Ricky Ponting's reign as Australia's captain skated on ever thinner ice | Mike Selvey

Not in the 27 years since Kim Hughes flagged away the national captaincy in a veil of tears and handed over to the teak-tough adopted Queenslander Allan Border has Australian cricket found itself in such a state of flux as it does at present. Border dragged the team up kicking and screaming to become World Cup winners; Mark Taylor refined it; Steve Waugh polished it and finally Ricky Ponting, over the course of seven years, gloried in it.

Perhaps, though, Ponting did a deal with the devil like Robert Johnson at the Crossroads: a chance to lead and triumph in one of the greatest sides the game has seen as one of its greatest players; an opportunity to achieve as leader things unprecedented, so much so that in desperation for competition that might stretch them they promoted the idea of playing a world XI. An intergalactic side would not have been able to challenge. But there would be a price to pay, a quid pro quo. For his side first would begin to fray, then crumble around the edges and finally disintegrate. There would be an inexorable slide towards not just normality but mediocrity at times and it would be Ponting who must preside over this downfall of a dynasty. His final series as captain of the Test side was to endure three home defeats by an innings, unheard of in Australian history, to ensure a third Ashes loss in four series. His last act as captain of the one-day side was to score a most masterly century in adversity but then shake hands with Mahendra Singh Dhoni as vanquished leader. The Australian trophy cabinet, once bulging with all the goodies the game can offer, now contains little of value beyond the lead on the roof.

It is a trade that anyone would have made though, even given those consequences . Steve Waugh played his valedictory matches knowing precisely the legacy that was there but also what the future would hold. It was a diamond-encrusted hospital pass. Timing is everything, including the exit. As has been pointed out elsewhere, Waugh, during 57 Tests in his five years as captain, introduced just six debutants to the side, and one of those was the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman who ever lived. Ponting has been in charge for 78 matches and in that time 32 players have made their debut, most of them in an attempt to replace the irreplaceable. In the last year or so, Ponting has been the one truly stellar performer in the firmament.

It is unfortunate for him that it is the manner of his going and the causes that remain to the forefront rather than what he has achieved for Australia. Under him, the side won 16 Test matches in succession. Under him, they swore revenge for the 2005 Ashes defeat and humiliated England by five matches to nil. Under his leadership, Australia did not lose a World Cup match until Pakistan beat them in Premadasa a couple of weeks ago, winning the trophy twice. Yet as he knew only too well, he is the man who lost those three Ashes series and now the fellow who surrendered the World Cup. As the most successful captain of all time he deserves to command a little more respect than that.

His successor, probably Michael Clarke, at least for now, does not have the luxury of taking over a side in the way that Ponting did. Only Ponting remains of those who lived through and tasted the real glory years. If it is Clarke he will know that things may well get a whole lot worse before they start to get better, for Australian cricket has developed a soft centre, its once formidable Sheffield Shield competition an imitation of the forge that it once was and by general consent of those intimate with both, not a patch on its county counterpart in England. Clarke may well have the presence and experience of Ponting on which to fall back, although it would be against the accepted protocol that deposed Australian captains never play on under someone else's leadership.

But even this may have its difficulties. Ponting, selflessly (for prominent among his many qualities is the absolute certainty that the team comes first) has continued to try and lead the side from batting's most challenging position at No3, his permanent home, when in his latter years, as the runs began to decline, it might have been less demanding to slip down the order. He has never shirked responsibility, never faltered, and, away from the heat on the field, has unfailingly conducted himself with patience and dignity as the same brickbats have been thrown at him.

If he has a role to play now, it must surely be as a battling but essentially paternal figure down the order. Clarke would be foolish not to want to use him as a crutch but Ponting would surely be equally wise in recognising that he can't give away the captaincy and then exert an influence. Besides which, although it would not be in his nature to offer less than 100% support should it be Clarke, and he is offered the chance to continue, it is well established that the pair are neither's cup of tea. "You wanted it that badly," he could be forgiven for thinking, "now you can get on with it. And the best of luck."

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India v Pakistan: Umar Gul targets India's 'crucial' top three

The Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul has promised to meet fire with fire in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final with India. Led by captain Shahid Afridi, Pakistan's attack has been a potent weapon on their run to the last four but their sternest test so far awaits them in Mohali when they encounter the most accomplished batting line-up at the tournament.

India's explosive opening duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag have combined for 721 runs so far, while 341 runs from the bat of Yuvraj Singh and 269 from Gautam Gambhir adds to the threat to the Pakistan attack.

However, Pakistan showed their teeth to the full in their quarter-final demolition of West Indies, dismissing their opponents for just 112 before easing to victory by 10 wickets. "India's batting line-up is very strong but our bowling is very good and equally up to the task," said Gul, who has taken 14 wickets in the tournament, seven fewer than his captain.

"Afridi is the leading wicket-taker. We have a bit of an advantage with our bowling but I am happy with the way the batsmen played in the quarter-final," continued Gul, who has set his sights on the early scalps of Tendulkar, Sehwag and Gambhir if Pakistan are to have a realistic chance of victory.

"The first three wickets are very crucial for us. They are depending on the top three," he said. "I am in good form and am looking for these three wickets."

Pakistan have never defeated India in a World Cup match and Gul concedes the stakes could not be higher: "Whether it is a knockout match or a league match, any match against India is a big match always, a high-pressure match," he said. "The last time we played here, we chased 327 but it depends on how the wicket behaves. The average good score here will be 270-280."

The experienced Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal is also expecting amomentous struggle in front of 30,000 partisan Indian fans. "It's a huge match for everyone, the players, the fans, everyone involved in it," he said. "A World Cup semi-final can only be surpassed in one-day cricket by the World Cup final itself. The added spice to the occasion of course is that the opponents are India and that the match is in India itself.

