the Ageas Bowl.

The insurance company, whose headquarters are based in nearby Eastleigh, will help with investment in the ground and its facilities,...

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Wales clinch triple crown

Wales clinch triple crown

27/02/2012

Wales clinched the triple crown on Saturday (February 25th) with a 19-12 Six Nations win over England at Twickenham.

The home side had been in front as late as 72 minutes, when Leigh Halfpenny leveled the scores with a penalty.

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Peter Forrest set for St John's Wood?

Peter Forrest set for St John's Wood?

24/02/2012

Australian batsman Peter Forrest may be set to appear in St John's Wood, when fans enjoying corporate hospitality can watch England...

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Owen Farrell looks forward to Fly-half role

Owen Farrell looks forward to Fly-half role

24/02/2012

Owen Farrell is set to start the England v Wales match in the Six Nations at Twickenham tomorrow (February 25th) at fly-half, despite it being an unfamiliar position for him.

The decision to move him from centre by coach Stuart Lancaster may...

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England slip to T20 defeat

England slip to T20 defeat

24/02/2012

England have lost the first T20 of their three-match series against Pakistan in the UAE by eight runs.

Pakistan managed to compile 144-6 from their 20 overs in Dubai despite at one stage being 73-5, with Graeme Swann doing the damage on his way...

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Gloucestershire open to cricket ground move

Gloucestershire open to cricket ground move

23/02/2012

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club has admitted it is considering the possibility of moving to a new ground in a bid to attract more international matches.

The club only hosts occasional England one-day games at its Nevil Road venue in Bristol...

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Stuart Broad excited by T20 young guns

Stuart Broad excited by T20 young guns

23/02/2012

England's T20 cricket captain Stuart Broad has said he is excited by the new English talent emerging in the shortest format of the game.

Speaking to the England and Wales Cricket Board website, Broad said: "I look through the squad and...

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Paul O'Connell warns of tough Italian job

Paul O'Connell warns of tough Italian job

23/02/2012

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell has said the task of beating an improving Italy in the Six Nations this weekend will not be easy.

Speaking ahead of the clash at the Aviva Stadium, he told the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) website: "Their...

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Graham Rowntree says: Wales front row can be stopped

Graham Rowntree says: Wales front row can be stopped

22/02/2012

England prop Graham Rowntree has said the Welsh front row is the best in the world - but England are developing one to match them.

Fans enjoying corporate hospitality can see for themselves whether...

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Alastair Cook to stay for T20 matches

Alastair Cook to stay for T20 matches

22/02/2012

Alastair Cook is remaining on England's tour of the UAE for the trio of T20 games coming up.

While he captains the one-day side, Cook is not an automatic selection for the 20-over game and the team will be skippered by Stuart Broad.

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Kevin Pietersen leads England to whitewash

Kevin Pietersen leads England to whitewash

22/02/2012

Kevin Pietersen hit his second century in successive innings to lead England to a four-wicket victory against Pakistan in the final match of the one-day series in the UAE and secured a 4-0 whitewash in the process.

Having made his first...

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Sam Warburton back for Wales

Sam Warburton back for Wales

21/02/2012

Wales rugby captain Sam Warburton will be fit to lead the side out this Saturday (February 25th) when his side faces England at Twickenham in the Six Nations.

The...

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Ricky Ponting sets sights on Ashes tour

Ricky Ponting sets sights on Ashes tour

21/02/2012

Ricky Ponting's career in limited overs international cricket has come to an end - but that does not necessarily mean he won't be seen in England again.

The former captain will not be in the Australian side that walks out to play England...

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Richard Levi hits T20 record ton

Richard Levi hits T20 record ton

21/02/2012

South African Richard Levi has announced himself on the international cricketing stage with the fastest international T20 century in history.

Playing only his second international match, Levi went to three figures against New Zealand in Hamilton...

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Steve Finn wants a whitewash

Steve Finn wants a whitewash

20/02/2012

Steve Finn has said that England will be going all out to restore some dignity to their UAE tour when they face Pakistan in the final one-day international match in Dubai.
 
The Test team were whitewashed 3-0 by their opponents earlier...

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Cycling pair fight for sole Olympic place

Cycling pair fight for sole Olympic place

17/02/2012

Sir Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny are set to begin their battle to gain Britain's sole place in the Olympic individual sprint event at this weekend's track cycling World Cup event at the London velodrome.

Head coach for the Great Britain...

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Jim Mallinder not in England coach running

Jim Mallinder not in England coach running

16/02/2012

Jim Mallinder will not be among the contenders for the permanent role of England rugby coach, he has confirmed.

Speaking to BBC Look East, he confirmed he has not thrown his hat in the ring and is focused on his club side Northampton Saints.

