The Sports Matrix: Monday 25 July 2011

Cavendish victory earns green jersey

Mark Cavendish won the final stage of this year’s Tour, his fifth of this year’s event and 20th overall, to become Britain’s first winner of the points classification. The 26-year-old also became the first sprinter to win three times on the Champs-Elysées. MORE

McEachran the key, says Villas-Boas

Andre Villas-Boas believes midfielder Josh McEachran could play a pivotal role in Chelsea’s season. “We have to look ahead and not just play side to side,” the Stamford Bridge manager said. “Josh offers this flexibility – he is an amazing British talent.” MORE

Henry Cecil: How I beat depression

Henry Cecil has spoken of how he overcame depression to regain his place among racing’s elite. “I like to beat everything, you know?” the 68-year-old trainer tells i. “Beat depression, get on with life. Try and beat what I’ve got.” MORE

Evans wins first Tour for Australia

Cadel Evans became Australia’s first Tour winner after a composed display in yesterday’s final stage in Paris. “I’ve been dreaming of winning since I was a 14-year-old,” said Evans, who moved into first position only after Saturday’s time trial. MORE

Early goals secure Copa for Uruguay

Uruguay lifted the title for a record 15th time last night, beating underdogs Paraguay 3-0 in the final in Buenos Aires. Luis Suarez’s opener and two from Diego Forlan secured victory for Oscar Tabarez’s side, who lift the trophy for the first time in 16 years.

Hamilton superb in German victory

Lewis Hamilton picked up his second success of the season with a stirring drive to take the German Grand Prix. The McLaren driver pipped Mark Webber to the first corner before losing and regaining the lead. Sebastian Vettel remains 77 points clear overall. MORE

Celtic coast to opening victory

Celtic eased to a 2-0 victory at Hibernian to open up a two-point advantage over title rivals Rangers. Anthony Stokes put Neil Lennon’s side ahead after 14 minutes after an error from goalkeeper Graham Stack before Ki Sungyueng added a second. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

England mostly moved from one position of strength to another, but for little over an hour, Ishant Sharma turned all of that inside out. Piece by piece, he stripped down the bulwarks of English batting. MORE

England hunt for quick wickets

England head into today’s final day of the first Test against India requiring nine wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. Andrew Strauss’s side declared their second innings at Lord’s on 269 for 6, leaving India needing a record 458 to win. They ended last night on 80 for 1. England had earlier looked in trouble at 62 for 5 and 107 for 6 – with a lead of just 295 – before an unbeaten 162-run partnership between Matt Prior and Stuart Broad bolstered the hosts’ total. Wicketkeeper Prior played superbly to post his sixth Test century – his third at Lord’s – and potentially take the game away from India. He finished on 103 not out, from 120 balls, while Broad posted 74, his third-best Test score, following his four wickets in India’s first innings. The 25-year-old then struck again in the visitors’ second innngs, bowling Abhinav Mukund for 12 in his first over. England’s collapse had been mainly down to an inspired spell from Ishant Sharma, as England fell from 54 for 1 to 62 for 5. Sharma took three of those wickets, ending with figures of 4 for 59 to give the tourists fleeting hope of salvaging victory. MORE

England must heed warning from 2007

England would be advised to complete the job in the first Test today if they are to become the world’s No 1 Test team. Four years ago they were left to rue the bad light and rain that came to India’s rescue with a solitary wicket remaining and 43 overs left. MORE

Khan looking for Mayweather bout

Amir Khan set his sights on a fight with Floyd Mayweather after an impressive fifth-round knockout of Zab Judah in Las Vegas. “The Mayweather fight is something I’m looking at,” Kahn said. “It would be huge for me. It would drive me on.” MORE