The Sports Matrix: Thursday 1 September 2011

Morgan leads way in England victory

England beat India in the T20 international at Old Trafford last night by 6 wickets, with three balls left. India scored 165 in their 20 overs, with Jade Dernbach taking 4 for 22. Eoin Morgan top scored with 49 from 39 balls in England’s successful chase. MORE

Greene confident of hurdles glory

Dai Greene believes he will perform well in today’s 400m hurdles final at theWorld Championships. “I know I’ll have the confidence,” the 25-year-old said. “There are a lot of guys running close, but I’ve beaten them all at some point of the season.” MORE

‘My head snapped, I heard a crack’

Wales flanker Dan Lydiate has spoken to i of the moment when he broke his neck less than four years ago. “My head snapped forward, I heard a crack, and that was it. I knew it wasn’t good.” MORE

England to play in third-full stadium

England’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria will take place in a less than half-full stadium in Sofia, as fewer than 15,000 tickets have been sold for the 43,600-seater stadium. Theo Walcott and Ashley Young are likely to start on the wings for England. MORE

McIlroy turns down Seve Trophy

Rory McIlroy will not take part in the Vivendi Seve Trophy due to his busy schedule. The Northern Irishman was part of the winning side in Paris two year ago but has spoken of his wish to have a two week break before three consecutive months of play. MORE

Hennessey happy to help England

Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey accepts that they would do England a favour if they can beat Montenegro tomorrow night. “We would be helping them out with a result on Friday,” he said, “but I’ll take that because it’s about what we do. We want a lift.” MORE

Murray cruises through opener

Andy Murray eased past India’s Somdev Devvarman 7-6, 6-2, 6-3 to make it into the second round. The Scot recovered from an early break of serve in the first set to make the second stage for the seventh year in a row. He will face Robin Haase next. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

There is a strong case for one shortened transfer window in the summer, to encourage vision and planning rather than reflex spending. The current system unsettles players and clubs, as the Luka Modric saga has shown. MORE

Crouch out, Parker in at Spurs on busy deadline day

Tottenham Hotspur were one of the busiest clubs on deadline day, selling Peter Crouch but buying Scott Parker, and, crucially, keeping Luka Modric. Striker Crouch joined Stoke City last night on a four-year deal, adding to the striking options at the Britannia Stadium. Wilson Palacios made the same move for a fee of £8m. Scott Parker left West Ham to sign for Tottenham Hotspur for £5m while David Bentley has travelled in the opposite direction on a season-long loan. Elsewhere, Arsenal confirmed the signings of international defenders Andre Santos and Per Mertesacker, while pushing for deals for midfielders Yossi Benayoun and Mikel Arteta. Manchester City confirmed the signing of Owen Hargreaves on a one-year deal, after the midfielder was released by Manchester United at the end of last season. Liverpool continued their summer clear-out, loaning Joe Cole to Lille, losing Christian Poulsen to Evian and selling David N’Gog to Bolton Wanderers. Bolton have also signed Gaël Kakuta on loan from Chelsea for six months. MORE

Lille impressed by Cole ambition

Lille general manager Frédéric Paquet told i how impressed he was by the ambition of new signing Joe Cole. “He wants to come again in his career and we like that in him,” he said. “We want that type of spirit in football. He made his decision quickly.” MORE

Robson undone by ‘too many’ errors

Laura Robson made a second round exit at Flushing Meadows yesterday, losing in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, against Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues. “I just made too many mistakes,” she admitted. “I could have played better; I just went for too much.” MORE