From the back pages, March 26: Matt Prior holds firm and earns England stunning draw

England dramatically saved the Third Test and the series against New Zealand today. They needed to negotiate 19 nerve-shredding balls with nine wickets down in their second innings to ensure a draw which had seemed probable and improbable by turn. (The Independent)
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Mar 2013, 22:01 BST
England manager Roy HodgsonEngland manager Roy Hodgson
England manager Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson insists England’s stars will behave in the Montenegro pressure cooker tonight. Wayne Rooney was sent off on the Three Lions’ last trip to Podgorica — during a disappointing 2-2 draw. (The Sun)

Podgorica has been hit by a torrential thunder-storm, prompting further fears over the playing surface for England’s pivotal World Cup qualifier against Montengro on Tuesday night. (The Telegraph)

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The Montenegro coach, Branko Brnovic, believes his side will confront an England team running scared on Tuesday, suggesting the visitors have been arrogant in their attitude towards progress to Brazil and dismissing their apparent concerns over the state of the turf at the City Stadium by claiming the English have “always favoured long passes”. (The Guardian)

Bradley Wiggins insists that his conditioning this year is as good as it was last year despite still seeking his first win of the season. (The Times)

Beanpole batsman Peter Fulton was rewarded for his twin centuries against England with a congratulatory tweet from New Zealand prime minister John Key. Mirror Sport informed ‘Two Metre Peter’ of his celebrity status in the corridors of power and he smirked: “I’m not on Twitter, but that’s one to cross off the list.” (The Mirror)

Dramatic new footage has emerged revealing just how serious the feud is between Red Bull team-mates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber after the Australian pulled a shockingly dangerous maneouvre after the Malaysian Grand Prix had finished. Red Bull are in turmoil today after Vettel ignored their clear instruction not to challenge Webber at the climax of the race, and the German was forced to issue an apology for undermining the order which has left team-mate Webber considering his Formula One future. (Daily Mail))

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Chelsea are still in the frame to sign Atletico Madrid hit man Radamel Falcao in the summer. The Blues have been on Falcao’s tail for a while now along with Manchester City, as he is one of the most sought-after strikers in the European game. (The Express)

Related topics:EnglandNew Zealand