Andy Murray wants the players to be involved in deciding who leads Britain's Davis Cup side should current captain John Lloyd be asked to...

Cook will have support in and around the dressing room as he becomes England's fifth youngest Test captain in ChittagongAlastair Cook is that rare thing, an England captain taking charge for the first time in a Test in an atmosphere of peace and contentment. There is no divided or downcast dressing room to concern him, and nobody is condemning his appointment from the rooftops, or indeed the Red Tops.It makes it easier for Cook that he is only in temporary charge, as Andrew Strauss sits out the tour, and it helps, too, that Bangladesh are a Test side that England are confident of beating, even an England side that must field a bowling attack of shreds and patches. But as introductions go it is genial, much like Cook himself. Messages of goodwill abound. He is a lucky lad.Cook will become...

Probably the best team-talk in the world? What with Fabio Capello’s English still improving and John Terry stripped of the captaincy, Carlsberg has taken it upon itself to prepare a suitable team-talk for the England squad at this summer’s World Cup. Or rather they would like you to do it for them. In return you could win [...]...

• Capello not concerned about Chelsea defender's form• Manager keeps door open for Wayne Bridge and Joe ColeFabio Capello has challenged John Terry to still be a leader within the England squad despite losing the captaincy and called on fans not to boo the Chelsea defender against Egypt tomorrow. There are fears of a fans' backlash against Terry at Wembley but Capello echoed Wayne Rooney's words in urging Three Lions supporters not to hound the player."I think the fans have to support every moment," Capello said. "You have to understand that privately some players were not so good, but on the pitch it is different. We wear the England shirt and it is really important they help us every moment. I hope that tomorrow the crowd help us and do not boo him."The England manager, speaking...

England coach Fabio Capello says John Terry will not regain the captaincy while he is in charge of the...

Wayne Bridge today declared that he is ruling himself out of contention for the World Cup.  In a short statement this morning the Manchester City defender claimed that his presence within the England squad was potentially divisive and as such, he did not wish to be selected.It would seem that Bridge has done some soul-searching and decided that it is an impossible situation for him to play alongside his former friend and ex-captain.  Fabio Capello was questioned earlier today on his return to England from South Africa and refused to make a comment.The decision also means that Capello is without his first and second choice left-backs for the Egypt friendly and attention will turn to Stephen Warnock and Leighton Baines, both of whom should get some minutes on the pitch...

…that is your elbow. As I posted yesterday England manager Fabio Capello was insistent that there was nothing wrong and that Wayne Bridge would not only be in the England squad for the friendly against Egypt next week but would be flying out with the rest of the team to South Africa for the World Cup finals. Wayne on the other hand has a different take on it… I have thought long and hard about my position in the England football team in the light of the reporting and events over the last few weeks. It has always been an honour to play for England. However, after careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive. Sadly therefore I feel for the sake of the team and in order to avoid what will be inevitable distractions, I have decided...

This weekend’s EPL Talk review show features Laurence McKenna, Kartik Krishnaiyer and Richard Farley discussing Chelsea downing Arsenal, the stalemate at White Hart Lane, and Liverpool’s victory in the Merseyside Derby. That, a close look at the relegation battle, a look at England’s Euro 2010 draw, and a look back at Friday’s news: John Terry, removed from his Three Lions captaincy. Don’t forget that the EPL Talk Podcast is the only Premier League interview and analysis podcast available for free. In the past few weeks, we’ve interviewed legends of the game such as Steve McManaman, Efan Ekoku, Martin Chivers and Robbie Earle as well as experts such as Declan Hill, Simon Kuper, Misha Sher, Matt Dickinson, Andy Brassell and many others. Why pay $40 a year to...

New England football captain Rio Ferdinand has announced he is to celebrate his new position by releasing an extended version of his critically acclaimed sex tape, originally released in 2000. The new director's cut, Rio Redux, will feature a fabled, previously unseen sequence in which the captain and his men find themselves in a French lingerie model. Subscribe in a...

• Decision is best for the team, says Capello• Vanessa Perroncel says she will not sell her storyA day that began with yet more news­paper allegations of impropriety ended today with England captain John Terry stripped of the captaincy by Fabio Capello because it was "best for the team".In the shadow of the Wembley Stadium arch, Capello ended a saga which has made news for a week by informing Terry he had run out of road following his alleged affair with an international teammate's former girlfriend and a series of other stories."After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry," said Capello. He replaced him with vice-captain Rio Ferdinand. "As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive...

It seems that Fabio had already made his mind up and todays meeting lasted just 12 minutes. I think it probably is the right decision, mostly because of his actions having an effect on an England team mate in Wayne Bridge.Congratulations to Rio, who I suspected would be an England and Man Utd captain one day, and I also suspect he will want to quickly make people forget how he became Captain by putting in some strong performances.Hopefully we can all focus on the World Cup...

