The Sports Matrix: Friday 2 September 2011

GB’s Greene wins ‘dream’ Daegu gold

Dai Greene won gold for Britain at the World Championship in Daegu yesterday, winning the 400m hurdles final after a powerful home straight, which he began in fifth place. “It’s a dream come true,” said the 25-year-old. “This has been my aim all season.” MORE

England seizes surprise silver

Hannah England won the 1,500m silver medal yesterday at the World Championships. The 24-year-old narrowly qualified for the final but ran an exceptional home straight, breaking from the back to finish second in a time for 4min 05.68sec. MORE

McCann confident of crucial victory

Northern Ireland midfielder Grant McCann believes that his team can win their vital qualifier at home to Serbia tonight. They have lost similar games before, but McCann said: “The difference this time is that there is a massive belief in the squad.” MORE

Murray leaving nothing to chance

Andy Murray is taking no risks as he prepares for his second-round match with Robin Haase, following a series of illness-enforced withdrawals. “A lot of people have been getting sick. You want to stay away from it,” he said. “I’ve been avoiding the locker rooms.” MORE

Long to play as Irish host Slovakia

Shane Long will start up front for the Republic of Ireland in their crucial home qualifier against Slovakia tonight. Ireland are top of Group B and a win would edge them towards qualification after three improving years under Giovanni Trapattoni. MORE

Dernbach: Success is all in the mind

Jade Dernbach says that his mentality is crucial to his successful death bowling for the England one-day side: “It is always a case of understanding you have more time than you realise, so don’t rush things. The most important thing for me is the next ball.” MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

Wayne Rooney can continue work on one of English football’s most impressive reclamation jobs tonight. He has grasped the importance of focus, and may just deliver more than the ‘Golden Generation’ ever did. MORE

Terry fears losing England place to ‘hungry’ Jones

John Terry admitted yesterday that he fears losing his England place to Phil Jones, although the Manchester United defender may not start the Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria tonight. Jones has started his United career impressively, Terry saying yesterday: “He’s the one I’m looking over my shoulder at. He clearly wants a place in the England side, whether mine or someone else’s. He’s hungry for that.” Fabio Capello, however, said he was more likely to blood Chris Smalling than Jones in Sofia tonight. He said Smalling was “ready”, after playing “really well” at right-back so far this season. “He is really good, really good.” Of Jones, Capello suggested that he was “probably a risk”, and so the Italian coach is more likely to choose Gary Cahill to partner Terry. Darren Bent is a doubt, so Capello is set to play 4-3-3, with a midfield of Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard and James Milner behind Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott. MORE

Lansbury inspires England thrashing

England Under-21s beat Azerbaijan 6-0 at Vicarage Road last night, thanks to two excellent volleys from Henri Lansbury and two headers from Craig Dawson. Jordan Henderson, captain for the night, and Martyn Waghorn scored the other goals. MORE

Chanderpaul pulls Bears towards top

Shivnarine Chanderpaul brought Warwickshire level with Yorkshire’s first innings score yesterday, scoring 110 on the second day at Edgbaston. Warwickshire, who closed on 281 for 6, are one point behind County Championship leaders Lancashire. MORE