News

Strauss targets top spot

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 25/08/2009
Cricket betting

England captain Andrew Strauss has set his side the challenge of becoming the best team in the world by building on their stunning Ashes success.

A superb 197-run victory at The Oval ensured a 2-1 series triumph over sportsbook favourites Australia, leaving Strauss to look ahead to the upcoming tour of South Africa.

He told reporters: "We are not the number one side in the world and we are far from it at the moment, we are honest enough to know that.

"To become the number one side in the world you have to be winning consistently home and away.

"Our next challenge is a massive one, away in South Africa, probably as hard a tour as you can go on."

Meanwhile, England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is set to undergo surgery on a long-standing knee problem after helping his side to Ashes glory.

The 31-year-old has ended his Test career following glory at The Oval and will miss the upcoming one-day action against Australia, as well as the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Can England win the ICC Champions Trophy without Andrew Flintoff? - Latest Cricket Betting

Baggy Greens skipper Ricky Ponting is preparing to face questions over his leadership following a second consecutive series defeat in England.

He admitted: "I'll be answering some questions, you always do when you lose a game or a series like this. It's part of the job, what leaders are expected to do."

In football, Fulham captain Danny Murphy has signed a new one-year contract extension to keep him at the club until the summer of 2011.

The 32-year-old former England international has been with the club for two years, but had been linked with a move away from Craven Cottage earlier this summer.

Everton manager David Moyes has admitted that it will be tough to find a quality replacement for Joleon Lescott with only a week to go before the transfer window shuts.

The England centre-back finally looks like getting his way by joining Manchester City, in a deal reported to be worth around £24million.

Moyes said after a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Burnley: "We shouldn't have been asked to wait this length of time for an amount of cash we think was the correct value for the player.

"Real Madrid came in with the money (£80million for Cristiano Ronaldo) for Manchester United the week after the end of the season.

"If the money had been offered in June, it would have been a lot easier for us. The time is against us to find a replacement."

Newcastle United have given Barry Moat more time to buy out current owner Mike Ashley.

Moat remains the favourite to complete his takeover of the club although two other consortia are also reportedly believed to still be keen on the Championship club.

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