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The Sport Matrix: Thursday 22 August 2013

 

Wednesday 21 August 2013 18:40 EDT
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Anderson brushes aside Lehmann’s attack on Broad

James Anderson told the Australia coach, Darren Lehmann, that he was wasting his time trying to unsettle Stuart Broad before the Ashes return this winter Lehmann’s appeal to the Australian public to barrack Broad, whom he labelled a cheat on the eve of the final Test, dominated yesterday’s build-up to the final Ashes Test. “I hope the Australian public give it to him right from the word go for the whole summer,” Lehmann said. “And I hope he cries and goes home.” Anderson, above, was less concerned by Lehmann’s attack. “We are not interested in what he says. We are playing Australia in an Ashes series. We don’t need any extra motivation,” Anderson said yesterday. “Stuart doesn’t need firing up. He is a world-class bowler.”

On the field, Shane Watson struck his first Ashes century, scoring a superb 176 to put Australia in a strong position at The Kia Oval. The visitors were 307 for 4 at the close of play, with Steve Smith unbeaten on 66. MORE

Under-fire Arsenal beat Fenerbache

Arsenal defeated Fenerbahce 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League qualification play-off. Arsene Wenger’s side scored through Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium as they bounced back from their defeat to Aston Villa. MORE

Ivanovic seals Chelsea triumph

Chelsea beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Antonio Luna scored an own goal to put Chelsea 1-0 up and, although Villa levelled through Christian Benteke just before the break, Branislav Ivanovic’s 73rd-minute goal earned the hosts their second straight league win. MORE

Spurs close in on Willian signing

Tottenham Hotspur were closing in on the signing of Willian, Anzhi Makhachkala’s Brazilian forward, for a fee of around £30m last night. Andre Villas-Boas’s Spurs side begin their Europa League campaign tonight in Georgia with a play-off at Dynamo Tbilisi. MORE

Liverpool on verge of landing Hughes

Liverpool are close to agreeing a deal for the £10m-rated Derby midfielder Will Hughes that would leave him at the Championship club for the rest of the current season. The England Under-21 international, 18, is regarded as one of the brightest talents in English football.

Election blow for defiant McQuaid

Pat McQuaid will still stand for a third term as president of the International Cycling Union even though Swiss Cycling has withdrawn support. His opponent, Brian Cookson, president of British Cycling, has the backing of his national federation. MORE

Warwickshire bid for England pair

County champions Warwickshire have launched a bid to sign the England players Nick Compton and Jos Buttler from Somerset. The pair are both out of contract at the end of the season at the relegation-threatened West Country club. MORE

Laudrup anger at transfer window

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup wants the transfer window to close before the season starts, saying “every manager should be interested” in doing so. Swansea face Petrolul Ploiesti in their Europa League play-off first-leg tie tonight. MORE

Herdman open to FA approach

The Canada women’s coach, John Herdman, would consider an approach from the FA to manage the England women’s side, following Hope Powell’s sacking. Herdman said: “If they say, ‘We need your help’, I’m going to consider that.” MORE

Gentle hopes Hull can make history

Hull’s Australian coach, Peter Gentle, is excited about the prospect of beating Wigan to win the club’s first Challenge Cup final in London on Saturday. Gentle said: “We have the chance to make our own history.” MORE

John Townsend

Stuart Broad is unapologetic for refusing to walk after nicking the ball in the first Test at Trent Bridge but his compulsion to broadcast his rationale has become counter-productive. MORE

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