• Defender stripped of position after Wembley meeting • Capello lines up Rio Ferdinand as replacementJohn Terry was today stripped of the England captaincy by Fabio Capello during a 12-minute meeting at Wembley Stadium this afternoon.Capello made it clear that while Terry's conduct on the field had been exactly what he wanted when he appointed him captain in August 2008, the recent headlines about his personal life and, specifically, an alleged relationship with Vanessa Perroncel, the ex-girlfriend of Terry's former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge, left him with little choice other than to relieve Terry of the captaincy.Capello said: "After much thought I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry.""As a captain with the team, Terry...

John Terry has been removed as England men’s national team captain, the FA confirmed this afternoon. Fabio Capello is said to have given the Chelsea captain the verdict during a short meeting on Friday at Wembley. The FA released a statement from Capello outlining his decision: “After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry. “As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad. “What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice. “John Terry was notified first. “When I chose John Terry as captain, I also selected a vice-captain and also named a third choice....

• England manager touches down ahead of captaincy decision• Italian is expected to meet with Chelsea defender tomorrowFabio Capello arrived back in Britain today to face the biggest decision so far of his tenure as England manager over the future of his captain, John Terry.Capello flew in from Switzerland, where he has been recovering from a knee operation, to meet his right-hand man, Franco Baldini, and make contact with Terry, who is under pressure to resign as the national side's captain following his alleged affair with the former girlfriend of his England team-mate Wayne Bridge. He is expected to meet Terry in person tomorrow.The Football Association has made clear that Capello alone will decide the 29-year-old Chelsea defender's fate. Terry's spokesman Phil Hall said yesterday:...

• Terry denies he has made any statement about England future• Fabio Capello to return to London tomorrowJohn Terry has no intention of speaking publicly about his status as England captain before meeting the national team's manager, Fabio Capello. Terry issued a brief statement this afternoon insisting he was "keeping his own counsel" over the allegations about his private life that have plunged him into a media storm.The Chelsea player has faced calls for his resignation as international captain following allegations that he had an affair with the former partner of his England team-mate Wayne Bridge.Referring to reports this afternoon saying that Terry would not offer to resign his spokesman, Phil Hall, said: "John Terry asked me to make it clear that he has made absolutely no...

• Fabio Capello back on Thursday to settle England captaincy• Terry already put his case to manager's right-hand manJohn Terry yesterday pleaded his case to Fabio Capello's staff and should know by the end of the week whether he will retain the England captaincy in the wake of the avalanche of criticism which has greeted allegations that he had an affair with the former girlfriend of his international team-mate Wayne Bridge.Terry has made contact with Capello's right-hand man, Franco Baldini, who in his capacity as general manager will speak to both players before meeting Capello on Friday in a bid to draw a line under an affair that threatens to have a hugely destabilising effect in the run-up to the World Cup.Capello, who has been in Switzerland following surgery on his knee, is due...

Joining James in the pod today, Barry Glendenning, John Ashdown and Paolo Bandini are on hand to offer their expertise.Is it back to a two-horse race for the Premier League title? Plus, who's for the drop? After allegations about his private life, can and should John Terry hold on to the England captaincy?Sid Lowe in Madrid rounds up the latest from the Spanish league. He discusses 'the heel of God' as well as picking poppies.There's also the latest from Italy, including Adrian Mutu failing a drug test.As Egypt win the Africa Cup of Nations, the pod is bewildered by the latest decision to come from its governing body.And also up for discussion: the great east Midlands derby brouhaha, and Barry being the focus of an Irish radio station's phone-in.WARNING: contains strong language. Got...

England boss Fabio Capello is in no rush to decide on John Terry's future as captain, BBC Sport...

For those of you living in a cave, it was revealed this weekend that John Terry has been bonking the ex girflriend of Wayne Bridge, who is also the mother of Wayne's child. Some are saying that this act of betrayal will so undermine respect for John Terry within the England squad, Terry has to surrender his captaincy. Others argue that this is a private matter, which has absolutely no bearing on Terry's professional life. It is certainly a topic that will run and run in the countdown to South Africa.My view is that although Wayne Bridge can be none too pleased at the revelations, if as reported his relationshop with his ex was well and truly over before her affair with Terry kicked off, Terry's acts, although a betrayal of his wife (for which she deservedly should red card him if she...

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe lines up talks with the Football Association over the suitability of John Terry as England...

Like most of you, I have been shaking my head at the revelations that have come to light regarding John Terry’s personal life, and more specifically it’s encroachment into Wayne Bridge’s personal life. The judge who presided of the attempted injunction made clear his feeling that John Terry had been more concerned about how this may affect his income through his sponsorships than he was of the feelings of those involved. The question now is this; should JT now carry on as England Captain?I think when we ask this question the situation becomes murkier, because it wouldn’t matter if Terry resigned or was asked to step aside the problem becomes who would be asked to step into the breach? Well, that is open to debate, but the leading candidates are not exactly covering themselves in...

Steve Borthwick is confirmed as England captain for the Six...