"It's...

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England's best 'still to come' says Courtney Lawes

England's best 'still to come' says Courtney Lawes

16/02/2012

Courtney Lawes has said he is delighted to be back in contention for England in their Six Nations campaign, promising that the team is set to improve on its early performances.

The Northampton Saints player was back in action for his club last...

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Alastair Cook leads England charge with second century

Alastair Cook leads England charge with second century

16/02/2012

A second century in two matches by Alastair Cook helped England go 2-0 up in their one-day series in the UAE.

Batting first in Abu Dhabi, England compiled 250-4, with Cook making 102 to follow his knock of 137 in the first match, becoming the...

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Chris Robshaw to continue captaining England

Chris Robshaw to continue captaining England

15/02/2012

Chris Robshaw has been appointed as captain for the rest of the Six Nations championship after England won the first two matches in which he was in charge on the field.

It means those enjoying corporate...

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Synchronised tops Grand National scales

Synchronised tops Grand National scales

15/02/2012

Synchronised will have the heaviest weight of the 82 horses entered in this year's Grand National, race organisers have revealed.

The horse, owned by JP McManus and trained by Jonjo O'Neill, will carry 11st 10lbs, with Ballabriggs second...

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Ireland unhappy with new Six Nations date

Ireland unhappy with new Six Nations date

15/02/2012

France's postponed home fixture in the Six Nations against Ireland will now take place on Sunday, March 4th.

The decision has come as a disappointment to the Irish Rugby Union, who had argued for the game to be played the previous...

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London velodrome set for test event

London velodrome set for test event

14/02/2012

The cycling velodrome at London's Olympic Park is set for its inaugural test event with the UCI Track Cycling World Cup taking place this week.

Qualifying for the team pursuits for men and women will be held on Thursday 16th February,...

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Alastair Cook leads ton leads England to victory

Alastair Cook leads ton leads England to victory

14/02/2012

Alastair Cook scored 137 as England bounced back from their Test series disaster against Pakistan in the UAE with a crushing victory in the first one-day international.

The captain made his third one-day century and was supported by Ravi Bopara...

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Irish and French to learn rearranged fixture date

Irish and French to learn rearranged fixture date

13/02/2012

Fans of Irish rugby will learn tomorrow (February 14th) when their match against France at the Stade De France will be played, after Saturday's last-minute postponement.

A statement by the Six Nations Council has already confirmed...

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Warren Gatland looks forward to Twickenham clash

Warren Gatland looks forward to Twickenham clash

13/02/2012

Wales coach Warren Gatland has said he is looking forward to the next game in the Six Nations - against England at Twickenham.

Fans enjoying hospitality...

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Andy Murray confirms Aegeon Championships place

Andy Murray confirms Aegeon Championships place

13/02/2012

Andy Murray will offer fans enjoying hospitality packages at the Aegeon Championships in June the chance to see him defend his title.

The...

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England 'need defensive improvement' says Guscott

England 'need defensive improvement' says Guscott

10/02/2012

The England rugby team defended well against Scotland in the Calcutta Cup, but it needs to be better around the fringes of the breakdown, former player Jeremy Guscott has said.

Previewing this weekend's Six Nations game against Italy...

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Ramnaresh Sarwan to play for Leicestershire

Ramnaresh Sarwan to play for Leicestershire

10/02/2012

West Indian cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan is to become Leicestershire's overseas player for 2012, the club has announced.

Leicestershire chief executive Mike Siddall said: "He has an impressive Test record and his availability to play all...

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Kerri-Ann Payne reveals Olympic plan

Kerri-Ann Payne reveals Olympic plan

10/02/2012

Kerri-Ann Payne has revealed how she plans to make the most of the London Olympics by taking part in the pool events as well as open water swimming.

The Stockport-based swimmer, who took silver in Beijing and will be going for gold at...

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England to field unchanged side in Six Nations clash

England to field unchanged side in Six Nations clash

09/02/2012

England will be unchanged as they take on Italy in the Six Nations in Rome this weekend.

Coach Stuart Lancaster will stick with the 22 on duty in the Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield for the clash...

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Chris Tremlett undergoes surgery

Chris Tremlett undergoes surgery

09/02/2012

England fast bowler Chris Tremlett has undergone surgery to deal with the back problem that forced him to leave England's tour of the UAE early.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has revealed that the centrally-contracted player underwent...

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Steven Finn tips young lions to shine

Steven Finn tips young lions to shine

09/02/2012

England fast bowler Steven Finn has said the upcoming one-day series provides a great chance for young players to stake a claim for a senior place following the Test series debacle.

Youngsters from the England Lions squad have been playing in...

