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 in the Observer writes: "Then a vital dot ball that made it four from one - the most valuable delivery in the history of the county game, and Kemp hit it back to the bowler and was run out, Middlesex winners by three runs. A great game." Middlesex take home the winners cheque and will also play England in the Stanford Super Series as well as qualifying for the lucrative Champions League. (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: "England’s beleaguered selectors made one firm decision yesterday, recalling Steve Harmison, but left much else unresolved with a 13-man cover-all-options squad for the crucial third npower Test at Edgbaston. It is unclear whether Harmison will make the final XI. If England's bowlers could pass the bat like these selectors pass the buck, they'd be world-beaters." (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 ankle injury to their influential defender Wilfred Bouma," reports the Mail on Sunday. "The 30-year-old Holland left-back suffered an horrific 'Eduardo-like' dislocation of his right ankle following a challenge by Baye Djiby Fall after just 12 minutes." His replacement was Gareth Barry, who was given a rousing reception by the same Villa fans who had booed him last week over the saga of his possible transfer to Liverpool. (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 deal ends in next summer and United are lining up a a bid of £32m to buy him from sports investment firm owners MSI... Pascal Chimbonda has become the second Spurs player to join Sunderland after agreeing a three-year contract with Roy Keane's outfit, following in the footsteps of Teemu Tainio... Xabi Alonso will meet Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez tomorrow for crunch talks over his future after reporting for duty after a summer break...
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 one." Murray had beaten world number three Novak Djokovic for the first time in five attempts on Friday, but did not have the power to overcome Wimbledon champion Nadal who eventually won 7-6 (7-2), 6-4. (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. Although Michael Johnson's almost mythical world record of 19.32sec, set at the Atlanta Olympics, has always looked beyond reach, Bolt could go close in Beijing," says Brendan Gallagher in the Sunday Telegraph. Brits Martyn Rooney in the 400m and Marilyn Okoro in the 800m both set personal bests at the event at Crystal Palace. (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 champagne reception to Paris, but the Spaniard won the Tour in this 53km time trial in the heart of France. Or rather Cadel Evans lost it," writes Daniel Friebe in the Sunday Telegraph. The Australian, a time trial specialist, failed to dent Sastre's lead in Saturday's stage - making up just 30 seconds on the leader. (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 
