Can a new coach transform the England Cricket Team?

The England cricket team has faced one of the most traumatic periods in its recent history after last summers humiliation at the hands of Australia over all forms of the game. The new prospective coach will have a huge job on his hands and will have to transform and rebuild the side.

The rebuilding job will start with tests against Sri Lanka this summer, building towards next year's World Cup and home Ashes series. The prospective coach needs to not only pick out potential match-winners and improve tactics, but also to bring about a cultural shift in the team.

The team that collapsed in Australia last year appeared over-confident, complacent and arrogant. There was a feeling they only had to turn up to win. Under real pressure and competition they collapsed and their arrogance was massively misplaced.

The new coach needs to create a culture of reverence around playing for England, the same reverence you can see the Australian players have for their team.

The Ashes should act as a wake-up call for the players, coaching staff and selectors. The new coach should attempt to transform the team into a great, hard-working, dedicated and skilful set of players who want to play hard and in the right way.

This suggests that the England Cricket Board may appoint an Englishman as Andy Flower replacement. The Australian Trevor Bayliss is among the candidates, but he is not Gary Kirsten - a top of the range foreign coach - so it may be a mistake to go for him on this occasion.

This is likely to leave Ashley Giles and Peter Moores as the realistic candidates. Mick Newell, the other Englishman in the running, has a great county pedigree and is well respected, but has little experience of international cricket.

Moores first reign as England coach was marred by his inability to work with Kevin Pietersen and his 'unique' personality. With Pietersen now out of the equation, he could have a clear run at moulding the team anew. Moores is a very technical coach and although he wouldn't be a sea change after Flower, the elite players respect him a lot.

Giles has the huge embarrassment of the loss to Netherlands in the World Twenty20 hanging over him, however, England have suffered and bounced back from such defeats before.

The word from the journalists and players during the World Cup Twenty20 in Bangladesh was that the players wants Giles to get the job. Suggesting he has the support and respect of the players. His results have not been great, but he didn't have the strongest team to chose from and the tournament came after an exhausting Test series.

Whoever is appointed has a massive task on their hands, requiring changes to the teams culture and attitude. If the new coach doesn't manage to change the team for the better, England could be heading for embarrassment next summer.

RFU boss Ian Ritchie optimistic about reaching new long term deal with Premiership

The Rugby Football Union is confident that they can agree terms on a new long-term deal with the Premiership clubs to guarantee the future release of England players beyond the next World Cup before the end of the year.

The current 8 year deal expires in June 2016, established the professional game board and created three elite squads - senior England, Saxons and the Under-20s.

Commencing in June 2008, the current deal saw the RFU pay £110 million to the Aviva Premiership clubs. This guaranteed the England management two weeks' access to players ahead of the Autumn internationals and the Six Nations as well as the summer tours. There is also a financial clause that acts as an incentive for clubs to field English-qualified players.

The deal seems to have been beneficial for both parties and is viewed as a success. The major debating points this time are likely to be money and access, with the Aviva Premiership wanting more cash and the RFU pushing for more flexibility and access to the players in the elite squads.

This summer England are going to New Zealand for three high-profile tests, yet they will be without many of their first choice side in the opening Test in Auckland on June 7th. This is a situation almost unthinkable in other sports.

The Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham falls the weekend before, and International Rugby Board protocols prevent players from being involved in both.

On Monday, Ian Ritchie, the RFU chief executive said that he hoped negotiations could be concluded before the end of 2014. Ensuring the build-up to next year's World Cup would not take place against a back drop of recriminations and dispute between the clubs and governing body.

“We’re of exactly of the same mind here,” Ritchie said. “It should be the next priority. Both the RFU and Premier Rugby Limited want this done sooner rather than later. There has to be a partnership and we need to get it properly sorted.”

The clubs are also demanding compensation for losing players and match income during the World Cup next year - as Premiership games cannot take place during the early stages - with some estimates of compensation reaching £14 million.

Ritchie avoided talk of a compensation figure and instead talked up the benefits to the clubs of England hosting the World Cup. Including the great national and international focus it will bring on the sport and its players.
“Having been so preoccupied with Europe, neither us nor PRL have been able to have a proper discussion recently and we’ve put World Cup compensation on to the backburner,” Ritchie said.

“That has to come on to the front burner. We understand there may be some losses, but we must also recognise there will be something that looks like an upside such as better attendances and more interest.”

Manny Pacquiao, back at his best?

