Wright signs new deal with Bears

Warwickshire have signed England Lions paceman Chris Wright on a new-four-year contract which ties him to Edgbaston until the end of the 2016 season.

The 27-year-old ex-Middlesex and Essex fast bowler has been a huge hit since arriving at Edgbaston, initially on loan, from Chelmsford in August 2011.

"Joining Warwickshire has revitalised my career," said Wright, with 62, the Bears' top wicket taker last summer.

He credits Bears bowling coach Graeme Welch as the key to his success.

2011 - 22 wickets in four Championship games 2012 - 67 wickets in 16 first-class games 2013 - 11 wickets in one and a half games But Wright, whose existing contract was due to expire at the end of this season, insists that it is not any change of action which has paid dividends - more the inspiring effect that highly-acclaimed former Bears medium pacer Welch has had on his mental outlook.

"I don't really think I've done any technical work here," Wright told BBC WM.

"It's more a mental emphasis. I'm not talking about really funky sports science, it's just playing to the right game plan, doing the right things and being confident.

"The environment here is fantastic with a great coaching team that's helping the players reach their potential. There is such an expectation to win games.

"It's a massive club. You feel like you're playing for the Manchester United of cricket.

"Working day to day with Graeme Welch has helped me become a stronger, faster and a smarter bowler."

Playing only his 22nd first-class game for the Bears on Wednesday, Wright claimed another three scalps against Derbyshire on the first day of the new County Championship season to reach 100 wickets for Warwickshire.

That came in front of England national selector Geoff Miller, on the day he was also awarded his county cap.

“Chris Wright's journey to becoming an England Lions opening bowler in 18 months proves what can be realised with talent, hard work and dedication”

Dougie Brown Bears director of cricket And, having last week been included in England's provisional 30-man Champions Trophy squad, on the back of his winter Lions call-up in Australia, and taking a match haul of 8-110 against the MCC in Abu Dhabi, Wright's international career has truly taken off.

"Chris has been an instant success here at Edgbaston," said new Bears director of cricket Dougie Brown. "He formed a potent new ball attack with Keith Barker last season, winning recognition as one of the leading fast bowlers on the county circuit.

"His standards in training set a great example to the younger members of the squad.

"His journey to becoming an England Lions opening bowler in 18 months proves exactly what can be realised with talent, hard work and dedication."

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HMV signs agreements for new stock

15 February 2013 Last updated at 14:29 GMT  HMV's suppliers had provided significant support over the past few weeks, Deloitte said HMV has signed trading agreements with the majority of its suppliers, ensuring that new stock will continue to be on sale in stores, its administrator Deloitte has said.

With any administration, suppliers tend to stop providing a firm with stock while its future is in doubt.

But the new agreements mean major film, music and game releases will be available in HMV stores.

Over the next two months, 66 of HMV's 220 stores are due to close.

The group, which has faced intense competition from online retailers, digital downloads and supermarkets in recent years, went into administration in January.

Nick Edwards, joint administrator at Deloitte, said: "We are pleased that these agreements are now in place, allowing us to replenish stock and bring in new titles.

"The support of suppliers over the past few weeks has been significant and these agreements demonstrate their ongoing commitment to supporting HMV.

"Good progress has been made to date and we have received a positive level of interest in the business.

"Discussions are progressing with a number of parties interested in both the business as a going concern and individual assets despite the high fixed cost base associated with a store network.

"Landlords have been generally flexible and supportive and we hope to continue working closely with them to restructure the business and seek to secure its future."

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HMV signs agreements for new stock

15 February 2013 Last updated at 14:29 GMT  HMV's suppliers had provided significant support over the past few weeks, Deloitte said HMV has signed trading agreements with the majority of its suppliers, ensuring that new stock will continue to be on sale in stores, its administrator Deloitte has said.

With any administration, suppliers tend to stop providing a firm with stock while its future is in doubt.

But the new agreements mean major film, music and game releases will be available in HMV stores.

Over the next two months, 66 of HMV's 220 stores are due to close.

The group, which has faced intense competition from online retailers, digital downloads and supermarkets in recent years, went into administration in January.

Nick Edwards, joint administrator at Deloitte, said: "We are pleased that these agreements are now in place, allowing us to replenish stock and bring in new titles.

"The support of suppliers over the past few weeks has been significant and these agreements demonstrate their ongoing commitment to supporting HMV.

"Good progress has been made to date and we have received a positive level of interest in the business.

"Discussions are progressing with a number of parties interested in both the business as a going concern and individual assets despite the high fixed cost base associated with a store network.

"Landlords have been generally flexible and supportive and we hope to continue working closely with them to restructure the business and seek to secure its future."

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Frank Lampard signs kids' book deal

12 February 2013 Last updated at 18:05 GMT Lampard said he had been inspired by reading stories with his daughters England and Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard is to write a series of children's books, publisher Little Brown has announced.

The midfielder, whose contract expires at the end of the season, will pen five books, called Frankie's Magic Football, for children aged five and above.

The stories will follow the adventures of a school boy, Frankie, his football-loving friends, and pet dog Max.

Lampard said the stories were "loosely based on friends and team mates".

The 34-year-old will publish his first book, Frankie Versus The Pirate Pillagers, in June, followed by two more this year and another two in 2014.

"I first had the idea of Frankie and his Magic Football when reading stories to my own children," he said in a statement.

"Sport and reading are two essentials for us at home, so I decided to make up my own football stories and adventures."

'Wacky adventures'

Lampard has two daughters, aged five and eight, with his former fiancee, Spanish model Elen Rivas. He is currently engaged to TV presenter Christine Bleakley.

The vice-captain of Chelsea FC, Lampard currently earns £150,000 per week. He started his career in 1994 at West Ham United, where his father, Frank Lampard Sr, had also played.

He has represented England more than 90 times, scoring 27 goals - but he may be best remembered for a shot he took in a 2010 World Cup match against Germany.

The ball crossed the line, and players and fans believed Lampard had scored a goal - but it was disallowed. The resulting furore prompted football's world governing body, Fifa, to investigate the introduction of goal-line technology, which was used for the first time in a Club World Cup match last December.

Lampard's book deal was brokered by Neil Blair and Zoe King, who also represent JK Rowling. They said the books were "full of loveable characters on wacky adventures" and destined for "great things".

He is not the first footballer to write fiction - Arsenal star Theo Walcott has written a series of children's books and former England manager Terry Venables co-wrote a series of crime novels.

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