Royals Win Pulsating CB40 Final

Hampshire Royals beat Warwickshire Bears, by losing fewer wickets, in a dramatic, but equally entertaining CB40 Final at Lords. The win gives the Royals their second trophy in domestic cricket, after winning the Friends Life T20 last month.

Needing one from the final ball, Warwickshire batsman Neil Carter was unable to dig out a yorker length delivery from Kabir Ali to win the match for the Bears. After 40 overs both teams were tied on 244, but with Hampshire losing only 5 wickets compared to Warwickshire's 7, it gave the Royals victory.

Earlier, Warwickshire won the toss and Captain Jim Troughton chose to bowl first, in what looked like batting conditions at Lords, with the sun beating down, on another perfect cricket wicket prepared by the Lords Groundsman. 

Michael Carberry, tipped to open the batting with Alastair Cook for England's tour of India, opened here with James Vince. Carberry scored 35 from 31 with a flurry of boundaries. Vince was the first man out after holing out to Jeetan Patel in the deep off the bowling of Neil Carter. 

Warwickshire spinners Jeetan Patel and Ian Blackwell slowed Hampshire’s early scoring fluidity. Hampshire skipper Jimmy Adams top scored with 66 before being bowled by Chris Woakes. With 8 overs to go, Hampshire needed to add some impetus into their innings. Sean Ervine and Simon Katich built a partnership of 69 from 42 deliveries to help the Royals to a challenging total. 

Chris Wood took the first Warwickshire wicket, after Maddy and Chopra had past the 50 partnership mark, with the latter caught by Jimmy Adams. The fall of Chopra brought Ian Bell to the crease, who smacked a run a ball 81 consisting of 10 boundaries (9 fours and 1 six). 

The Bears seemed to be struggling in their response when Troughton's dismissal left them on 144-4, but Clarke's partnership with Bell helped to bring the runs required down. They looked out of the game following Bell's dismissal, after he was caught on the boundary by Carberry off the bowling of Griffiths. 

Chris Woakes strode to the crease and hit an unbeaten 24 off 16 giving Warwickshire a chance to claim the title, but it was Carter who faced the last two balls. Needing 5 from 2, Carter blazed a cover-drive for 4 off Kabir Ali. Warwickshire looked set to claim the title, but the final ball yorker from Ali was good enough to beat Carter and the match finished a tie.

Premier League Preview

Norwich City vs West Ham United

Norwich City

Russell Martin will face a late fitness test after injuring his ankle during Norwich's 1-1 draw away to Tottenham; Martin pulled out of Scotland's two recent World Cup Qualifiers against Serbia and Macedonia. The Canaries are still without midfielder Elliott Bennett and defender Stephen Whittaker. Striker Simeon Jackson is expected to be in the squad despite playing twice for Canada in their two 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Panama.  Norwich's only home game so far this season, finished in a 1-1 draw to QPR.

West Ham United

Carlton Cole is expected to start in place of injured striker Andy Carroll, who suffered a hamstring injury on his debut against Fulham. Matt Jarvis is available for selection after returning to training following a thigh injury. Deadline day signing Yossi Benayoun is likely to be involved.

Prediction: Norwich 2 - 2 West Ham

Arsenal vs Southampton

Arsenal

Wojciech Szczesny is set to be recalled, by Arsene Wenger, into the starting eleven after overcoming a rib injury that kept him out of Arsenal's two previous League fixtures away at Stoke and Liverpool respectively. Winger Theo Walcott is a doubt after missing England's Qualifier with Ukraine with a virus. The Gunners will be without Rosicky, Frimpong, Wilshere and Sagna, who are all still on the injury list.

Southampton

New signings Gaston Ramirez, Maya Yoshida, and Emmanuel Mayuka, are looking for their full debuts at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. Danny Fox is expected to be in contention despite a groin injury that kept him out of the Scotland squad.

Prediction: Arsenal 2 - 1 Southampton

Aston Villa vs Swansea City

Aston Villa

Paul Lambert has no new injury concerns after the international break, but is still expected to make changes to the team that started against Newcastle last time out. New boys Ashley Westwood and Joe Bennett look set to start for Villa, who start needing to pick up the points after a slow start to the season; £7 million signing Christian Benteke is expected to be on the bench.

Swansea

The Swans will be without Chico Flores who starts a three-match ban after being sent-off against Sunderland. They will also be without Neil Taylor, for the rest of the season, after breaking his ankle against the Black Cats. Alan Tate and Ben Davies are set to deputise for Flores and Taylor. New signings Ki-Sung Yeung and record signing Pablo Hernandez are in contention to make their debuts.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1 - 2 Swansea

Fulham vs West Bromwich Albion

Fulham

Costa Rican striker Bryan Ruiz is doubtful with a hamstring injury, alongside Kieran Richardson is struggling to overcome a hip injury sustained in Fulham's 3-0 defeat at West Ham. 35 year old Giorgos Karagounis is available after singing on a free transfer this week.