"For the Australian and English players the Ashes is a big series and for Indian and Pakistani players, the matches against your arch-rivals have a special meaning. The whole world will be watching and following the match and it should be a fantastic occasion. These are the sort of matches that you look forward to playing in and dream about."

After so many negative headlines in recent months, Ajmal is delighted the Pakistan team has managed to put together a strong showing on the game's biggest stage.

"We knew that many had written us off before the tournament and said that we would make it to the quarter-finals at best," he said. "We wanted to prove those people wrong and the best way to do that was to let our cricket do the talking. We won our group, we beat Sri Lanka, we defeated Australia but the job is only half done yet, we want to go further in this tournament."

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Jose Mourinho insists FA did offer England job to him first

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 8:51 AM on 29th March 2011

Jose Mourinho has countered claims from the Football Association that he was not approached for the England manager's job in 2007, insisting he was offered the position ahead of Fabio Capello.

In an interview with French sports daily L'Equipe, Mourinho revealed he was desperately close to accepting an offer from the FA before Capello was appointed in the wake of Steve McClaren's dismissal.

The Italian responded angrily to the Real Madrid coach's claim that he was 'hours' from taking his post, declaring it disrespectful to 'other managers' to discuss their jobs.

Plenty to ponder: Mourinho revealed he came close to accepting the England manager's job in 2007

The FA were distinctly unimpressed too, with officials stressing privately that, while they did speak to Mourinho, Capello was always their first choice.

In an official statement,an FA spokesman said: 'Fabio was our first choice for England manager,' a spokesman said. 'We have made that clear from the outset.'

But the Portuguese former Chelsea boss hit back, with his representative countering the FA's claims.

'The statement from the FA is not true,' Mourinho's spokesperson told the Daily Star.

'He was offered the job before Capello. There was a meeting between the FA and Jose and his agent Jorge Mendes in London. There was a lot of talk between the FA and Mendes.

'Jose made a dossier for the FA about what changes England needed to make and he came up with a project for the World Cup. When the offer was made, Jose was in Portugal.'

Italian's job: Capello was disappointed with Mourinho's comments about the England job

Capello, however, was left distinctly unimpressed at being told of Mourinho's admission, insisting: 'I don't speak about the relationship with the other clubs, out of respect for other managers.

'I don't like to speak about my relationship with the clubs, with other people. These are my personal secrets. I'll never tell you about what really happened in my career. I think it's serious.'

The FA tried to recruit the Italian as successor to Sven Goran Eriksson but were blocked by Juventus - in particular Juve deputy director general Roberto Bettega - and only then turned to Luiz Felipe Scolari and McClaren.

They explored the possibility of recruiting Mourinho but always suspected he would choose to remain in club management and they were proved right. At no point, they insist, was he ever the preferred option to the Italian.

When Capello was informed of Mourinho's interview, he insisted at first that he did not care.

In training: Capello puts the England squad through their paces ahead of the Ghana clash

'This is a question for the chairman who chose me, not a question for me,' he said. 'Every time a club or a different national team decides to choose a manager, they decide to speak with a lot of managers. It's normal. It's not different.'

Capello's mood soon changed, however, and would not have been helped by reports in Italy last night linking his trusted assistant, Franco Baldini, with a move back to Roma.

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Manchester United most hated UK company

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:19 AM on 29th March 2011

Manchester United have topped a new league table, but it is not one they are going to be proud of. The Barclays Premier League leaders are now the most hated company in the country.

They are more hated than the only people in the country who probably earn more than the club's multi-million pound stars - bankers.

In a survey of 1,000 UK adults, 26 per cent said they hated Manchester United compared to 23 per cent who cannot stand budget airline Ryanair, the next most despised company.

Most hated: Manchester United may have the biggest crowds and a winning record but their success and power alienates many

There is also plenty of resentment for companies who seem to be making big profits while the rest of the country suffers - the third most hated firm is British Gas.

Despised: Flamboyant Ryanair chief executive heads up the nation's second most hated company

Not surprisingly, Britain is also seething at the bankers living it up on big bonuses, with 17 per cent naming RBS and 16 per cent citing Lloyds as financial giants they cannot stand.

The poll, conducted by Online Opinions for The People, showed no love lost either for chains who appear to be taking over the nation's high streets - 19 per cent hate McDonalds and 14 per cent hate Starbucks.

But, perhaps surprisingly, Brits do not have the same feelings about other retail giants like Primark, Ikea and Tesco, all of which came out well in the survey.

Reasons for hating big business vary, according to the responses, with 61 per cent hating banks for their bonus culture, 54 per cent having a downer on oil companies for petrol prices and 51 per cent who can't stand utilities for hiking up energy bills.

Manchester United may have the biggest crowds and a winning record but their success and power alienates many others from across the country.

In both north-west England and London they are hated by 31 per cent - though many of these are probably supporters of their biggest rivals. That figure falls to 22 per cent in the South West and 23 per cent in East Anglia.

Ryanair gets the most negative response from Londoners where 31 per cent hate the airline, compared to just 13 per cent of those in the north-east.

Manchester United - 26 per cent
Ryanair - 23 per cent
British Gas - 22per cent
McDonalds - 19 per cent
RBS - 17 per cent
Lloyds Bank - 16 per cent
Starbucks - 14 per cent
BT - 13 per cent
Sky - 13 per cent
easyJet - 10 per cent
Network Rail - 9 per cent

Network Rail is most unpopular in the commuter heartlands of the south-east, while BT gets the thumbs down from 20 per cent in Scotland, but only 8 per cent in Wales.

A spokesman for Online Opinions said: 'It is not surprising that so many big companies are hated by so many people when you consider the ways in which they make themselves unpopular.

