The Sports Matrix: Tuesday 18 October 2011

Kohli batters weak English attack

England lost to India by eight wickets in the second ODI yesterday. The visitors were bowled out for 237, as Vinay Kumar took 4 for 30. In reply, Virat Kohli scored 112, putting on an unbroken 209 with Gautam Gambhir from 179 balls, as India eased to victory. MORE

No 3 Murray wants to keep improving

Andy Murray, who rose to world No 3 yesterday after winning another title, hopes to get better as he targets a first grand slam: “The year’s been good, but there’s always stuff you look to add or improve. I just need to make sure I keep getting fitter, stronger.” MORE

Wales want to keep coaching team

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis is keen to keep the coaching staff who led the team to the semi-finals: “This is the first golden age of Welsh rugby in the professional era and we want it to continue.” MORE

Butt: I didn’t report Majeed spot-fix text

Salman Butt admitted yesterday in court that he failed to report Mazhar Majeed, his agent, to the International Cricket Council when Majeed first texted him raising the prospect of a spot-fix during last year’s World Twenty20 Cup in the Caribbean. MORE

Coach: Lewis has Westwood attitude

Tom Lewis, who recorded his maiden win on Sunday, has had his attitude compared to that of Lee Westwood by their mutual coach Pete Cowen: “Like Lee, Tom’s always said it wasn’t painful to be under the cosh competing; it’s what he loves.” MORE

Silva: City ‘have to’ down Villarreal

David Silva has called Manchester City’s game with Villarreal tonight “very important,” with City on just one point from two games. “We have to get those three points and, if we don’t, there will be some distance between us and the teams at the top of the group.” MORE

Ferguson tears into no-promotion plan

Sir Alex Ferguson has described a proposal to end promotion to the Premier League as “absolute suicide” for the league: “If you look at the Championship at the moment, we have at least eight teams with tradition and history. What do you say to those eight teams?” MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

All Blacks coach Graham Henry says this campaign began in the rubble of the last one, and suggested that the lesson might finally have been learnt. The heart of a great sports nation has rarely beaten so serenely. MORE

‘Slighted’ Evra to pursue Suarez racism claim

Patrice Evra felt “slighted” and “very aggrieved” over the racial abuse he said he had received from Luis Suarez, according to Sir Alex Ferguson last night. Manchester United expect contact tomorrow from the Football Association to ask whether Evra wants to follow through his claim made after Saturday’s match with Liverpool. “We spoke to Patrice today and he’s adamant he wants to follow it on,” said Ferguson yesterday. “It’s not something we want to level at Liverpool, and it’s not against Liverpool. Patrice feels very aggrieved at what was said to him and it is in the hands of the FA now.” United have a Champions League game away at Romanian side Otelul Galati this evening. They have drawn their first two group games – for the first time since 1998 – and Ferguson knows that a win tonight is important. “We are disappointed with the position we are in,” he said. “It’s not a tournament where you can afford to be complacent and tomorrow night is important for us.”Wayne Rooney will start up front. MORE

Mancini wants four more years

Roberto Mancini said that he would like to prolong his spell at Manchester City. “I would like to stay here another three or four years because Manchester City is one of the best teams in the world,” said the Italian who won the FA Cup this year. MORE

Chelsea stand firm in freehold row

Chelsea have refused to negotiate with the supporters’ groups which want a new set of assurances over a possible move away from Stamford Bridge. The “Say No CPO” campaign opposes the sale of the freehold of the current stadium back to the club. MORE