The Independent

Lara retired whilst still at the top of his game, making three hundreds in his last 10 innings

Brian Lara: West Indies legend likes look of the 'latest Lara'

He sees hope for the future of the tourists, especially in batsman Darren Bravo. But, he tells Stephen Brenkley, there should be a shake-up in the batting order.

Murray forced to battle for his birthday present

Paul Newman: World No 4 recovers from 3-1 down in deciding set before beating David Nalbandian 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 .

Gary Neville was part of the false dawn of the Golden Generation

With Neville in the camp, England's players should not fall prey to indifference

James Lawton: He will be Hodgson's most acute reader of the mood of the dressing room.

Lancaster looks into Flood warnings

Chris Hewett: Coach investigates Tigers fly-half's fitness and calls in outsiders for England squad to face Barbarians.

iBet: The next Aston Villa manager

Aston Villa have been reliably terrible this season, producing their worst every Premier League poin...

‘The things you have to do to throw a stick a long way’

I had to go inside to warm up as after 10 minutes outside I couldn’t feel my hands and I was shaking...

Top 14: Verdict on the season – part one

It’s time to pass verdict on each team’s season and to consider what lies ahead for them.

Racing

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Mickael Barzalona signed for Godolphin during the winter

Barzalona passes Dettori in pecking order

Yet again the strength in depth of the Classic generation at Ballydoyle is inviting invidious comparisons with the Turf's other superpowers. At Godolphin, in particular, a recent mood of renewal was abruptly suspended after both the first two Classics were won by their great rivals. Godolphin failed even to muster a runner in the 2,000 Guineas, while its two fancied fillies in the 1,000 Guineas both finished tailed off. The stakes will be uncomfortably high, then, when the unbeaten Mandaean measures his Investec Derby prospects in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York tomorrow. And there is commensurate significance, surely, in the fact that the imported colt will be ridden by another new recruit from France.

Camelot can turn dreams into reality

Jim Bolger weighs up Light Heavy's Derby prospects after hefty win

Tennis

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Andy Murray smiles on his birthday while beating David Nalbandian

Andy Murray forced to battle for his birthday present

They played "Happy Birthday" for Andy Murray at the end of his opening match in the Rome Masters here last night, but only after David Nalbandian had come close to spoiling the world No 4's day. Murray, who was celebrating his 25th birthday, recovered from 3-1 down in the deciding set before beating Nalbandian 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 after a gruelling encounter that lasted more than two and a half hours.

Sharapova cautious in defence of Roman title

Andy Murray fends off Nalbandian challenge

When in Rome, Rafael Nadal does not care if he's No 3

Roger Federer returns to No 2 in world rankings with Madrid Open triumph

Others

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Audley Harrison's shortcomings make for depressing viewing

Steve Bunce on Boxing: I was there at the start for Audley Harrison. I don't want to be there at the end

Audley Harrison is due back in Britain from his Los Angeles exile in the next week to start charm campaign number three or four or five in anticipation of his genuine "last chance" fight against Iraqi Ali Adams on 26 May.

Cycling: Ventoso profits as Cavendish and Co fall by the wayside

Speedway: Tributes come in for Richardson

Golf

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Darren Clarke celebrates victory last year

Darren Clarke draws Rock and Rose

The Open champion Darren Clarke has been drawn alongside Englishmen Justin Rose and Robert Rock in the group stages of this week's World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin near Marbella.

Lee Westwood picks Mike Waite as his temporary caddi

Athletics

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Kate Dennison during last year's World Championships in Daegu

Dennison up for pole vault rivalry

Kate Dennison claims losing her British pole-vault record to 20-year-old Holly Bleasdale has provided all the motivation she needs going into the Olympics.

Home fans happy to egg Jessica Ennis on to summer success

Sailing

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Ben Ainslie arrives back at the Royal Perth Annexe after the incident during the Finn class gold fleet racing at the ISAF World Sailing event

Ben Ainslie in unstoppable form in Falmouth

Ben Ainslie, just as part of lining himself up for a fifth Olympic medal and a fourth consecutive gold, is in unstoppable form at the world championship regatta being staged for the Finn singlehanders in Falmouth.