West Bromwich Albion

Jerome Thomas, who hasn't featured yet this season for the Baggies is out after minor knee surgery. Steven Reid is also doubtful after picking up a hamstring injury during the second half of their match to Everton at the Hawthorns. Romelu Lukaku is available after sitting out of the Everton match with an ankle injury

Prediction: Fulham 1 - 1 West Bromwich Albion

Manchester United vs Wigan Athletic

Manchester United

Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa are expected to start at Old Trafford, despite both having injury scares whilst on international duty. Darren Fletcher is back in the Red Devils squad after a lengthy lay-off with a bowel condition. Wayne Rooney faces a couple of more weeks on the sidelines after treatment on a leg wound sustained against Fulham. But will Sir Alex stick with Lindegaard in goal?

Wigan Athletic

Defenders Antolin Alcaraz and Jean Beausejour are both expected to miss the trip to Old Trafford, along with James McCarthy who is suffering with a back problem. Arsenal loanee Ryo Miyacihi could start for the first time for the Latics.

Prediction: Manchester United 3 - 0 Wigan Athletic

Queens Park Rangers vs Chelsea

Queens Park Rangers

Stephane M'bia is injured following international duty with Cameroon; however QPR can recall Kieran Dyer and Alejandro Faurlin to the squad following long-term injuries. Anton Ferdinand is fit to play after recovering from a shoulder injury. Mark Hughes has the choice of 12 new signings to play after the transfer window.

Chelsea

Ashley Cole and John Terry are anticipated to be fit following knocks picked up on England duty. Victor Moses could be handed his debut and Cesar Azpilicueta looks set to feature after signing from Marsielle in the summer transfer window.

Prediction: Queens Park Rangers 1 - 3 Chelsea

Stoke City vs Manchester City

Stoke City

Michael Owen says he is fit to play, but is expected to be on the bench, whilst Jonathan Walters keeps his place alongside Peter Crouch, after the Irishman was released early from the Republic of Ireland squad. Charlie Adam may face a late fitness test after picking up a knock on international duty for Scotland, if he misses out either of the Deadline Day signings Steven N'zonzi or Maurice Edu could deputise and make their Potters debuts. Andy Wilkinson and Matthew Etherington are expected to be fit.

Manchester City

The Premier League Champions travel to the Potteries, with the biggest question mark over the fitness of Sergio Aguero, who sustained a knee injury on the opening weekend of the season. Mario Balotelli is available after minor eye surgery and new signings Scott Sinclair, Maicon, Javi Garcia and Matija Nastastic could all feature. Gareth Barry and Micah Richards are out. 

Prediction: Stoke City 2 - 2 Manchester City

Sunderland vs Liverpool

Sunderland

Winger Adam Johnson has a thigh injury, which was sustained on international duty, which could rule him out. Danny Rose is expected to make his debut, after agreeing a season long loan deal with Spurs on Deadline Day. The Black Cats are without Phil Bardsley and Wes Brown, who are on the comeback trail after injury.

Liverpool

Joe Allen is expected to feature after illness, alongside Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates, who travelled to South America for their international duties. Full-back Jose Enrique is expected to be fit after training with a knee injury

Prediction: Sunderland 1 - 1 Liverpool

Reading vs Tottenham Hotspur

Reading

Royals manager Brian McDermott will be relieved to welcome back Jimmy Kebe to the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the early games of this season. The only minor question mark is over goalkeeper Adam Federici, who has a slight fitness concern, but he is expected to retain his place, despite the concern and some early season mistakes.

Tottenham Hotspur

Former Fulham duo Clint Dempsey and Mousa Dembele are expected to start for Spurs for the first time, whilst Andre Villas-Boas confirmed that Veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel will start. Tom Huddlestone will be available after having his red card against Norwich rescinded. 

Prediction: Reading 1 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur

Everton vs Newcastle United

Everton

Darron Gibson has been ruled out for five weeks with a thigh strain, whilst Brian Oviedo isn't yet eligible, as he and Everton wait for his work permit to be completed. Otherwise Everton have no problems.

Newcastle United

The Magpies having a growing injury list with goalkeeper Time Krul injuring his elbow, whilst with the Netherlands on international duty. Club captain Fabricio Coloccini is also a doubt with a hamstring injury. Manager Alan Pardew is also without Tiote, Taylor, Vuckic and Shola Ameobi.  This will be worrying for the Toon Army who start their Europa League Group Stage on Thursday night.

Prediction: Everton 2 - 1 Newcastle United

Camelot's Triple Crown Bid

On Saturday, Aidan O'Brien's trained Camelot heads to Doncaster in an attempt to win the St Leger. If successful, the unbeaten three year old, will become the first Triple Crown winner since Nijinsky, trained by Vincent O'Brien, in 1970.

Despite the up in distance to over a mile and three quarters, Camelot is expected to start favourite in the nine strong field, after already claiming the 2,000 Guineas and the Epsom Derby. However, Thought Worthy is an expected challenger, after William Buick booked onto ride the John Gosden trained three year old, instead of Michelangelo, another Gosden entry. The Buick/Gosden partnership has been very successful this season and in August the pair combined as Thought Worthy won at York.

Aidan O'Brien's son, Joseph, 19, will again be the jockey, as he has been for all of Camelot's five race wins. Camelot's last race was in the Irish Derby at Curragh on 30 June, showing he has been well rested ahead of becoming only the third horse in history to win the Triple Crown.

The St Leger race itself starts at 15:40 on Saturday.