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Bradley Davies hit by seven-week ban

Bradley Davies hit by seven-week ban

08/02/2012

Wales second row Bradley Davies has been suspended for the rest of the Six Nations tournament for his tip tackle on Ireland's Donnacha Ryan during last Sunday's match in Dublin.

Davies only received a ten-minute spell in the sin bin for...

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Andy Murray praises Lendl impact

Andy Murray praises Lendl impact

08/02/2012

Andy Murray has praised the impact new coach Ivan Lendl has had on his game already.

The Czech superstar of the 1980s has been with the Scot for less than two months, but Murray told the BBC he felt a change in just five days of work ahead of...

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Aussie bowler reveals Glamorgan approach

Aussie bowler reveals Glamorgan approach

08/02/2012

Mitchell Johnson could be bowling to for Glamorgan in T20 matches next summer if he agrees to an approach by the Welsh county to represent them in the competition in the summer.

The left-arm bowler - who has lost his place in the Australian...

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Ian Bell dropped from one-day squad

Ian Bell dropped from one-day squad

07/02/2012

Ian Bell has been dropped form England's one-day cricket squad after his dismal showing in the Test series against Pakistan.

The Warwickshire batsman was one of the most notable failures in the 3-0 whitewash, with a top score of just 29 and...

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Olympians honoured at Laureus awards

Olympians honoured at Laureus awards

07/02/2012

A number of people likely to feature in the Olympic Games were honoured at the Laureus Sports Awards for 2011 last night (February 6th).

Sportswoman of the Year was Vivian Cheruiyot, the Kenyan distance runner who won both the 5,000 and...

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Pakistan complete whitewash of England

Pakistan complete whitewash of England

06/02/2012

Pakistan completed a 3-0 whitewash of England in their Test series in the UAE after the tourists were bowled out for 252 in the third Test to lose by 71 runs.

Chasing 324 to win was always likely to be a tough task for an out-of-form batting...

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Leigh Halfpenny nerves praised by skipper as Wales win thriller

Leigh Halfpenny nerves praised by skipper as Wales win thriller

06/02/2012

Leigh Halfpenny was praised by Wales captain Sam Warburton for his icy coolness in scoring the match-winning last-gasp penalty that gave Wales a dramatic 23-21 win in the Six Nations match against Ireland in Dublin.

He said: "I see...

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Charlie Hodgson try seals Calcutta Cup glory for new-look England

Charlie Hodgson try seals Calcutta Cup glory for new-look England

06/02/2012

Charlie Hodgson's try took England to Calcutta Cup glory as they began their new era with a 13-6 win at Murrayfield in the opening round of Six Nations games.

While interim coach Stuart Lancaster has introduced a number of fresh faces, it...

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Ireland tipped for Six Nations win

Ireland tipped for Six Nations win

03/02/2012

Ireland are the favourites to win the Six Nations, according to former England star Jeremy Guscott.

Discussing the championship on a BBC panel also comprising fellow former internationals Andy Nicol of Scotland, Welsh fly-half Jonathan...

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Mike Phillips in Wellington repeat call

Mike Phillips in Wellington repeat call

03/02/2012

Welsh scrum-half Mike Phillips has said Wales are aiming for a repeat of their World Cup performance in Wellington when they play Ireland in Dublin on Sunday (February 5th) in the opening round of Six Nations games.

The Welsh won the quarter-final...

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Olympic stadium has 16 bidders

Olympic stadium has 16 bidders

02/02/2012

There are 16 interested parties keen on becoming the tenants of the London Olympic stadium after the Games, the Olympic Legacy Company (OLC) has revealed.

A deadline...

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Ian Bell fit for third Test

Ian Bell fit for third Test

02/02/2012

Ian Bell will be fit for the third and final Test of England's series against Pakistan in the UAE.

The Warwickshire batsman has been passed fit to play after overcoming a stomach bug, something Jonathan Trott and Ravi Bopara have also...

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Matthew Rees ruled out of Six Nations clash

Matthew Rees ruled out of Six Nations clash

01/02/2012

Wales will be without the injured Matthew Rees for their opening Six Nations game against Ireland.

The Scarletts hooker has been ruled out for two weeks with a calf injury, which means he will not be involved at the Aviva Stadium this...

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Mo Farah 'needs invincible aura'

Mo Farah 'needs invincible aura'

01/02/2012

Mo Farah needs to make himself seem unbeatable to demoralise his Olympic rivals, Steve Cram has said.

Commenting in his BBC Sport column, former middle distance...

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England players 'need to take individual responsibility'

England players 'need to take individual responsibility'

01/02/2012

England's batsmen need to take personal responsibility for finding solutions to the problems posed by Pakistan's spin bowling after the second Test calamity in Abu Dhabi, former England captain Alec Stewart has said.

Writing a...

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