'Manchester United is possibly a victim of its own success and the way it is viewed by passionate fans of its rivals but it is different for banks and utilities.

'Banks get billions of pounds to rescue them from the public then go and splash out millions on bonuses while the rest of the country is in recession - no wonder they are so disliked.

'And utilities keep raising household bills at a time when people can afford them the least yet they still seem to be making lots of profits.

'With other companies, the reasons are more personal. Ryanair is probably the most popular airline in Britain thanks to cheap fares yet passengers still moan about having to pay for their luggage or booking by credit cards.'

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How to beat Kenya and Ethiopia the Alberto Salazar way | Lawrence Donegan

Barring some unforeseen misfortune, such as injury, we are going to read and hear a lot about Mo Farah in the run-up to the London Olympics, in which case we should also expect to read and hear a lot of about Alberto Salazar.

Farah, the Somalian refugee who is now running in British colours, is in the form of his life and his gold medal prospects in the Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m grow more realistic with every race - the most recent being this month's New York half-marathon. It was his first trip over the distance and he won - an unexpected triumph for which at least some of the credit must fall to Salazar, whom he has been training in Oregon since the start of the year even though their partnership was not formally announced until last month.

Over the next year Farah will be immersed in the methods and ways of the Oregon Project, a Nike-financed, Salazar-led group of elite runners based at the sports equipment company's campus near Portland.

The coach has stated time and again his aim is to the dismantle the middle and long distance hegemony of the East African elite and replace it with one of his own. It is, potentially, a Quixotic mission but it has certainly earned Salazar attention in his homeland. Track and field is not a big sport in the United States, especially in non-Olympic years, but it fair to say he is not toiling away in anonymity. Needless to say he is not shy of publicity, loves to talk (here's a lengthy interview he did with the running website competitor.com) and has a compelling life story. A running protégé as a teenager, he trained at the famous Greater Boston Track Club, he won the Boston marathon once and the New York marathon three times, was briefly a national figure and then burned out at the highest level before he was 30, the victim, he says, of an awkward running style which, in keeping with the coaching orthodoxy of the era, he didn't change in case it led to career-ending injuries. (These days he doesn't think twice about asking his athletes to change their running style if he believes it to be "inefficient".)

A full-time coach since 2001, he has never stopped running, though there was a brief intermission in 2007 when he suffered a heart attack. He apparently stopped breathing for 14 minutes but appears to have suffered no lasting effects. The indestructible Alberto Salazar.

Last year the New Yorker magazine ran a lengthy profile of him on the eve of the New York marathon focusing on his own running career and his training methods, which are viewed in some quarters as the master plan of a genius and in others as ineffective and "whacky'. The Wall Street Journal, another publication not noted over the years for its interest in track and field, opted for a mixture of both in a profile published on the eve of Farah's most recent victory under the headline "Mad Scientist' Salazar Charts a New Course to NY Half-Marathon".

This was a reference to the various technologies Salazar has experimented with, and developed, over the years, from the underwater treadmill (now standard issue at many sports teams and franchises across the US) to the cryosauna, which is supposed to be quicker and more effective than the traditional ice bath in soothing the injured athlete but which, it is fair to say, is still in the early stages of development. Some of the schemes and machines have worked, others have not. Regardless, Salazar is unrepentant and unremitting in pursuit of the dream for himself and his athletes.

"The number one sort of spur or reason for embracing all of the science is probably because of my desire for our runners to be competitive at an international level," Salazar explained to the WSJ. "I believe that we are running against the most talented and gifted distance athletes that the world has ever seen in the great East African runners, the Kenyans and Ethiopians… you do everything you possibly can legally, ethically, morally that gives you the chance to be better."

At least Mo Farah will know that no stone will be left unturned by his American coach in the search for Olympic gold. The question is, however, how much of a distraction might that search turn out to be?

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Vettel's brilliance lands win in Australia

The serenity of a Victorian autumn day, beside the lake and in the park, was destroyed by the raucous brilliance of Sebastian Vettel and it was not just the black swans who were ducking for cover.

When he is grinning, particularly beneath one of his beanie hats, the precocious German world champion does a passable impersonation of a simpleton to add to this amateur mimic's considerable collection. But his greatest attribute, apart from raw pace, which is outstanding, is intelligence. Last season it was subverted, on occasions such as Turkey, by an impetuousness, a lack of judgment, that caused some to question his potential as a champion driver.

However, the intelligence shone like a beacon at the end of last season and it was bright enough here as he opened his defence of his title with a drive that caught the breath. His quick mind was never going to be unduly troubled by this season's excessive demands, the introduction of the drag reduction overtaking system (DRS), the reintroduction of Kers, the new tyres and much else.

He hardly used DRS and did not use Kers at all – another worry for the other teams because that will be another half-second at his disposal. He blew the opposition away. And though Red Bull boast the best car in the race game, another was driven by Mark Webber, the local celebrity who knows the track better than anyone but who looked a struggling figure in comparison and limped home in fifth place. Having qualified on pole, almost 0.8sec ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Vettel's stroll in the park led him to the chequered flag more than 20 seconds ahead of the McLaren driver.

Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal, said: "Seb has been in unbelievable form all weekend. He drove an excellent race in what was a voyage into the unknown because no one knew how the tyres would react.

"We got the strategy just right. The crucial stage was after the first stop when Sebastian emerged behind Jenson [Button] who was on a drive-through penalty and, tactically, if they could have held up Sebastian it would have put him behind Lewis after the stop. He made a fair and fast move and that was decisive for the rest of the race and then it was just a case of controlling. We got away with a two-stop."

This was Vettel's 11th victory in 63 races and none has been more decisive, delivered with a hauteur which would have impressed the driver he idolised, Michael Schumacher. For the first time all week the sun came out and Red Bull could be seen in all their vivid colours. For a year and a half no one has been able to lay a racing glove on them. If Vettel's car is more reliable this year, and his temperament more serene, it will be very difficult for anyone else.

How Formula One, its very soul, craves for competition. This season was rigged, technically, to produce more exciting racing – too much so, in the opinion of many. But even Hamilton, for all his aggressive competitiveness, could not keep up with Vettel. A footballer once observed that Ossie Ardiles was such an elusively accomplished player that challenging him was like tackling dust. Trying to pass Vettel is like trying to overtake exhaust fumes or nail a shadow.

Horner said: "It was an immaculate race from Sebastian. He was inch perfect. He drove with great control and showed huge maturity in the way he controlled his pace at the front. He has won three races in a row and bookended the seasons. His confidence is very, very high. We came here confident that we had done our homework and preparation and in better shape than any other season.

"Qualifying was a surprise to us – the pace difference – particularly as we decided on Friday not to run Kers. We will run Kers in Malaysia. It was a very marginal decision not to run it here. In Malaysia there is a long run to the first turn and we are keen to get it on the car there."

However, the best performance may have come from Vitaly Petrov, who became the first Russian to reach the podium.

Fernando Alonso, who started in fifth, slid back to ninth on the first corner and Button, fourth on the grid, may also have got the vivid impression he had accidentally engaged reverse gear as the cars flashed by him. Button, though, for all the disappointments of his drive, had the most compelling tussle of the afternoon, with Felipe Massa.

A brooding Alonso finished fourth.

It was a miserable afternoon for Mercedes, whose two drivers, Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, were forced out following collisions. Williams suffered, too. But so did everyone beside Red Bull.

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Everton boss David Moyes is a target for struggling Aston Villa

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:01 PM on 27th March 2011

Aston Villa will put Everton manager David Moyes top of their short list this summer, with Gerard Houllier set to leave even if the club survive in the Premier League.

Chief executive Paul Faulkner said their ‘best chance of staying up is with Gerard’, but they have reserve-team boss Kevin McDonald available as a caretaker if results continue to slide.

Target: Everton manager David Moyes is top of Aston Villa's shortlist

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Andy Roddick crashes out of Sony Ericsson Open as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer ease through

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:42 AM on 27th March 2011

Defending champion Andy Roddick made a shock early exit from the Sony Ericsson Open on Saturday, suffering a second round loss to Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas 6-4 7-6.   

The world No 8, who struggled physically and needed medical treatment during the second set, said that he was likely suffering from a lingering bronchial infection.

'I had a little trouble breathing out there today. I've had something for a little while but I'm going to have it checked out when I get home,' the American revealed.   

Green Mile: Andy Roddick was surprising knocked out of the Sony Ericsson Open in the second round

Roddick was broken in the seventh game as 67th-ranked Cuevas took charge and although he battled on in a tight second set, he looked sluggish and bowed out in the tiebreak with consecutive forehand errors.   

'I'm just frustrated. You don't like going out there with less than what you have got and I feel like I have been doing that a lot,' he said. 'It's not like I'm super mad because I had chances or lost or didn't play. It's just frustrating.'   

The win was the first for Cuevas against a top 10 ranked player and left the tournament without another drawcard after Britain's Andy Murray was defeated by U.S. qualifier Alex Bogomolov on Friday.   

Meanwhile No 1 seed Rafael Nadal had no such problems and was satisfied with his 6-4 6-4 win over Kei Nishikori of Japan.   

Stretching his run: Rafael Nadal was typically ruthless in his win over Kei Nishikori

'I'm very happy about how I played. I think I played at a high level tonight,' Nadal said. 'The feeling was better than last week, so that's important. My serve worked very well at the end of the match.'   

Leading 2-1 in the first set, Nishikori failed to convert on two break opportunities and Nadal promptly broke the Japanese player in the ensuing game. In the eighth game, Nishikori again failed to convert on two break points.   

Nadal broke Nishikori in the opening game of the second set and held serve to close out the match.   

Fed express: Former World No 1 Roger Federer had few problems in his match

Third seed Roger Federer also advanced, enjoying a routine 6-3 6-3 win over Czech Radek Stepanek earlier on Saturday.   

The victory took Federer alongside Pete Sampras with 762 career wins, equal seventh overall. Jimmy Connors tops the list with 1,241 wins.   

'It's a funny stat,' the Swiss said. 'But it shows how long I have been around already, how much I've won all around the world and on all the different surfaces.'   

Federer, seeking his third Miami title, was ruthless, converting all three of his break point chances.

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Strauss likely to resign as ODI captain

Andrew Strauss is widely expected to resign as England's one-day captain following another World Cup failure but his coach, Andy Flower, insists that there will be no snap decision with a final resolution delayed until as late as mid-May.

World Cups have been natural watersheds for England captains of recent vintage with Alec Stewart (1999), Nasser Hussain (2003) and Michael Vaughan (2007) all stepping down, at least in one-day cricket, soon after the tournament.

Strauss's resignation was forecast before the World Cup and the expectation will intensify after England crashed out in the quarter-finals with a thumping 10-wicket defeat by Sri Lanka in Colombo, but Flower insists that no definite decision has been made.

"Straussy and I talked about this briefly when a story broke speculating about his one-day future," he said. "So we have discussed it and he certainly shouldn't be making any decisions right now. And he's not.

"He's got a few weeks off with his family at home and so have I. We will be discussing this subject. He's still a very important part of England's cricket future and whether that includes one-day cricket or not, let's clear our minds, have a couple of weeks away from each other and we will have a clearer idea of the situation and the way forward."

Strauss's retention as Test captain, following England's Ashes triumph, is not remotely under scrutiny, but a split captaincy no longer fazes England and, at 34, he would be hard pressed to carry England into the next World Cup in Australia in 2015.

Five months away from home would tempt any cricketer, however committed, to contemplate retirement, especially one, like Strauss, with a young family to consider.

If he has an ambition in mind it must surely be to prolong his Test career long enough to lead England in back-to-back Ashes series in England in 2013 and Australia a few months later. And that might mean abandoning the one-day game to allow himself more time to breath.

"We should have an eye on the next World Cup," Flower said. "I think the planning for that should begin now."

England's problem is not as much that Strauss might stand down as the succession. With Paul Collingwood, the Twenty20 captain, also reaching the end of his international career, and Kevin Pietersen an increasingly unpredictable quantity, there is no obvious candidate to double up as a one-day captain at 20- and 50-over level.

This will also be high up the agenda when Hugh Morris, the managing director of England cricket, chairs a debrief in early to mid-May.

Vaughan believes that a Strauss resignation is likely. "He is an outstanding Test captain and his one-day batting has improved over the last year or so," he said. "But he'll also understand that when he gets home and the dust settles he needs to decide what is best for the England team.

"You are away for so long. He has a lovely young family and it comes to a stage when he needs to ask himself if he needs to be doing that consistently and will he be at the next World Cup in four years' time. You have to say he probably won't be.He may carry on into the summer, but I have a sneaky suspicion that this was his last game."

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Mirco Demuro shows Meydan is a place where bold riding can flourish

Sheikh Mohammed takes a long-term view of everything, so year two of the Dubai World Cup at its vast new home at Meydan is much too early to make firm judgments. When the man behind both the Godolphin ownership operation and Meydan itself pauses to consider the events of Saturday night, though, he may conclude that his most important racing projects are progressing well.

In terms of bringing the racing world to Dubai the 2011 World Cup meeting drew horses from a much broader range of countries than the Breeders' Cup is ever likely to achieve. The feature event saw a 1-2 for Japan while the reappearance of runners from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle, one of which went within a nose of victory, was another important boost for a meeting that the Sheikh wants to build year on year.

As for Godolphin, Rewilding showed in the Sheema Classic that he has the potential to win a major European Group One this season, the only reservation being Godolphin's own belief that he needs plenty of time between races. His route through the campaign will need to be plotted with great care but Khawlah, the first filly to win the UAE Derby, is a realistic Oaks prospect and Godolphin know they also have White Moonstone, a Group One winner last year, at home too. If one of Godolphin's three-year-old colts turns out to be a top-notcher, they could be serious players in most of the big races this season - assuming, of course, that the British ones have prize funds that meet the Horsemen's tariff. If not, apparently, their horses will go elsewhere, a point of principal that is likely to be tested sooner rather than later.

Other features of Saturday's action, though, were more troubling with an eye on the future, not least that the Dubai World Cup itself was, for the second year running, a slowly run muddle that saw the wide-drawn favourite, Twice Over, effectively beaten by the time they left the first turn.

Mirco Demuro's ride on the winner Victoire Pisa, left, was brilliant and, though one could argue that he was simply doing what he is paid to do – jockeys are meant to be the brains of the operation, after all –, he deserves huge credit for being the only one in the field to seize the moment. Demuro realised that the pace was too slow and made a bold move towards the head of the field while others sat and watched. It was a very brave decision in a $10m race.

Yet a true Grade One event should generally be 95% about the horse and 5% about the jockey. This race was almost the other way around, and last year's World Cup winner, Gloria De Campeao, also benefited from a very canny ride.

The two major turf races on Saturday were both won by finishers, most notably the Duty Free, in which Ryan Moore got it precisely right as he went from last to first on Presvis. Too many races on the Tapeta track, though, seem to be about getting a position, then crawling and sprinting, which in a big field can mean that three or four runners are relying on a miracle from the start.

It could be a difficult habit to break since jockeys might see it as a percentage call which will work if they are lucky and offer a ready-made excuse if not. Then again, it might just be that there is still a shortage of jockeys with enough first-hand experience, and thus sufficient confidence, to ride a proper race on Tapeta.

Victoire Pisa's win did at least show that a moment of genius in the saddle can have its reward. Building the world's biggest racecourse in barely three years is one thing but fully establishing it as a top-class venue is another. Like the Sheikh racing fans may need to take a long-term view when it comes to Meydan.

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Anton Hysen: It's time a Premier League player comes out

By Alex Kay
Last updated at 12:36 AM on 22nd March 2011

Every day for the past fortnight, Anton Hysen has received dozens of emails from people telling him he is their hero. They have come from Chile, Belgium, America and the UK.

There are requests for interviews, pleas for autographs and, more than anything else, messages telling him he is an inspiration. Why? Because Hysen is the only footballer in the world brave enough to admit he is gay.

Considering no footballer has come out during their career since Justin Fashanu in 1990, Hysen was going into the unknown when he took on football’s final taboo.

Breaking new ground: Openly gay footballer Anton Hysen hopes his bold admission will ease the burden on others wanting to do the same

He told the world he was gay in Swedish football magazine Offside a fortnight ago. Remarkably, doing so was not a big deal for the 20-year-old - son of former Liverpool defender Glenn - even if it grabbed the attention of the rest of the world.

‘I started to think I was gay when I was 18,’ says Hysen, a midfielder for his dad’s fourth-tier side Utsiktens in Gothenburg. ‘I had probably known deep down for a lot longer but it was then that I started to think about it more seriously.

