Fabio is bedazzled by a new blonde winner

If Fabio Capello was looking particularly pleased with himself at Hertfordshire's plush Grove Hotel this week, it wasn't only at the prospect of England running up a cricket score against that renowned international power-house, Andorra, in tomorrow's World Cup qualifier.

Instead, the Italian has taken on a new, glamorous, blonde interpreter to help deal with those pesky press men. Given that his previous (male) translator somehow managed to combine both baldness and a pony-tail, it is small wonder that Fabio marked his first media briefing in the build-up to the last week's game against Kazakhstan by gesturing to his new lady friend and remarking: “Better, eh?” to the salivating hacks.

Bumble fumbles once again over Mushy spin

Sky cricket commentator David Lloyd regularly leaves viewers baffled — it's all part of the Bumble' charm, apparently.
Even so, the Lancastrian surpassed himself during a recent broadcast by claiming that England's spin-bowling coach, Mushtaq Ahmed, had driven his new England and Wales Cricket Board company car into a tree.

Cue plenty of bemusement at the ECB, who confirmed that not only had Mushy not been given a company car but also that the former Pakistan Test star had not been involved in any recent prangs, arboreal or otherwise.

Bernie's film project may be pure fantasy

When we heard Bernie Ecclestone was due to make his first foray into the world of Hollywood, we assumed the pint-sized Formula One supremo had landed the lead role in Guillermo del Toro's version of The Hobbit.

Alas, no. Instead, the Bilbo-Baggins-on-a-bad-day lookalike is in talks with a major studio over producing a big-budget film charting the history of F1.

If that sounds about as enthralling as High School Musical 4: The College Drop-Out Years, there is at least one consolation. Sylvester Stallone, a long-time associate of Ecclestone and a huge petrol-head (remember the dire Drive in 2001?), will not be among the cast members.
“I haven't spoken to him lately,” Ecclestone admitted, rather sadly.

Will Wives come out of Shed for Rabbatts?

Heather Rabbatts' recent departure from Millwall's executive board after a three-year stint may be bad news for any Old Kent Road traders who specialise in leopard-print cardigans and white leather mini-skirts, but at least the wider world stands to benefit.

The likeable Rabbatts is leaving to become the
non-executive chair of the Shed Media television group, producers of the unforgettable ITV drama Footballers' Wives.

Maybe Rabbatts' inside knowledge of the game could prompt a (long overdue) new series?