The Sport Matrix: Friday 14 June 2013

Apologetic Warner banned until Ashes for striking Root

David Warner offered an unreserved apology to England’s Joe Root yesterday for hitting him in the face. Warner has been banned by Australia until the start of the Ashes series and fined A$11,500 (£7,033) after the fracas in a late-night bar in Birmingham last weekend.

Warner, above, said he took full responsibility for his actions and promised such behaviour would not happen again. He had already been fined last month for an expletive-riddled rant on Twitter.

“I struck Joe Root in the face and I want to put my hand up and apologise publicly to Joe,” he said. “I am responsible for my actions, I am extremely remorseful. I’ve let not just my team-mates down, but Australia fans, support staff, myself and my family.”

Warner admitted that he had had a few drinks before he walked over to Root in the Walkabout bar in the early hours of Sunday morning but he denied that he had a problem with alcohol.

Warner added: “I don’t think I’ve got a drinking problem at all, I have just got to make the right decisions at the right time. The other night wasn’t a good time to go out and have a beer.” MORE

Mickelson enjoys momentous day

Phil Mickelson hit an opening 67 at the US Open at Merion after attending his daughter Amanda’s graduation only hours before tee-off, arriving back in Philadelphia at 3.30am yesterday morning. “I’m really proud of her,” said Mickelson. “I’m glad I went.” MORE

Evans upbeat after Del Potro defeat

Britain’s Dan Evans remained upbeat despite losing 6-0, 6-3 to Juan Martin del Potro at the Aegon Championships. “This week will put me up the rankings a little,” said Evans, who now heads into next week's Wimbledon qualifying tournament. MORE

Triumphs soothe grief of Cecil yard

Lady Cecil had two winners on her first day after taking over her late husband’s stable. James Doyle rode Morpheus, a half-brother to Frankel, to victory in Nottingham, before Songbird won in Yarmouth. MORE

Bolt blasts to win as Britons shine

Usain Bolt easily won the 200 metres at the Diamond League event in Oslo, setting a meeting record of 19.79sec. Briton Shara Proctor took the honours in the women’s long jump while Tiffany Porter won the 100m hurdles and Perri Shakes-Drayton was second in the 400m hurdles.

Murray at the double at Queen’s

Andy Murray made the perfect return by winning two matches at the Aegon Championships, completing a rain-affected match with Nicolas Mahut before overcoming Marinko Matosevic inside an hour to progress to the quarter-finals. MORE

England fall short against Sri Lanka

England must beat New Zealand on Sunday to secure a semi-final place in the Champions Trophy after Kumar Sangakkara’s unbeaten 134 inspired Sri Lanka to a seven-wicket win at The Oval. England made 293 for 7 but Sri Lanka reached their target with 17 deliveries to spare. MORE

Ronaldo denies talk of Real deal

Cristiano Ronaldo took to Twitter yesterday to deny claims that he has signed a new contract at Real Madrid. “All the news about my renewal with Real Madrid is false,” wrote the 28-year-old forward, who has two years left on his current deal.

Comment: Australian crisis

I look at this Australia team and I just don’t know where those senior players are, apart from Michael Clarke, left. Our guys are looking at each other and thinking, “What do we do now?” MORE

Tuilagi and North face fitness battle

The British and Irish Lions head coach, Warren Gatland, has indicated that his backs George North (hamstring) and Manu Tuilagi (shoulder) are struggling to be fit for the first Test with Australia on 22 June. Brian O’Driscoll, meanwhile, has a minor groin problem. MORE

Granovskaia and Schürrle join Blues

Chelsea are expected to announce the appointment of Marina Granovskaia to the club’s executive board today, while the west London club are finalising a £19m deal for the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder André Schürrle. MORE