Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It must say something about the regard in which England's cricketers are presently held that bookmakers are even bothering to offer prices on their tour of Zimbabwe, while the precise odds available only serve to underline just how far England have fallen.
With the cloud of injury hovering above Mike Atherton, whose own performances seem to define that of his team, England are just 4-9 with Hills to win the first one-day international on Sunday, with Zimbabwe on 13-8, while the series odds are 30-100 England, 9-4 Zimbabwe. England may be odds- on, but a few years ago they would have been unbackable.
At those prices victory for Zimbabwe would represent less of a shock than, for instance, Sheffield Wednesday's win at Anfield on Saturday. Yesterday's one-day win over Matabeleland would hardly inspire confidence after the two previous losses on tour. In betting on the two-match Test series, England are drifting with each fresh disappointment. Ladbrokes offer them at 8-13 (from 4-9), with a drawn series 2-1 (from 9-4) and victory for the hosts just a 5-1 chance (from 7-1). Shrewd punters will be waiting until this week's four-day game with Matabeleland is out of the way.
The German Open snooker championship begins today with Stephen Hendry a 15-8 favourite with the Tote and, on recent UK Championship form, apparently a solid bet.
But Hendry is rarely at his peak for anything other than the top events these days, and is vulnerable in best-of-nines (he is only 1-3 for his first-round match against Darren Morgan). The other side of the draw is the one to study, with Ken Doherty a decent 12-1 chance with the Tote.
GERMAN OPEN SNOOKER: Best prices: 15-8 Hendry (T); 5-1 Higgins (L); 7- 1 O'Sullivan (T); 9-1 Williams (L); 12-1 Doherty (T); 14-1 Bond (H, L, T); 20-1 Robidoux (H), S Davis (H,L,T); 28-1 Harold (L); 33-1 Hicks (H, L, T); Gray (L, H); 40-1 Morgan (H); 50-1 Clarke (H, L); 66-1 Drago (T); 80-1 Ferguson (H), M Davis (H).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments