T20 washed out

MANCHESTER: Rain thwarted Australia’s bid to win a first Twenty20 international in six matches after their series opener against England ended in a no-result washout at Old Trafford on Sunday. Australia were well on top, having reduced England to 4-2 in the second over, in pursuit of a victory target of 146, when a heavy downpour stopped play. Although England needed only to bat for five overs for a result to be declared under the Duckworth-Lewis method for weather-affected fixtures, a fresh burst of rain as the umpires were inspecting the ground prevented play from resuming. The second match of this series is at Old Trafford on Tuesday. — AFP

Reds offload Itandje

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool goalkeeper Charles Itandje completed a loan move to Greek club Kavala FC on Monday. Itandje arrived at Anfield two years ago, but has only made seven first-team appearances and the Frenchman will spend the rest of the season in Greece. The 26-year-old was involved in a controversy in April when TV pictures showed him laughing during a memorial service at Anfield to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy. Itandje later apologised after being suspended for 14 days and fined two weeks wages. — HNS

Terry extends contract

LONDON: Chelsea captain John Terry signed a new five-year contract on Monday that ties him to the Premier League club until 2014. Terry, 28, had been promised an improved deal when he rejected Manchester City’s attempt to sign him during the close-season. City were reported to have offered Terry around £200,000 a week, but the England defender turned them down and is now likely to finish his career at Stamford Bridge after putting pen to paper on a contract worth a reported £150,000 a week. Terry, who has been at Chelsea since the age of 14, had two years left on his previous contract. — HNS

Hull sign McShane

HULL: Hull signed Republic of Ireland defender Paul McShane from Sunderland for an undisclosed fee on Sunday. McShane, 26, agreed a four-year deal at the KC Stadium having spent time on loan with Phil Brown’s side last season. McShane, who joined the Cats in 2007, hadn’t featured for Steve Bruce’s team this season. “Sunderland can confirm that defender Paul McShane has joined Hull City for an undisclosed fee,” a statement on the club’s website confirmed. — AFP

Moyes eyes Heitinga

LIVERPOOL: Everton manager David Moyes hopes to sign Johnny Heitinga before the transfer window closes on Tuesday after agreeing a fee with Atletico Madrid for the Dutch defender. Moyes is believed to have offered £5 million to the Holland international, but the deal is still some way from completion. Speaking after Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Wigan at Goodison Park, Moyes said: “We have not as yet agreed personal terms. I hope we will be able to do that soon, but we have not as yet concluded that part of the move.” — AFP

Taylor to stay

LONDON: Newcastle defender Steven Taylor says he is committed to helping the Championship side climb back up into the Premier League. The highly-rated 23-year-old defender has been linked with a move away from St James’ Park following the Magpies’ relegation last term, with Everton and Aston Villa among the reported interested parties. But Taylor said: “I was part of the team which was involved in taking Newcastle down and out of the Premier League and I want to put it right by being part of the side that takes us back where we belong, in our rightful place in the top flight. — AFP