Middlesex win Twenty20 Cup
Middlesex won a thrilling Twenty20 Cup final against Kent by three runs at the Rose Bowl in Hampshire. Middlesex posted 187-6 off their 20 overs with Owais Shah thumping 75. Kent needed 16 off the final over to win. That was reduced to four with two balls remaining. As Kevin Mitchell... [continued] (Observer)
"Playing against England will be fun, as we've got quite a settled side and England don't play much Twenty20 and have changed their side around a lot." Middlesex skipper Ed Joyce, a former England player, looks forward to the Stanford Super Series clash with England in October
Harmison recalled by England
England have recalled Steve Harmison for the third Test against South Africa. The Durham fast bowler was named in a squad of 13, along with Paul Collingwood. There was no place for Darren Pattinson, who made a controversial debut in the second Test. Simon Wilde in the Sunday Times writes:... [continued] (Sunday Times)
Villa pay heavy price for win
While the season proper has yet to begin, the on- and off-field drama is well under way, as Aston Villa found out in their InterToto Cup clash with Odense."Aston Villa paid a heavy price for victory in their InterToto Cup second leg at Villa Park last night - a serious... [continued] (Mail on Sunday)
Real set sights on Fabregas
Real Madrid have given up on signing Cristiano Ronaldo this smmer, but have switched their attention to Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas. Sources say they have made approaches to the Spanish midfielder's
representatives... Manchester United are set to sign forward Carlos Tevez on a permanent signing later this year. His two-year loan... [continued]
Transfer Talk: all the comings and goings of the close season 
Nadal outguns Murray
Andy Murray was beaten in the semi finals of the Toronto Masters by his nemesis Rafael Nadal. Richard Aikman in the Observer writes: "Andy Murray was unable to exorcise another of his demons at the Canadian Masters as the Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal maintained his stranglehold on the British number... [continued] (Observer)
Bolt and Powell victorious
Asafa Powell romped to victory in the 100m at Crystal Palace to complete his preparations for the Beijing Olympics. Running into a headwind he posted a time of 9.94 seconds. POwell's rival Usain Bolt
destroyed the field in the 200m. "He virtually jogged the last 15 metres of the 200m.... [continued] (Sunday Telegraph)
Beijing Olympics: comment, analysis, photographs
Sastre set for Tour win
Spaniard Carlos Sastre is poised to claim his first Tour de France after holding off the challenge of his rivals, including Australian Cadel Evans, in Saturday's crucial 53km time-trial. "Sastre will only be enthroned as the Tour champion at the end of what will be no more than a rolling... [continued] (Sunday Telegraph)
"This is the result of team work, the Schleck brothers sacrificed their chances for me. They have given 100% for me. They helped me with my morale, they helped make sure my dream came true." Tour champion elect Carlos Sastre begins counting his chickens before the last leg of the race.
Transfer talk: The latest football transfer news and transfer rumours 