‘I told my cousin first, who is a lesbian. Then I told my mother and my dad, and then my uncle because he’s gay too. I probably went a year between knowing I was gay and telling my parents. I thought, “I don’t care. If they kick me out, then they kick me out. What are they going to say?” ’

Proud parents: Anton's father, former Liverpool defender Glenn, has had no problem adjusting to his son's sexuality

Hysen chats away enthusiastically, with a bizarre American twang. We meet at Utsiktens’ clubhouse and he is free with his time - insisting only that he gets back home in time to watch Liverpool on television. He seems unfazed by his emergence from relative anonymity to being one of the most famous people in Sweden.

‘People say it is horrible living with the secret, but it wasn’t like that for me. If people said, “Look at that girl, she’s hot”, I’d just say, “OK”.

‘I haven’t had anything negative so far from my family, friends or team-mates. We joke around about it all the time. I was aware that being a gay footballer hadn’t been done often but I figured that is other people’s problem, not mine. I just want to play football.

Difficulties: Justin Fashanu was the first footballer in England to 'come out', but faced real hardship following the announcement

'If people want to call me things, go ahead. I don’t care. I’m still going to play football. I have two managers. My dad was, of course, fine and the other one said that if anybody makes any comments, to tell him and they will be kicked out the team.’

There is no hint of bigotry from his team-mates. Hysen’s only public embarrassment has come from being famous rather than being gay - his ex-girlfriend circulated a nearly naked picture of him online.

But he sees it as a tiny price to pay, and is hoping others - including players in the Barclays Premier League - follow his example and come out, after Fashanu’s tragic story appeared to have put people off.

Fashanu came out 21 years ago but struggled to find sufficient support from his family - including brother and England striker John - and eventually committed suicide in 1998 after his career nosedived because of injuries.

‘I know about Justin - tragically,’ he says. ‘My dad had told me what happened. It’s a tragic story. Who turns their back on their own brother like that? It’s really sad. What kind of human being are you if you do that? His story has had a knock-on effect.

‘The reason no footballer has come out since Justin is that they are afraid. Of fans’ reactions, that their families and friends will turn their backs on them. Or they are afraid their football careers are going to disappear. It might not be easy but it’s better to be honest with yourself.

‘I’m not in a top division so it might be different, but I’m still in a team, still playing football. England is the biggest league in the world and there would be a big pressure to come out over there.

‘I understand in some ways that somebody wouldn’t come out but you just have to be strong and have the support from your family. I hope someone takes that step.’

It would be a huge step, even taking into consideration the support rugby player Gareth Thomas and cricketer Steven Davies have had since they came out.

Hysen has yet to see if there will be any fan backlash when the season starts in Sweden. He has only received one negative email since the interview was published.

‘There must be players everywhere in the world who are gay or bisexual. I hope people can learn from this. Some people obviously think it matters that you’re gay but they just need to learn to accept it. They need to learn more about it.

‘Being gay is the one taboo left that sport needs to deal with. I think we’re going in the right direction with Steve Davies and Gareth Thomas - I just hope more people will do it and we can have a brighter future.

One of the group: Anton has received overwhelming support from friends, family and team-mates

‘There is a macho culture. I’ve not seen it yet but you hear about these people who make comments about the showers and stuff. Because people think, “Oh, he’s gay - he must like every guy in the world”. It’s ridiculous.

‘It’s a stupid, judgmental stereotype. We have to teach people it’s not like that. People shouldn’t care what you do with your private life. More people have to come out though, first.’

That might be more likely in this country if Hysen was playing over here, rather than for his father in the lower leagues of Sweden.

And that is his ambition, a natural one, since his past and present are so linked to England. He was born in Liverpool during his dad’s time at the club and is still an obsessive fan, bellowing out You’ll Never Walk Alone in tiny clubhouse showers, emerging with a Liverpool towel and speaking of his admiration for Steven Gerrard.

Solidarity: England's premier gay football club, Stonewall FC, pictured here in 2000 after becoming the world champions of gay football

The dream is to leave his part-time footballer, part-time construction worker life behind and play full time in England.

‘I was born with a ball. And supporting Liverpool. I lived in England when my dad was playing there and we were supposed to stay, but we moved back to Sweden when I was three.

‘I wish we’d stayed - I don’t like Sweden at all,’ adds Hysen, who remains single despite his revelation. ‘I’d love to play in England. I trained with Doncaster Rovers a couple of years ago and they invited me back. But I was injured and took too long to recover. Maybe I’ll get back at some point. If a club called me up and asked to come over, I definitely would.’

A more immediate return could be to take up the invitation to be the guest of honour at gay football team Stonewall FC’s 20th anniversary celebrations in London. By the time they reach their 25th year, Hysen is hoping he will be just one of many gay men in the game.

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Steven Gerrard insists Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez are better for Liverpool than Fernando Torres

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 2:15 PM on 27th March 2011

Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool are better off having sold Fernando Torres to Chelsea and brought in Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Many felt the Reds had got the raw end of the deal when Torres joined the Blues in a ?50million deal on transfer deadline day, while Kenny Dalglish moved to bring in Suarez from Ajax and Carroll from Newcastle for a British record fee of ?35m.

But Torres has yet to score for Chelsea since his big money move, while Suarez and Carroll have made promising starts to life at Anfield, with the former turning in an outstanding performance in the 3-1 win over Manchester United.

Good deal: For the money they raised from selling Fernando Torres, Liverpool got Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez

And Gerrard said: 'Suarez has only played a few games but we know he will be a top player. Training and playing with him in his first few games he has been strong and technically good, but Fernando in his first year with us was frightening as well.

'But I think Liverpool are in a better position having two top forwards instead of one. I enjoyed playing behind Fernando but if you said I could have Fernando on form or Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez on form, I would take the two over one.'

