Sports Digest

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Plymouth granted a late reprieve

SOCCER: Plymouth have been given a stay of execution after a winding-up petition against them in the High Court in London was today adjourned until February 9.

The cash-strapped npower League One side were served the petition by Britain’s Revenue and Customs after failing to pay €835,000 of tax, which has seen their staff’s November wages go unpaid.

The winding-up order raised the prospect of the Pilgrims being forced into administration and hit with a 10-point deduction, but their request to be given additional time to pay the bill was today granted.

Argyle’s total debt with HMRC is understood to be €930,000 but efforts are being made to find new investment to avoid administration and a points penalty.

A statement said: “The board and its advisors are continuing to work through a number of potential answers in order to put the club on a sound financial footing.”

Pressure grows on Warne to make dramatic comeback

CRICKET: Australia legend Shane Warne has landed in London and is remaining coy over speculation he could make a sensational Test comeback.

The 41-year-old former leg spinner, with 708 Test wickets to his name, retired after Australia’s 5-0 whitewash of England in the 2006/07 Ashes series, but calls have grown for him to make a short-term return to the international game following his country’s dismal start to the current series.

The stark danger of Australia losing a home Ashes series for the first time in 24 years has prompted the talk, which Warne himself has done little to quash.

While commentating on the second Test in Adelaide last week he admitted he could never say never, while he has also mentioned the idea on his Twitter page.

“There has been a bit written in Australia and people have been asking me about making a comeback,” Warne said.

“All I can say is that it is very flattering to hear those words.”

Webber denies injury dented title bid

FORMULA ONE: Mark Webber is adamant the fractured shoulder he sustained towards the end of the Formula One season did not impact on his failed title bid.

Earlier this week Webber revealed in his book looking back on his championship challenge that he drove in the final four races with the injury, which he picked up via another mountain bike accident prior to the Japanese Grand Prix.

Despite leading the championship going into that race, the 34-year-old eventually finished third in the standings behind Fernando Alonso and title-winner Sebastian Vettel.

Team principal Christian Horner has expressed disappointment with Webber for failing to inform him of the injury. But Webber said yesterday, “The shoulder wasn’t causing me a problem, so there was no need to talk about it to anyone.”

Sampras's trophies stolen

TENNIS: Pete Sampras has had most of his trophies and other memorabilia stolen from a storage facility in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the thieves made off with most of the trophies from his 64 tour wins, two Davis Cups, an Olympic ring and six trophies for his world number one rankings from 1993 to 1998. But Sampras still has all but one of his grand slam trophies. “Losing this stuff is like having the history of my tennis life taken away,” he said.

Swann confident of Ashes success

CRICKET: Graeme Swann is confident England can win the Ashes in Australia for the first time in 24 years after their “perfect” victory in the second Test at Adelaide.

Swann bowled the tourists to their innings-and-71-run victory by claiming five second-innings wickets. The win moved England into a 1-0 lead and provided the opportunity to retain the Ashes before Christmas, when the series resumes in Perth next week.

“I am more convinced than ever that we can go on and win the Ashes series,” said Swann.

“Australia are sure to have a cornered-tiger mentality going into the third Test in Perth on December 16 – and the first 90 minutes or so will dictate how the remainder of the series goes,” he added.

“If we start well and maintain momentum from this game, it will be demoralising for Australia.”