Pacquiao is a fighter who has been involved in many massive fights. Taking on many brilliant opponents and been pushed to the absolute limit many times. There isn't a fighter who wouldn't struggle to find the strength to come back yet again, especially after recent defeats.

Against Timothy Bradley last Saturday night Pacquiao did just that, showing what a great fighter and competitor he really is. 

Going into the fight Bradley hadn't been beaten and it was assumed he would be too strong for Pacquiao, but it goes to show you cannot write great fighters off. He was unbelievable. He is now eight times World Champion and that in itself is an amazing record. He took the fight to Bradley and won.

Filipino Pacquiao, who lost to American Bradley in a controversial encounter in 2012, was the winner on all three judges' scorecards.

"I proved tonight that my journey in boxing will continue," said Pacquiao, who has won 56 of his 63 fights.

Bradley, 30, said: "I tried, I really tried. I just lost to the best fighter in the world."

Bradley's tactics didn't help him, he attempted to knock Pacquiao out with almost every punch, even when he did produce a few good combinations, Pacquiao came back at him stronger. In this form and frame of mind Pacquiao looked like he couldn't be beaten.

Pacquiao produced strong and emphatic bursts, which were connecting. To do this against an undefeated champion who is strong and naturally suited to the division, showed how great he is.

The talk of a Pacquiao vs Mayweather clash had subsided recently, but this fight changes everything and now it is back on everyone's lips. Pacquiao is in possession of a World Title, in the same division, and now the fight that everyone wants to see, may well finally happen.

There is also a possibility of a third fight between Pacquiao and Bradley, after the controversial first fight and this victory on points, they may want to settle it once and for all. 

Many people had started to think Bradley was the only fighter capable of challenging Mayweather. This fight changes everything.

Several experts believed a loss on Saturday night would have seen him call it quits, bowing out in a massive fight and ending a long and brilliant career. At 35 he talks of having two years left and this fight showed he clearly still has much to offer.

Many of boxing's (or sports) greats go on for too long, becoming shadows of their former selves and ruining their legacy. The likes of Larry Holmes and Evander Holyfield, for example - but Pacquiao looks as if he has had no ill-affects of his long, brilliant and victorious career.

Walking with hope in their hearts...

It's been 24 long years since Liverpool last won the league title (above). Their glorious 70's and 80's exploited are nothing but a long-distant memory to most football supporters. Liverpool supporting 90's kids long for those days to return and their are many young supporters alive today who have never seen their historic team win the league. 

When the final whistle blew on Sunday, their victory over title favourites Manchester City was greeted with wild celebrations from a thunderous Anfield. "You'll Never Walk Alone" echoed around the stadium alongside chants that they were "going to win the league."

This is the one the fans want, even more than the Champions League miracle of Istanbul in 2005. Their dramatic turn around in fortunes has made this season all the more remarkable. Last season they finished seventh and looked dramatically off the pace. Even the most optimistic of Liverpool fan could not have uttered their famous mantra "This will be our year", with any genuine conviction at the start of this season. Yet here they are four games away from the first title in 24 years. The inner child in all the fans has now been released and they're loving this glorious run.

At the final whistle on Sunday Steven Gerrard Liverpool's captain and talisman began to cry. "Do not let this f*cking slip," was heard, as he hastily assembled his team-mates into a huddle, showing their togetherness and team spirit.

This title chance means as much to Gerrard as any Liverpool player or fan. He is a local lad, who has support Liverpool his whole life, played for them his whole career and won everything bar the league title. Monday was the 25th anniversary of Hillsborough, in which he lost his 10-year-old cousin and when interviewed after the game he was almost struck dumb by the precipice the team stand on.

"I'm quite a distance away from winning the league," he'd said on 1 September last year. "I think a lot of things would have to happen within the next 12 months, the next two years." Those things have started to happen and after a 10 game unbeaten run, Liverpool are top after winning every match since.

The game at Anfield on Sunday was treated as a title-decider, even though there are still four massive games to come. Every Liverpool fan is frantically studying the fixture list, looking at the permutations, filled with excitement and dread in equal parts. They pray that the days of living in the shadow of Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United will be over. But there is also fear that being so close this year, missing out on the opportunity now would be the cruellest blow in that entire 24 year stretch.

The city as a whole has a lot to proud of this season, Everton are riding high in fourth and both teams play entertaining and exciting football, which are a credit to their manager and brilliant for their fans.

So with just four games to go, Liverpool fans are daring to dream. A 19th league title in May and then, finally, justice for the 96.

