The Sports Matrix: Thursday 11 August 2011
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.Let the game go on, says Redknapp
Harry Redknapp wants Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League opener on Saturday to go ahead, despite security concerns. “Hopefully it will be OK,” he told i. “It is different if all the games are off but there is nothing worse than being left behind.” MORE
Federer enters his thirties with win
Roger Federer enjoyed a clinical 7-5, 6-3 victory over Canadian Vasek Pospisil at the Montreal Masters last night.“It felt good,” Federer said, when asked about his first game since his 30th birthday. “I’m still able to move [but] I didn’t play so well.” MORE
Woods hopeful of USPGA victory
Tiger Woods remains confident of victory in the USPGA Championship, which starts today in Atlanta. The former World No 1 is 25-1 to win, but his troubles are mounting, with another sponsor dropping him this week. MORE
Neville: Wenger is man for Arsenal
Gary Neville believes Arsène Wenger is still the best man to manage Arsenal. “I wouldn’t begin to even think about losing Wenger,” he said. “They wouldn’t have done any better under any other manager. He is still doing an excellent job.” MORE
Long bows out to work as coach
Scrum-half Sean Long has announced his retirement from the sport at the age of 34. The Hull player has struggled for fitness in recent seasons, but enjoyed success earlier in his career with St Helens, winning the Lance Todd Trophy three times. MORE
Fabregas closer to Nou Camp transfer
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas was last night close to joining Barcelona in a deal reaching €40m (£36m). The midfielder has been the subject of protracted interest from Barcelona, but the saga seems to be reaching its conclusion this weekend. MORE
Hernandez out of England match
England’s World Cup prospects have received a boost with the news that Juan Martin Hernandez, the Argentina full-back, will not recover from a knee injury in time for the tournament. England face Argentina in their opening match. MORE
McCourt shines in Windsor Park rout
Northern Ireland kept their Euro 2012 qualification campaign afloat last night with a 4-0 home win over the Faroe Islands. Aaron Hughes put Northern Ireland ahead before a Steven Davis strike and two quality goals from Pat McCourt settled it.
Midday faces her high noon at York
The country’s best mare, Midday, will slug it out with the big boys in next week’s International at York. Her Henry Cecil stablemate Twice Over will also contest the Group One race, sponsored by their owner Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte stud. MORE
Opinion: James Lawton
MS Dhoni remembered who he was and what kind of team he was supposed to be leading yesterday. His innings of 77 called up a little pride and a little fight, both of which the team that he leads have lacked this summer. MORE
Seamers supreme again for England
England put themselves on top of the first day of the third Test, bowling out India for 224 yesterday before finishing the day just 140 runs behind. Andrew Strauss won the toss and decided to field, and India were reduced to 75 for 4 by lunch. Virender Sehwag was out first ball, while Sachin Tendulkar scored only 1. The key wicket was Rahul Dravid, bowled by Tim Bresnan with the last ball of the session. In the afternoon MS Dhoni led an Indian recovery, scoring a swift 77, and putting on 84 with Praveen Kumar. But even Dhoni could not drag the total up towards 300 and India were bowled out soon after tea. Tim Bresnan finished with 4 for 62, while Stuart Broad took 4 for 53. England’s openers batted serenely for the rest of the evening, finishing on 84 without loss; Andrew Strauss closed on 52, Alastair Cook on 27. MORE
Bresnan: We can build a big lead
Tim Bresnan says the Test pitch is good enough for England to build a lead. “It didn’t do as much as we thought it would. To put them in and bowl them out for 224 is a very good day for us. Hopefully it will flatten out even more and we can get a decent lead.” MORE
McKenzie helps Hants to recover
Durham reduced Hampshire to 77 for 3 after a rain-delayed start to their County Championship game. Callum Thorp removed Liam Dawson and Michael Carberry at the start but Neil McKenzie led Hampshire’s rebuilding and reached 46 by stumps. MORE
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments