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Jobless Ian's prospects improving
Unemployed Ian Glover is through to the preliminary rounds of the World Snooker Open after winning the regional qualifying tournament at Rileys, Leicester.
Ian, 31, of Belton, Doncaster, used to be a professional snooker player until funding prevented him from playing and is now unemployed. He will face Scotland's rising star Anthony McGill in his first match at the World Snooker Academy, Sheffield.
Former Pro Ian said: "I have to play each round one ball at a time. That's the only way to beat the Pros these days as they are so focused. I have drawn Anthony McGill in my first match, he is a quality player but the pressure will be on him and he lacks experience on the circuit. My aim is obviously to make it to Glasgow but I will take it one step at a time. Currently I have to focus on beating Anthony."
The World Snooker Open - billed as the FA Cup of Snooker - has an open draw which can see amateur players facing the biggest names in the sport.
Ian could go on to meet snooker superstars Ronnie O'Sullivan or World Champion Neil Robertson if he is successful at the World Snooker Academy, which stages the preliminary rounds from Saturday August 21 to Tuesday August 24.
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The winners in Sheffield play in the Finals ain Glasgow in September.
England captain Andrew Strauss could lead his team into the Ashes this winter on a record-equalling run of success but there were still a couple of clouds on the horizon following today's nine-wicket win over Pakistan.
The result put them 2-0 up in the npower series and represented a sixth successive Test victory as Strauss and Jonathan Trott each made 53 not out to pass a modest target of 118 - but only after Alastair Cook had failed again, registering his seventh successive score under 30 since March.
The behaviour of Stuart Broad was also a bone of contention, following his 3,000 fine from the International Cricket Council for ‘throwing the ball inappropriately' at Pakistan batsman Zulqarnain Haider.
Strauss, however, appears to have no significant concerns on either count.
He is confident Broad has become a more mature and level-headed cricketer, notwithstanding Sunday's blip.
As for vice-captain Cook, apparently a central plank in England's planning for the Ashes and beyond, Strauss is adamant his opening partner and fellow left-hander will regain top form.
"Opening the batting in Test cricket can be tough at times - and when you're down on confidence it can be exploited more than other areas in the batting line-up," he said.
"But Alastair Cook has played some outstanding innings for England in the past.
"He's a very valuable member of our side, and I have every confidence he will come back and play some valuable innings in the near future.
"He's a top-quality opening bat, and three Tests don't change that."
Strauss can be involved only in an advisory capacity when it comes to picking Cook or anyone else in the squad for the third Test at The Oval which starts on August 18.
He said: "I'm not a selector, but he has my full backing because I honestly think a big score is around the corner."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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