Woods is back and Lefty wants his No. 1 ranking as both tee it up at Memorial Tournament

Memorial stage set for duel for No. 1
DUBLIN, Ohio – Phil Mickelson has won 40 tournaments around the world, including four major championships. He’s won events honoring Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan.
But he’s never been handed a trophy on a Sunday by Jack Nicklaus.
He hopes to correct that this week at … Read more >>.

England not making World Cup final, a failure: Capello

LONDON – England manager Fabio Capello believes the contract to keep him until after Euro 2012 will be a failure if the Three Lions do not reach the World Cup final.

Capello held successful talks with Club England Chairman Sir Dave Richards to end weeks of speculation over his future.

They agreed to remove a clause … Read : England not making World Cup final, a failure: Capello.

Swiss cyclist Cancellara laughs off claims of winning races with electric bike

PARIS – Swiss Olympic cycling champion Fabian Cancellara has laughed off suggestions that an electric bike helped him win two races this spring.

He was rubbishing criticism aired in a video about his wins at the Paris-Roubaix and the Tour des Flandres.

“It’s so crazy that I haven’t anything to say,” The Times quoted the racer, who … Read more »»».

1,000 fans a day sign up for World Cup TV service

HONG KONG – One thousand football fans a day are taking out subscriptions for a pay-TV service in Hong Kong that holds exclusive rights to screen the World Cup, a news report said Thursday.

The rights to screen all games from the South Africa tournament were bought by iCable, which at the beginning of this year … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 1,000 fans a day sign up for World Cup TV service.

Australia coach grumpy over Kewell’s groin pains

SYDNEY – Australian football fans were told Thursday to stop worrying about striker Harry Kewell not overcoming a groin injury in time to play in the Socceroos’ opening World Cup match against Germany in Durban June 14.

The 31-year-old former Leeds and Liverpool star was left out of the team that chalked up a 1-0 warm-up … Read more : Australia coach grumpy over Kewell’s groin pains.

Waqar calls for rotational policy to give youngsters more chance

LAHORE – Backing skipper Shahid Afridi’s call for injecting young blood in the national squad, Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has asked country’s cricket administrators to put in place a rotation policy to give more chances to new players during the busy schedule ahead.

“We are starting a hectic period with the Asia Cup but I think …. Read the original article  : Waqar calls for rotational policy to give youngsters more chance.

Gilchrist rates Finn as Ashes weapon for England

SYDNEY – Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist believes that young England fast bowler Steven Finn can prove to be a handful during the Ashes.

Gilchrist’s comments came after Finn earned rave reviews for his first home Test against Bangladesh at Lord’s last week, where he recorded match figures of nine for 187.

“I think the Aussies will …. Source article  : Gilchrist rates Finn as Ashes weapon for England.

Algeria, Yebda look to inspirational 1982 surprise team

HERZOGENAURACH – Going back into the annals of World Cup history, one of the biggest upsets came at Spain 1982 when Algeria defeated reigning European champions West Germany in the first round.

With the northern Africans back at the world’s largest sporting event for the first time in 24 years, the new crop of Algerians are … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Algeria, Yebda look to inspirational 1982 surprise team.

Mandela will attend World Cup opening game

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s revered former president Nelson Mandela, 91, will attend the opening game in the football World Cup next week, a local newspaper quoted the country’s sports minister as saying.

The announcement follows months of uncertainty over whether the elderly statesman, who played a central role in South Africa’s bid to become the tournament’s …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Ponting warns Strauss and Afridi to beware of ‘better prepared’ Oz might

SYDNEY – Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has warned his England counterpart Andrew Strauss that his team will be far better prepared for the Ashes series, starting in November.

England currently holds the Ashes, after beating Australia 2-1 in 2009.

“I don’t think they’ll be much different, I think if they …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ponting warns Strauss and Afridi to beware of ‘better prepared’ Oz might.

Owen’s 1998 strike against Argentina declared best World Cup goal

LONDON – England forward Michael Owen’s 1998 wonder strike against Argentina has been voted the World Cup’s greatest-ever goal.

According to the Daily Star, Manchester United star Owen, 30, topped a survey for video game Pure Football, while 1966 hero Bobby Moore was named the best England captain, … Read more >>>.

Akhtar’s comeback uncertain after failing to impress selectors during fitness test

LAHORE – The chances of controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar making it to the 15-man squad for the upcoming Asia Cup appear to be uncertain, as he failed to impress selectors and other Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials during a fitness test conducted here.

While former … Read : Akhtar’s comeback uncertain after failing to impress selectors during fitness test.

Oz tennis legend Margaret Court tips Stosur to win French Open title

SYDNEY – Australian tennis legend Margaret Court has backed World No. 7 Samantha Stosur to snap the country’s 37-year drought at the French Open following her spectacular run in the tournament so far.

Stosur, fresh from victory over four-time champion Justine Henin on Monday, produced another fighting performance to defeat …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

England to stay in 3,175-pound-a-night hotel in S. Africa

LONDON – Coach Fabio Capello and his 23-man squad will stay at the 20-million-pound five-star Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus in Phokeng, Rustenburg for the duration of the FIFA World Cup.

According to the Daily Star, each player will stay in a room that costs 3,175 pounds a night.

All 76 suites boast …. Source  : England to stay in 3,175-pound-a-night hotel in S. Africa.

England arrive in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG – England’s 23-strong World Cup squad landed in South Africa Thursday morning, where their arrival nudged excitement levels higher eight days before kick-off.

Fabio Capello’s men, led by talismanic striker Wayne Rooney, landed at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport shortly after 8 a.m.
With all the teams’ airport arrivals off-bounds, fans will have to wait …. Source article  : England arrive in South Africa.

Jim Joyce acknowledges he robbed Armando Galarraga from throwing 1st perfect game for Tigers

Jim Joyce: ‘I just cost that kid a perfect game’

DETROIT – Armando Galarraga bitterly sipped a beer minutes after he almost pitched a perfect game, lashing out at first base umpire Jim Joyce for blowing a call that negated his place in baseball history.
An apology and hug changed Galarraga’s attitude.
Joyce, in tears, asked for a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Jim Joyce acknowledges he robbed Armando Galarraga from throwing 1st perfect game for Tigers.

England tour crucial for rebuilding Pak team, says Waqar

SYDNEY – Pakistan coach Waqar Younis reckons that next month’s England tour will be crucial for rebuilding the team for future tournaments.

“We are starting a hectic period with the Asia Cup, but I think the England tour is very important for the team, where we need to adopt a rotation policy and I think some …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

India tour blessing for Australian team preparing for Ashes: Ponting

SYDNEY – Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has said that the September and November tour of India would be a blessing for his team preparing for the Ashes.
“If you look at the squad that we could probably put out for the first Test in Brisbane compared with the squad you’d think about playing on …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : India tour blessing for Australian team preparing for Ashes: Ponting.

Cricket Bible Wisden to branch out into other sports with new imprint

LONDON – Wisden, the publisher of the annual Cricketers’ Almanack, has plans to branch out into other sports next year.

As part of a new imprint, Wisden Sports Writing, leading writers have been commissioned to write books on football, sport on television and the world of the fan.

The new writers include two British Press Awards Sports … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Cricket Bible Wisden to branch out into other sports with new imprint.

Bookies favour Stosur to lift French Open crown

PARIS – Australian tennis ace Samantha Stosur is the new favourite among bookies to lift the French Open women’s singles trophy despite having never reached a grand slam final before.
Stosur, fresh from victory over four-time champion Justine Henin on Monday, produced another fighting performance to defeat World No. 1 Serena Williams at the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.