He could certainly do with the big man’s encouragement, so let’s hope Harrison and the amateurs can repair their differences. Meanwhile, he now defends his new WBF “title” in Bristol on Saturday against 39-year-old warhorse and stand-in Julius Francis – hardly an Olympian task.insidelines independent.co.ukExit LinesI remember Sue Campbell kissing me on top of the head It was a bizarre thing to do. Former anti-doping chief Michele Verroken on her equally bizarre sacking by the UK Sport chair… If we got to the stage where it was time for Dario to go then it would be time for the board to go.

Crewe chairman John Bowler pledges everlasting support for long-serving manager Dario Gradi… He told everyone his grandad had run the mile in four seconds Drug-free, too Sir Roger Bannister reveals his grandson’s nursery tales.. The man responsible for keeping the world’s athletes out of harm’s way at the Olympic Games is there to be shot at Quite literally. Quite literally.
Last week George Voulgarakis, Greece’s new Minister for Public Order, who has been brought in to mastermind the billion-dollar security operation, volunteered to be taken hostage in a mock-up terrorist raid in which live ammunition was used. The “terrorists” may have been cardboard cut-outs but Voulgarakis sat motionless, bullets zapping into the wall behind him as Greek militia mounted a rescue operation.It was, he said later an “interesting” experience. New Zealand’s real fast bowler is an anonymous figure in England – so far.
Stephen Fleming, New Zealand’s captain, tells reporters that the three-Test series, which starts at Lord’s on 20 May, should be so close that it could be won by a couple of players performing brilliantly in single sessions Bond at his best seems capable of that.

So is Daniel Vettori, but you have to ask to make sure about Shane Bond. A cluster of New Zealand players stand at the back of the room during the pre-tour press conference at Lord’s Chris Cairns is easy to identify. There was an element of brutality to the second half of his innings which occupied 69 of his total of 215 balls, illustrated by the way he greeted slow left-armer Claude Henderson by smacking him for a four and a six off consecutive balls.. The second chance came when he was on the brink of three figures. Looking for the four that would take him to his hundred he top-edged the attempted hook. Masters positioned himselfat long-leg but the ball hit him on the chest.In between there was some excellent strokeplay and a sense of urgency as Hampshire, having skittled their opponents cheaply on the opening day, were left ostensibly with nothing but bonus points and the draw to go for.But so well did Brown apply himself that runs came almost as quickly as Leicestershire wickets did later.

In between John Sadler was caught at slip off Chris Tremlett. Warne then had his fellow Victorian Brad Hodge snapped up in the gully and next over accounted for Phillip DeFreitas.Off-spinner Shaun Udal wrapped it up, dismissing David Masters and last man Mark Cleary, but the contribution with the bat by Brown, who was released by Middlesex at the end of last season, was a major factor in the triumph.It was not a chanceless century. Twice he was dropped, the first time by his former Middlesex colleague Maunders off the luckless Leicestershire captain DeFreitas when he had just reached his half-century. And this was after rain had robbed the game of two whole days. A wonderful burst of near-unplayable swing and seam bowling by Dimitri Mascarenhas, underpinned by a maiden first-class century by Michael Brown, helped sweep Hampshire to a remarkable victory with just nine overs to spare. Off again, on again, but not long enough for Surrey to get a bowling point..