In the interview with Sky Sports Gerrard revealed the Liverpool players had felt let down by Torres' decision to leave.

top of the flops: Torres has failed to score since joining Chelsea

'We felt slightly let down, like the supporters we wanted him to stay as he is a top player. But he made his decision and we have to respect that,' he said.

The Reds skipper also claimed the club were right to part company with Roy Hodgson following a difficult start to the former Fulham boss' tenure at Anfield.

'When the Liverpool fans turn against you you have to listen,' said Gerrard. 'They are Liverpool Football Club.'

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Jeremy Hunt issues warning to BOA over financial disagreement

By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 11:44 AM on 27th March 2011

Culture Minister Jeremy Hunt has told the British Olympic Association to sort out their financial squabbles, declaring: 'There is no more money.'

The BOA are in dispute with the 2012 organising committee (LOCOG) over how any profits from the enterprise will be divvied up.

Making his point: Hunt has told the BOA to sort out their financial squabble

As it stands, the BOA would be entitled to a cut of any surplus after 2012, but with Paralympic losses expected to cancel out any Olympic gains, this would likely be a negligible figure.

Instead, the BOA want to take a share before the Paralympic results are taken into account and, despite the IOC ruling against them, are taking their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Should they be successful, it would require either LOCOG somehow to generate more money, or for the cash to be shifted from the wider sport budget, affecting other projects.

Hunt, the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, is also worried the conflict could cause the bodies to take their eyes off the ball in other areas.

The clock is ticking: The London Olympics kick-off in just over a year

He told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek: 'It's an extraordinary thing just over a year before the games that we're getting into this sort of dispute which, frankly, isn't going to benefit anyone. It's just going to line the pockets of lawyers.

'The BOA is fantastically important to the success of 2012. 'They have got to look after 550 athletes, it's a massive logistical operation to run that village...and they've got to run the holding camp. 'Everyone in that organisation needs to be focused on that logistical challenge.

'The second thing is I can't really see how anyone's going to be a winner from this because there is no more money. 'Sport got a very good settlement in the comprehensive spending review.

Eyes on the prize: London's 2012 chief Lord Sebastian Coe (right)

'No-one's going to be able to go back to the Treasury and ask for more money so even if the BOA win, the money's going to have to come out of another part of the sports budget or the Olympics budget. 'So I really hope everyone involved will settle this as quickly as possible and focus on what the country wants, which is 2012.'

The situation has led to speculation over the future of BOA chairman Lord Moynihan, whose position many feel would be untenable should his organisation lose. He and his chief executive, Andy Hunt, have already been excluded from LOCOG board meetings.

Asked to comment on Moynihan's position, Jeremy Hunt said: 'The BOA rightly operates at arm's length from the Government so who they have is up to them.

'But what I would say as the Culture Secretary is this is not the right argument for us to be having so close to having the Olympics in our country and we need to sort it out very quickly.'

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Tiger Woods in Masters mood after 'very good' week finishing 24th

Tiger Woods has put himself into 'Masters mode', ending weeks of introspective analysis to state confidently that he can win the Augusta major for a fifth time next month.

Woods shot an even-par 72 in the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill on Sunday to end the week one-under, seven shots behind the winner Martin Laird, of Scotland, in joint 24th.

The numbers were not great but Woods was happy with his hitting throughout a round which was damaged by a bogey on the 17th and then a double bogey on the final hole where he found water.

Afterwards Woods was asked about his driving, his putting and his comfort level.

The 14-times major winner has been willing to share his problems of late but this time the message was that he was getting better in all those areas and that crucially, for those who wonder whether he still has that formidable confidence, he had no doubt about whether he can triumph at Augusta.

Woods had a one-word answer to the question of whether he could win: "Absolutely."

It was old-school Tiger, a sign that with just over a week to prepare for the Masters he is now in the zone and no longer focusing on the doubts and what he has called "the process".

"It was a very good week and a week I need to see. I really hit the ball well and the things that we have been working on for the last couple of weeks really, really felt comfortable today, I felt I was able to control just about every shot today," he told reporters.

His driving? "Much better. Every day has gotten a little bit tighter which is good. I have to keep working, keep staying the course, each day is progressing. Today was really nice," he said.

"I need to keep progressing and hopefully it will peak two more Thursdays from now. Early in the year was disappointing because the conditions showed some signs of weakness that I had to work on – now it's feeling very, very good".

That positive talk was, however, made against the backdrop of a messy end to his round.

"I played well all day and the best shot I hit was on 17th but it didn't come out. On 18 I was caught between clubs, went with the lower one and didn't luck out.

"I hit three water balls this week and had a few missed putts here and there and I'm not that far behind. Add all that together, you can't afford to make those mistakes."

Woods is missing next week's tour event in Houston and instead he heads early to Augusta to start practice. Last year Woods went into Augusta without playing any tour events and finished tied fourth.

"It is nice to have some tournaments under my belt and be more in tournament shape going in. They have made a couple of changes at Augusta. I'll take a look at those and develop a game plan," he said.

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John Lloyd: Andy Murray needs help if he is to achieve his potential

By Malcolm Folley Last updated at 2:08 AM on 27th March 2011

Troubled tennis star Andy Murray was urged by former Davis Cup captain John Lloyd last night to add an experienced coach to his back-up team or risk failing to fulfil his potential.

After Murray's latest setback, a humiliating defeat at the hands of American journeyman Alex Bogomolov Jnr in Miami on Friday night, Lloyd said Murray should consider appointing a coach from a shortlist of Australians Darren Cahill and Bob Brett, Sweden's former world No 1 Mats Wilander or American superstar Jimmy Connors.

Lloyd said: 'Cahill and Brett are proven coaches, having between them masterminded success for Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, Lleyton Hewitt and Goran Ivanisevic.

