Andrew Flintoff took his first steps towards resurrecting his career with a brief spell of fast bowling under floodlights in the Arabian desert yesterday. The England all-rounder's decline through injury had left England vulnerable, and his form for Lancashire in the Arabian Challenge tournament for the Pro-ARCH Trophy - a glass prize that was accidentally smashed last weekend - took on some significance. Flintoff had bowled very ...

Cristiano Ronaldo set a new landmark as Manchester United moved three points clear at the top of the table with a 2-0 home win over Bolton Wanderers. The Portuguese winger, who was captain for the night in the absence of several senior players, struck twice in the opening 20 minutes at Old Trafford. He put United in front on nine minutes when scuffing home a shot to equal George Best's record ...

Eddie O'Sullivan has confirmed his resignation as head coach of Ireland.He had been in change since November 2001 and was under pressure after a disastrous World Cup, followed by a poor campaign in the RBS Six Nations. Ireland failed to make it out of the group stages at the World Cup and could only manage victories over Scotland and Italy in the Six Nations. O'Sullivan said: "Having given my role as team ...

There are 78 players at this World Golf Championship, and one guy playing out of this world.Tiger Woods is winning at a rate not seen in more than a half-century. Bay Hill was his sixth straight victory around the world among official tournaments, and he is the three-time defending champion this week at the CA Championship. "He inhales so many wins that there's not much breathing room for the rest of ...

Birmingham have been raided by police officers investigating football corruption. The club has promised to co-operate fully with police after financial documents were taken away to be examined early on Wednesday morning. The raid is believed to relate to the Lord Stevens inquiry, which concentrated mainly on illicit payments to agents. Birmingham have made it clear they have done nothing illegal and that the investigation is not linked with any official club ...

'We're in the quarter-final of the Champions League and in a good place in the league. It's certainly nothing to be crying about' Manchester City will not be welcoming Henry to Eastlands any time soon. Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images   The Barcelona striker Thierry Henry says he has no intention of returning to England ...

England beat New Zealand by 126 runs in the second Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. England levelled the Test series after they bowled the hosts out for 311 on the fifth and final morning. Left arm pace bowler Ryan Sidebottom, who captured 10 wickets in the first Test in Hamilton, provided the impetus for the visitors with five wickets in New Zealand's second innings. Wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum had a swashbuckling 85 ...

It was no doubt, a good night to be a Williams, be it Martyn or Shane. Or a Jones, a Jenkins, a Thomas or, indeed, vaguely Welsh and, in the case of the two men who choreographed this rousing Grand Slam, even a Kiwi or a Pom.Warren Gatland, who hooked for New Zealand and was turned away by Ireland as a coach, has embraced Wales as only an outsider can ...

Newcastle star Joey Barton to face trial over alleged attack on teenager Footballer Joey Barton is facing a crown court trial for allegedly attacking a teenager. The Newcastle United player, 25, appeared before magistrates yesterday for the fourth time over the brawl at a McDonald's in Liverpool on December 27. He and brother Andrew, 20, face assault charges and girlfriend Nadine ...

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, the second of 11 stops on the 2008 ASP World Tour, is the longest-running event in professional surfing history. To “ring the bell” — or win the coveted bell-shaped trophy — is considered one of the sport’s highest honors. Taj Burrow, runner-up to the 2007 ASP World Title, took top honors at Bells Beach last year when he beat three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons ...

About 1.3 tons of anabolic steroids and anti-impotence drugs were seized by German authorities in an investigation of illegal trade in doping substances.Kiel prosecutors and customs investigators in Hamburg said Tuesday the raids in January and February netted drugs with a black-market value of about $1.2 million. The main suspect, a 33-year-old German man who had moved to Austria, was arrested Feb. 18 at Hamburg airport as he entered the country, ...

Queens congressman: Drop case against Clemens BY ARTHUR STAPLE Rep. Anthony Weiner has a message for the FBI regarding Roger Clemens: Drop it. Weiner (D-Forest Hills), a 2009 mayoral hopeful and a Mets fan, said Wednesday he believes Clemens lied Feb. 13 to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. But Weiner said the court of public opinion was better served to judge Clemens than an understaffed ...