Great acts of sportsmanship

Sadly it is not often you see amazing acts of sportsmanship. A great recent example is Werder Bremen midfielder Aaron Hunt owned up to a dive against Nuremberg and convinced the referee to overturn his decision to award a penalty. This made news around the world, football in particular has often become a sport in which any advantage gained from gamesmanship is taken and relished (Just look at Luis Suarez in the World Cup against Ghana for one example).

Due to the rareness of truly exceptional acts of sporting chivalry many of them live long in the memory. Here is a run down of some of the most amazing acts of sportsmanship that sport has seen:


Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin

American domination of the Ryder Cup in 1969 was absolute, the domination was so complete people almost began to become bored with the event itself. Unthinkable, when you compare it to today's competition. 

It was one man's action's that reignited this great combination and stoked the imagination. With both teams locked at 15 ½-15 ½ , the final rubber between Britain's  Tony Jacklin and the formidable Jack Nicklaus would decide where the trophy was headed. The two men reached the 18th tee the match was all-square. The American played the hole perfectly and holed-out for a regulation par. In contrast, Jacklin faced a tricky three-footer forcing the first ever tie in the event. Nicklaus was set to be the hero, yet made one of the great sporting gestures, picking up his opponent's ball marker rather than forcing Jacklin to putt out. Nicklaus incurred the wrath of US captain, however this result set the tone for a more competitive event and laid the seeds for the refurbished version enjoyed by several million people across the globe today.

Nigel Mansell

Before Mansell's 1992 Formula 1 World Championship victory, he was forging a reputation as a perennial nearly man of British driving. Ayrton Senna had so often proved the Englishman's nemesis and in 1991 the pair were in close competition once again. Mansell managed to hold off the Brazilian's determined challenge for 59 laps and in a close race, Senna's McLaren looked the stronger car. It seemed obvious that he would pass Mansell's Williams for the lead. However, with 10 laps to go Senna ran out of fuel. Mansell strolled to the win and, on his victory lap, stopped to pick up the stricken Senna who, faced with a long walk back to the garages, had decided to watch the remainder from trackside. Senna waved away several angry race stewards and remained on-board Mansell's car until they arrived at the pits.

Andrew Flintoff and Brett Lee

The 2005 Ashes was the first time England won back the the famous urn since 1987 and will live long in cricket fans memories. The turning point of the great series was the second Test at Edgbaston. England playing superbly needed just two wickets to level the series by the fourth day. After Shane Warne exited they needed one wicked, while Australia needed 61 runs to complete the win. The Australians dug in and began to chip away at the lead, with Brett Lee scoring regularly. When Lee finally succumbed to the English bowlers he could not hide his disappointment. Flintoff, recognising his opponent's truly valiant effort, consoled the Australian. "We tried to bowl him out, we tried to knock him out. We tried everything, but he wouldn't budge," Flintoff said. "So after it happened I went over, put my arm around him. I can't remember exactly what I said, but it was some words of consolation - probably the reason why I did it is [because] he did not deserve to be on the losing team - and obviously I have great respect for him."

Sir Stirling Moss

Stirling Moss is probably the best driver never to win the Formula One World Championship. Although he was determined  to become Britain's first world champion, he believed the manner in which the battle was fought was as important as the outcome. In 1958 his sporting principles were challenged to the fullest. It was the Portuguese Grand Prix, championship rival Mike Hawthorn was accused of reversing on the track after spinning and faced disqualification. This would strip him of second place and seven vital points. Stirling defended Hawthorn, insisting his fellow Englishman should not be penalised. He got his own way but, despite claiming four race wins to Hawthorne's one, would miss out on the drivers' crown by a single point.

Paolo Di Canio

Fresh from his 1998 encounter with referee Paul Alcock after a sending off against Arsenal,  Di Canio was not seen in the best light by the football public and definitely not seen a great advocate of fair play. 

Fast-forward a few years and the mercurial striker, now plying his trade for West Ham, was a changed man. Di Canio's unselfish act in deliberately abandoning a distinct scoring opportunity so that injured Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard might receive immediate attention won the Italian the FIFA Fair Play award and wiped clean his slate of previous offences. "I am not a saint, just like I wasn't a killer three years ago with the referee when I did something wrong," said Di Canio shortly after the game.

8 Of The Greatest Shots In Snooker History

Since the modern game's inception in the 19th century there have been countless amazing and surprising moments in snooker. Whether you love it or hate it, you can't deny the sheer skill on display. Here is our selection of the very finest shots in snooker history.