In need of help: Andy Murray's form has been woeful

'Wilander and Connors are great champions with undeniable knowledge of what it takes to win majors.

'Andy has to ask himself how badly he wants to fulfil his dream. If he is as determined to win a Grand Slam as we believe him to be, then he has to hire a coach with experience and maturity to ensure that his undoubted talent is rewarded.

'Men like Cahill, Brett, Wilander and Connors come with a price-tag, but with Andy's income running into millions, surely he can see the positive benefits of spending $400,000 a year on a coach. He has to be bold and make someone an offer he cannot refuse.

'He clearly needs someone around him to drive him. Of course, Andy is his own boss but, from the outside, you can't see how his camp is right.'

During his alarming decline since he appeared in the Australian Open final two months ago, Murray has been reliant on coaching advice from his friend, Dani Vallverdu, who has no experience in the cauldron of professional tennis, and Spaniard Alex Corretja, a runner-up twice in the French Open who works with Murray part-time.

Humiliated: Murray was left with plenty to ponder after losing to Alex Bogmolov Jnr (right)

Murray's defeat was his third pitiful performance since he left Melbourne. If he does not treat it as an alarm call for change, he risks being accused of being blind to the mounting evidence of a looming crisis.

He has now lost nine sets in a row, being beaten in succession by Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final, Marcos Baghdatis and two American qualifiers, Donald Young and Bogomolov, on the hard courts he likes the most.

Last week, he hailed the return of Vallverdu, who played collegiate tennis in America and Davis Cup for Venezuela, after five weeks away from him, as the panacea to his problems.

'It's important to have a constant figure who is there all the time,' said Murray.

Tim Henman, who carried the expectations of the British public before Murray, said last week: 'I feel Andy needs support, but should he get a full-time coach? It's horses for courses. With Andy's personality, there's no point employing a coach just for the hell of it if he's not going to listen.'

Lloyd added: 'Andy needs to think hard about his future as we know he has the talent.'

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Scotland 0-2 Brazil | International friendly match report

As Brazil began their farewells to a former hero, further proof that a new star has been born arrived in London.

Comparisons between Ronaldo and Neymar begin and end at the fact both are Brazilian and both know exactly where the goal is. The recently retired Ronaldo appeared on the Emirates pitch before kick-off to take a bow before followers who still adore him. The 34-year-old was never famed for being lean during his career but unlearned observers would now take some convincing to believe he was the best player in the world not so long ago.

Neymar, conversely, has a frame so slight and face so boyish that you could fear for his safety against rugged Scottish defenders. He is the epitome of appearances being deceptive, as was illustrated for the latest occasion here.

The 19-year-old, already courted by at least Chelsea and Real Madrid, will generate a serious amount of money when he is eventually coaxed away from Santos. From a position on the left side of Brazil's front three, Neymar proved Scotland's tormentor-in-chief by scoring the goals which endorsed the dominance of the Brazilians.

Elements of Scotland's support understandably over-indulge with alcohol as a means to forget about defeat. Those who stayed sober for this friendly should have only appreciated the skill of someone who is only just old enough to imbibe.

Afterwards, Neymar's national manager was posed with what will become ever-more frequent questions regarding where the player's future will lie. Far from discourage Neymar regarding a life-changing move to England, the Brazil manager Mano Menezes virtually advocated such a transfer.

"I think that could only be good for Neymar," said Menezes when asked directly about the prospect of Chelsea acquiring the youngster's services. "Going to England would give him more physical strength, to enable him to escape strong marking. If he got that, he would be a more complete player to of course it would be good for him.

"Of course, if young players leave Brazilian football when they are young then it is bad for us. It deprives us of the opportunity to watch them play but I understand the personal ambitions of each one of them and the financial benefits available to them."

Brazil's football federation benefitted in monetary terms from the latest round of their world tour. This could be regarded, then, as the perfect exercise with Scotland essentially unable to trouble their illustrious opposition.

Craig Levein and his players, in fact, readily discovered that Brazilians have little trouble indulging in the less glamorous side of the game at which the Scots have been forced to master.

For long periods, it looked as if those in blue and white were being restricted to one touch per minute.

Neymar was eventually withdrawn 60 seconds before the end of stoppage time, allowing the forward to earn the ovation he deserved from one half of the ground at least. Menezes could reasonably have substituted his star man on humanitarian grounds a lot earlier.

The opening goal is worthy of more credit than some may give it. Albeit Scotland - and Scott Brown, bizarrely given he had spent the preceding minutes arguing with the Brazil midfielder - were slack in allowing Andre Santos to cavort down his left flank, Neymar's finish was exquisite. A curling but not fierce shot ended up in virtually the one corner of the goal where the Scotland goalkeeper Allan McGregor had no chance of covering.

There rarely seemed much likelihood of Scotland recovering. Their sole striker, Kenny Miller, was so marginal he had cause to place a Lonely Hearts advert.

Neymar clipped McGregor's crossbar with an effort within seconds of the second-half getting underway. It was from the penalty spot, though, that he rightly emphasised Brazil's superiority.

Charlie Adam found himself on the wrong side of Neymar inside the area, with a tired - and illegal, in the view of the referee Howard Webb - challenge following. The moment rather summed up the afternoon of Adam, for whom high hopes are now routinely held.

"Charlie told me afterwards that he was disappointed with the way he played," said Levein. "I told him that shows how far he has come in the last year, that he has that disappointment. It was refreshing to hear him speak like that; some people had spoken before the game about Charlie being as good as anyone on the pitch."

There was never any doubt that Neymar would dispatch from 12 yards. McGregor, who had kept the scoreline respectable with a string of smart saves, was left feeling as helpless as his team-mates. The Scots can take solace from the fact they won't be the last team to suffer on account of a fresh-faced kid from Sao Paulo.

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