Arsene mentioned in his Manager’s Email about the need for the players to retain humility in their quest for silverware. Almost suspiciously in tandem with that Cesc offered the view that the captaincy has not changed him. I would suggest that it has but from the club point of view, in a positive manner. Fabregas is not going to be a Tony Adams shouter, they appear to be different personalities. He is of the Bobby Moore school of captaincy, leading by example, encouraging and presumably handing out chastisements when they are required. However, in his play, maturity is shining through. He is helped this season by having a united dressing room with the biggest distraction removed to wetter surroundings. His performances this season seem unshackled, the burdens of inconsistency in the...

• Yorkshire say priority must lie with next generation• 'These kids could play for the next 10 years'Yorkshire have defended their decision to release the former England fast bowler Matthew Hoggard, less than a month after his hat-trick against Sussex spared them relegation to the second division, arguing that their priority must be to develop the next generation of England fast bowlers.Hoggard has followed a long line of Yorkshire cricketers by stalking out of the county in high dudgeon. From Ray Illingworth to Darren Gough, they have seethed with resentment at their treatment – although more often than not they have returned in some capacity before too long.Hoggard fancied the captaincy and a lucrative three-year contract that would have taken him well into his mid-thirties, but...

• Seamer was offered two-year deal last season• County 'extremely disappointed' by interviewYorkshire have defended their decision to release Matthew Hoggard. The county said that the former England seamer turned down a new contract earlier in the year and claimed to be "extremely disappointed" that the 32-year-old chose to break the news of his release himself in an interview with a national newspaper.Hoggard said he felt he had "effectively been sacked" after learning last week that his contract at Headingley would not be renewed.A statement from Yorkshire read: "The club is extremely disappointed that Matthew broke the news to this morning's edition of The Times newspaper. The club has every respect for Matthew Hoggard as a player and as a person and had been working over the...

Beyond the triumph, this series put paid to a host of cliches about cricket and EnglishnessThe Ashes wasn't just brilliant sport. It was also a most welcome riposte to the pessimists, cynics and the armchair psychologists who blindly trot out the cliches that Test cricket is dying and that the English are a nation of innate losers.In fact, watching some of the most popular sporting cliches being disproved before our eyes has been one of the great pleasures of the summer.First, Test cricket is not dying in England. A great Test series unites not just fans of sport, but anyone who likes to follow a narrative to its conclusion. It is as if the country is simultaneously turning the pages of the same novel. Where Twenty20 is a snappy newspaper article, a great Test series is A Suitable...

Thank the lord that Prior was dropped off the last ball of the day, otherwise Ponting might have claimed the extra time and possibly ended the test inside 2 days. To be fair, I don’t think the end can come soon enough for England. We have been woeful in every area this test. Poor batting, poor bowling, poor fielding and – dare I say it – poor captaincy. The bowlers have been abominable, which has forced Strauss to set fields for bad bowling, but he shouldn’t be doing that. England’s top order has looked inadequate all series, and this test has ruthlessly exposed its weaknesses. We are too relient on Strauss and Pietersen. Take one out through injury and the other has a poor test, then we are in trouble. Cook showed promise during this match, which is far...

Michael Jackson may have been dominating the news agenda over the past few days, however it is the departure (retirement though, rather than death) of another Michael that is more   At his best, Michael Vaughan was a truly dangerous batsman and a genuine crowd thriller, and I count myself very lucky to have been there in person to see him bat at his best. Remember the time at The Oval, when he scored an astonishing 195 against India? I didn’t see that, but I did see the 47* in the second innings, and it was very clear by that stage that the man threatened greatness.   The 2002/3 Australia tour is where he really stamped his authority and everything come together. Don’t stop ’til you get enough was his mantra as – with England under the pump all series – he...

…and a lot of the time it ends in a whimper. so it is with Michael Vaughan announcing his, widely expected, immediate retirement from all cricket this morning, aged 34. Not being able to rack up runs for Yorkshire, his inability to see out a day in the field – even a trip to Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail didn’t completely clear up that knackered knee – resulting in his absence from the Ashes squads announced earlier in the month pointed to this day coming sooner than he and many others would have wished. Greatest England captain we’ve had? Well statistically yes with a record 26 wins (from 51 Tests with 11 losses), I’d say it was a joint position with Mike Brearley. Certainly one thing Vaughan had over Brearley was his ability with bat in hand, the...

Having written my own tribute to Ray Wilkins last year, I was pleased to see one by Richard Williams in the Guardian today.And surprised, because he seldom has a good word to say about the modern-day Chelsea.Anyway, Williams writes:Ray Wilkins was 18 years old when Eddie McCreadie gave him the captaincy of Chelsea back in 1975, with the team newly relegated to the old Second Division. The fresh-faced teenager was succeeding Ron "Chopper" Harris, the most gnarled of veterans.To outsiders it seemed as though McCreadie was taking an outrageous chance. But Wilkins's precocious calmness and football intelligence made him a superb captain of a side that mixed a few old stagers – Peter Bonetti, David Webb, Charlie Cooke, Ian Hutchinson – with a lot of much younger players, and two years...