The Sport Matrix: Saturday 15 November 2014

Ballesteros Jnr tees up career as professional

Javier Ballesteros, eldest son of the late Seve, has turned professional at the age of 24 and will begin his career by attempting to qualify for the third-tier Alps Tour.

“I have taken the decision of turning professional,” Javier (right) said yesterday. “This is something I have always wanted. My father had a long and difficult start in golf, mine is a bit easier, although I have a disadvantage in the sense everyone will always compare us.”

Seve Ballesteros won five majors, played in eight Ryder Cups between 1979-95 and captained Europe to Ryder Cup victory in 1997. He died of brain cancer in 2011.

Hope for Caterham after fundraising

Finbarr O’Connell, the administrator behind Caterham believes the team is on the brink of being saved after confirming they will race in Abu Dhabi. The original fundraising deadline of midnight last night has now been extended to the same time after the race at the Yas Marina circuit. It is hoped, after nearly £1.9m towards a £2.3m target was raised in a week, the shortfall will be gained in the event’s build-up.

Cook determined to beat his critics

Alastair Cook is ready to rebut his critics as his team prepare to begin their long campaign aimed at winning their first World Cup. “Without a doubt,” captain Cook said firmly, when he was asked if he had the shots and nous to open the batting and lead the one-day team.

Cotter unfazed by All Blacks record

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has inherited a century and more of failure against the All Blacks, but the New Zealander is upbeat ahead of today’s meeting. The Scots have not beaten New Zealand in 29 attempts, dating back 109 years. Ahead of the Test, Cotter said: “The record against New Zealand has been spoken about around the place. The only thing we have control of, however, is the present.”

Rooney: I nearly quit football at 14

Wayne Rooney has revealed how he nearly gave up football, ahead of today’s international game against Slovenia in which he will earn his 100th England cap. “Colin Harvey was a massive help because when I was about 14 I really stopped enjoying playing football,” Rooney said. “I was being told to do different things that I didn’t want to do and it was really down to Colin Harvey that I carried on.”