KEEPER-BATSMAN VOWS TO COME GOOD IN SRI LANKA
THOSE WERE THE DAYS
1952: Five-time TT world motorcycling champion Joey Dunlop was born in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. He started racing in 1969 and won a record 26 Isle of Man TT races, the first in 1977. He was killed in a road race accident in July 2000. 1964: Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, became heavyweight champion of the world as an 8-1 underdog when he stopped defending champion Sonny Liston at
Miami Beach in Florida. Ali died in 2016.
1989: Britain’s Frank Bruno lost to Mike Tyson in his second attempt to win the world heavyweight title. 2007: Chelsea lifted the League
Cup for the
JOS BUTTLER has put his Test career on the chopping block after admitting he is too old to be “picked on potential”.
The England wicketkeeperbatsman has had a difficult red-ball winter in New Zealand and South Africa, averaging less than 18 from nine innings.
But the 29-year-old has reaffirmed his commitment to the Test arena and a desire to be an unequivocal success across all three formats starting with Sri Lanka in March.
He will travel as the first-choice keeper for the two Tests in Galle and Colombo, with Ben Foakes putting pressure on him rather than Jonny Bairstow.
But regardless of who is snapping at his heels or his gloves, Buttler knows it is down to himself to perform.
“I’m very committed to Test cricket,” he said. “It’s the best form of the game, it’s the hardest form of the game and you want to be a part of that.
“I know I haven’t quite played as well as I would have liked in the majority of the winter but fortunately for me I’m on the tour and really excited about it. I’ve got massive self-belief and a lot of it is about fulfilling potential. I’m too old now to get picked on potential.
“I just haven’t played quite well enough at times but you don’t become a bad player overnight so I’m looking to repay some faith and play well and get back to playing my best cricket.”
Buttler was speaking while wearing the pink shirt of the Rajasthan Royals, for whom he will be playing T20 cricket in the IPL next month after the Sri Lanka tour is over.
He visibly lit up when the conversation turned to the shortest format where his prowess is second to none and where England will be hoping he can win them a second World Cup in successive years in October.
It is almost as though T20 cricket gives him the confidence boost he needs to succeed in Test cricket with his recent dip coinciding with a rare extended period of 10 red-ball games in a row until the three T20s against South Africa and a 29-ball 57.
“This is probably the longest time I have ever just played red-ball cricket for a stint,” he added. “I’ve not broken that up with any of my strongest suit in T20 or one-day cricket, just to change things up, which is quite nice.
“The best players can play all formats and you want to be involved in that and make the most of it.”
ON THIS DATE IN SPORTING HISTORY second time in three match was marred by a seasons thanks to a 2-1 stoppage-time brawl that win over Arsenal. Didier resulted in three red cards. Drogba got both 2009: Premiership club goals but the Sale appointed Jason Robinson as head coach. 2010: Wayne Bridge made himself unavailable for England selection, stating his position in the squad was “untenable and potentially divisive”. His decision came after newspaper allegations of a relationship between his former partner Vanessa Perroncel and England defender John Terry. 2012: Nathan Cleverly successfully defended his WBO light-heavyweight title by beating Tommy Karpency on points in Cardiff.
2014: Bradford Bulls were docked six points by the Rugby Football League for going into administration.
PATRICK REED snapped at Sky Sports interviewer Wayne Riley after winning the WGC-Mexico Championship.
Riley asked if he felt he had silenced his critics after the 2018 Masters champion won by one shot.
It followed criticism of his two-shot penalty for improving his lie in the December Hero World Challenge.
The world No8 said: “It doesn’t matter to me. Continuing to play the best I can, be the
AUSTRALIA survived an almighty scare from Sri Lanka to remain in the hunt for a semi-final place at theWomen’s T20 World Cup.
Having lost their opening game to India, Australia were fighting for survival when they slumped to 10-3 while chasing 123 in Perth.
But Meg Lanning (41 not out) and Rachael Haynes (60) compiled a 95-run partnership to set up a nervy best person I can and give an example to young children [is what matters]. I feel I’ve done a good job.” Off camera, Reed turned to Riley and said: “Way to ask that one.” Rory McIlroy, who finished fifth, has now spent 98 weeks as world No1 to overtake Nick Faldo by a week. McIlroy, 30, is third on the list behind Greg Norman (331) and Tiger Woods (683). five-wicket victory with three balls to spare.
Skipper Lanning said: “We definitely need to play better heading into the next couple of games, but sometimes it’s nice to just get off the mark for the tournament.”
India, meanwhile, maintained their 100 per cent start with an 18-run victory over Bangladesh.