Henman is frustrated by body’s limitations

Tennis Tim Henman will hold a press conference in New York on Thursday, when he is expected to confirm his plans to retire after the Davis Cup match at Wimbledon next month, as revealed exclusively in The Times yesterday. On his official website, Henman said that he still enjoyed practising and playing matches, but added: “It’s just frustrating that my body has struggled to cope with what I’ve been asking it to do.

“Having a family has changed the way I look at the world and, to a certain extent, my priorities in life, but I would not go so far as to say that it has diminished my hunger for the game.”

Khan faces challenge

Boxing Scott Lawton, the English lightweight champion who will be Amir Khan’s next opponent on October 6 at Nottingham Arena, believes he has the chance to beat the 20-year-old Olympic silver medal-winner before Khan gains much more experience. “I think in two years he will be untouchable,” Lawton, 30, said. “He is still a young kid and makes mistakes, but he is a tremendous talent.” The bout is likely to be for Khan’s Commonwealth title.

England through

Hockey England’s women booked their place in the European Championships semi-finals – joining the Netherlands, the champions, in the last four – when Helen Richardson scored a brace in their 4-0 victory over Italy at the Belle Vue Hockey Centre in Manchester. A goal by Richardson and a powerful penalty corner strike by Mel Clewlow put England 2-0 up at the break, before Richardson added her second and Rachel Walker hammered in the fourth.

Pakistan forge ahead

Cricket Pakistan Under-19 won the third one-day international in Northampton by 36 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series against England Under-19. Umar Amin and Usman Salahuddin added 123 for the third Pakistan wicket before Rory-Hamilton Brown, the England captain, took six for 51 with his occasional off spin to restrict the visiting side to 235. In reply, England were bowled out for 199, with Mohammad Amir taking four for 30.

Mantell nets hat-trick

Hockey Richard Mantell scored a hat-trick of penalty corner goals yesterday to steer England to an emphatic 7-0 victory over the Czech Republic and in to pole position in their group in the European Championships in Manchester. Barry Middleton netted a brace, with Matt Daly and Martin Jones also on target for the hosts, who led 3-0 at half-time. England’s women also enjoyed success, qualifying for the semi-finals after Helen Richardson scored twice in their 4-0 win over Italy.

Vick to plead guilty

American football Michael Vick will plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges, putting the Atlantic Falcons quarterback’s NFL career in jeopardy and leaving him subject to a possible prison term. The offence is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 (about £186,000) fine.

“Mr Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions,” Billy Martin, Vick’s lawyer, said.