Cricket World Cup: Who said 50-over cricket was dead?

‘Outstanding’ would simply would not cut it in the superlative queue after a game like that. If there was an advert ever needed for the 50-over game, that was it in its most glorious form.

By Alexander Penny | Sport | Monday, 28 February 2011 at 1:31 pm

Big team focus blurs the real picture

It’s been five years since Arsenal won a trophy. Although I expect you already knew that. It’s a statistic that’s been knocked around in the media with the same gusto as an Arsenal counter attack.
It was meant to come to an end on Sunday against Birmingham, and Arsenal could move forward without dragging this weighty [...]

By Simon Rice | Sport | Monday, 28 February 2011 at 1:15 pm

iBet: Stoke at home are a good bet

Stoke v West Brom, Premier League, tonight 8pm
Lay West Brom at 3.7 to one
Stoke are having a good season and that’s mainly down to their home form – they have won seven of their 13 games at the Britannia Stadium where they are very solid (that’s the same number as Spurs). They have won four [...]

By Gareth Purnell | Sport | Monday, 28 February 2011 at 12:29 pm

Q & A on the NBA transfer deadline day

Michael Kim, host of ESPN America’s SportsCenter, talks to ESPN’s resident NBA expert Mark Stein about the league’s recent big name trades and his support for Manchester City.

By Michael Kim | Sport | Friday, 25 February 2011 at 1:09 pm

Championship preview: Swans seek to glide past Leeds as fans predict promotion outcome

The Swans are swimming upstream. After gliding past the play-off place current, by drowning Middlesbrough, Doncaster and Coventry in defeat, Swansea look happy in second place. Their visitors in tomorrow’s lunch-time meeting keep afflicting opposing coaches with worry, for Simon Grayson’s Leeds are unbeaten in seven games, the latest three of which have been awash [...]

By Giles Lucas | Sport | Friday, 25 February 2011 at 12:58 pm

iBet: England should beat France… just

England v France,  Twickenham,  Saturday 5pm
Back England to win by under 12.5pts at 2.66 (just over 6/4) with Betfair
England’s rugby union test against France at Twickenham (5pm) on Saturday should be titanic. The momentum seems to be with the home team, who are playing as a unit and building nicely towards the World Cup. They [...]

By Gareth Purnell | Sport | Friday, 25 February 2011 at 1:00 am

iBet: Ajax are just too good for Anderlecht

Ajax v Anderlecht,  Europa League, 8.05pm

Back Ajax at 8/11, generally available
Given that Dutch club Ajax beat Anderlecht 3-0 in Switzerland, it seems strange you can back them at 8-11 to win the second leg tonight. Perhaps the bookmakers think the manager will rest a few players, but 3-0 can be a dangerous score and I [...]

By Gareth Purnell | Sport | Thursday, 24 February 2011 at 1:00 am

Rugby League: The crucial factors in the World Club Challenge

The precise nature of the challenge in the World Club Challenge is getting your side to peak so early in the domestic season.
Having seen Wigan at Bradford last Sunday, I don’t really have many doubts in my mind that they are going to beat St George-Illawarra. They were firing on very nearly all cylinders at [...]

By Dave Hadfield | Sport | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 1:24 pm

Football managers – what not to wear, plus Ancelotti, Hodgson and the FA Cup

I have always believed in smart suits, ties etc on duty for matches etc. Now sports scientists at the University of Portsmouth studied the effect that coaches’ appearances had on a players impression of their competence.

By Gary Newbon | Sport | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 12:35 pm

iBet: Don’t bet against Porto at home

Porto v Seville, Europa League, Kick off 5pm
Lay Seville at 4 to one with Betfair
Seville have a mountain to climb after losingt 2-1 at home to Porto in the first leg and I don’t think they are capable of turning the Portuguese league leaders over. Some good judges quietly fancy Porto to go deep into [...]

By Gareth Purnell | Sport | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 1:00 am