Alex Higgins Vs Jimmy White 1982 Crucible

Say what you will about Alex "Hurricane" Higgins and his technique, but this remarkable shot kept him in the 1982 World Championship.

Stephen Maguire Vs Ronnie O'sullivan 2008 Masters

Stephen Maguire pulled off this fantastic shot to combat O'Sulivans snooker in the 2008 Masters.

Ronnie O'Sullivan 5 Cushion Snooker Escape

After two failed escapes on another path, Ronnie O'Sullivan makes this incredible five cushion snooker escape on his first attempt. Ronnie's face at the end says it all.

Stephen Hendry Exhibition Shot World Championship 2009

Stephen Hendry played this impressive shot against opponent and friend Mark Williams in the first round of the 2009 World Championship. He came back from 7 - 5 down to win 9 -7.

Ding Junhui Reverse Side Pink To Black

Ding demonstrates his total control over the cue ball with this superb shot, positioning him perfectly for the black ball.

Jimmy White Masse Shot Hamburg 1993

Jimmy White escapes from a snooker imposed by a 17 year old Ronnie Sullivan in the most spectacular way possible.

Neil Robertson Positional Shot Vs Shaun Murphy

Neil Roberts plays this fantastic exhibition shot setting him up perfectly to take the brown. The Australian went on to win the match nine frames to seven, knocking out opponent Shaun Murphy at the quarter final stage.

     

Ding Junhui Snooker Vs Mark Selby 2012 Premier League

Ding Junhui executes a series of snookers against opponent Mark Selby in this match from 2012. His precision in tucking the cue ball behind the black off the yellow is a real testament to his mastery of the game.

Tirapongpalboon Vs Milkins World Open 2012

Here's a bonus shot for you. Tirapongpalboon's fluke pot on the black against Milkins in the World Open 2012. This won't go down as the best shot in history but it is certainly one of the most exciting!

If you're a fan of snooker, or know someone who is, be sure to take a look through our selection of fantastic snooker images!

An End to Fergie Time? A simple change that could revolutionise Football

Football fans the world over will recognise the frustration. Your team is chasing the game, the clock is hurtling towards the final whistle and the opposition make a time wasting substitution. The player leaving the field does so at the speed of an old man crossing a road, possibly shaking hands with officials or any player within his vicinity. Your teams players, now frustrated with the time wasting, remonstrate with the referee who gestures for the player to hurry. Two Minutes pass and play restarts, with everyone involved knowing the full amount of wasted time will not be added on at the end.

Goalkeepers are also prime culprits in the time wasting stakes, often taking an eternity to take goal kicks as the game reaches its conclusion. Not to mention players feigning injury or slowly taking throw ins and corners.

Over a third of playing time in an average match is lost to time wasting and stoppages.

Why is this practice allowed to continue? If Football applied the same logic as Rugby and the clock stopped the moment the ball was out of play, this behaviour would disappear instantly.

The advent of technology and super slow-mo replays mean referees have come under increasing scrutiny. If we're to decrease the pressure they're under, perhaps one problem we can take away is the accusation of adding on too little or too much time at the end of crucial match.

This is clearly a broken system, with additional time decided by the referees perception and not facts. But then how can they be expected to keep track of 22 players who run around seven miles a match. The help they get from assistant referees and the fourth officials is clearly not sufficient. How often does too much "Fergie Time" get added or the match get cut short as the losing team launches a final desperate attack?

This season in the Premier League the most the ball was in play was in Swansea 1-3 Tottenham and that was for 67 minutes 37 seconds. At the other end Stoke beating Aston Villa 2-1 saw only 40 minutes and 50 seconds of actual football is not exactly value for money.

The rules currently do not allow the referee to stop the clock for throws, corners, goal-kicks etc, unless players are wasting time. However, if this was the case it would encourage teams to keep the ball in play longer, cause play to restart faster and reduce time-wasting.

At the top level football is increasingly leaving its every man roots, not only are players wages always rising so are ticket prices. Is it really fair spectators are wasting a third of their season ticket outlay on watching players ponder over throw-ins and argue with referees?

A simple way to solve this is to use the same system deployed effectively in Rugby. Quite simply someone observing the game in the crowd pauses the clock as a stoppage occurs. The clock in the stadium stops with each break in play and everyone knows where they stand.

There doesn't appear to be any losers from introducing this system, spectators get better value for money and the lingering sense of injustice which currently occurs would be removed.

Can anyone see any potential problems with system? What do football fans think?