May 10th, 2006

Next week sees the start of the Test series between England and the West Indies. After failing to impress in the Cricket World Cup, both nations will be looking to regain their confidence with a morale-boosting series victory. Either way, the Lord's clash, which begins on Thursday, should be an excellent spectacle. Since the days of Sir Viv Richards, Michael Holding and Co, the West Indies have lost a considerable amount of prestige on the world stage. What could restore them to their former glories?

In the English County Championship, there are several issues worth addressing. Are Yorkshire returning to their former days of glory? What's the point in bowling at Taunton when the wicket is so much in favour of batsmen? What's happening at Surrey - why can't they get going? And will English-born players get the chance to come through the ranks, given the number of overseas players in the county game?

In Rugby Union, we are looking forward to the Guinness Championship play-off final between Leicester and Gloucester at Twickenham. Is it right that the team that finish top of the Guinness Premiership aren't automatically declared champions - but have to play-off against their top-four rivals? In Rugby League, there it's Carnegie Challenge Cup weekend. After the 60,000 turnout in Cardiff for the Millennium Magic weekend, the fans have shown their strength in numbers. Now it's a case of who will show their strength on the pitch.

As for tennis, we are looking at the lead up to Roland Garros. We will be focusing on Rome and Hamburg but will also be keeping an eye on Turkey and Austria. Kim Clijsters won't be making any appearances for obvious reasons but one must wonder if she will ever come back to the sport. Should she? Roger Federer has yet to win the French Open but seems to have a lot on his plate leading up to the tournament. Time Magazine have just voted him as one of the most influential people in the world. Does he deserve this honour?

In cycling, tthe Giro d'Italia starts on Saturday. As has been normal over the past couple of years, doping is a central topic in the race. Ivan Basso and Jose Enrique Guttierez are not taking part (the tour is still not welcoming those named on the list of possible dopers), which means that Paulo Betini gets to start. Gilberto Simoni, the race favourite, will be seeking his third win in the event.

As the football season nears its end, we are never at a loss for story ideas. On Sunday, we will officially find out who will be relegated with Watford and Charlton. It seems a few clubs have their hands full with legal cases against West Ham and we wonder if anything will ever come of the allegations that the Hammers illegally acquired the services of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez. The Football Association is trying to bar them from going to court: what do you think should happen? Also on Sunday, Derby, West Brom, Wolves and Southampton begin their play-off battles to decide who will be promoted to the Premiership along with Sunderland and Birmingham. Who do you think deserves a spot?

As the campaign nears its end, we would like to hear who you'd select in your Dream Team of the Season and the also your choice for Team of the Season. Please keep us posted on hot transfer rumours and who you think your team should acquire and why. The hot rumour right now is that Barcelona are making a play for Thierry Henry. Do you think this will happen?

Lastly, what can be done with Joey Barton, the wayward captain of Manchester City? He hit a teammate in practice and has run off on holiday in the middle of his suspension. Ousmane Dabu is suing Barton and now City manager Stuart Pearce might testify in court against Barton. On top of all of this, Everton are still interested in signing Barton! Should players with big talent but bad behaviour be allowed to be involved in the game?


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