India aiming at best ever performance on home turf (Commonwealth Games countdown)

(Attn Editors: This is the second of the 100-day countdown series for the 19th Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. The main curtainraiser on overall preparation ran Wednesday. This is about the India’s sporting preparations)NEW DELHI – In the commotion over the delay in getting the infrastructure for the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games (CWG) ready, … Original article on : India aiming at best ever performance on home turf (Commonwealth Games countdown).

India elect to bat in Asia Cup final

DAMBULLA – Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup cricket final here Thursday.
Teams:
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain, wicketkeeper), Gautam Gambhir, Dinesh Karthik, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra.
Sri …. Source  : India elect to bat in Asia Cup final.

After scrambling into round of 16 at World Cup, England hopes to make a run to

England hoping to repeat 1990 run to semifinals

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa – Twenty years ago, England struggled through the first round of the World Cup, just as it has done in South Africa.
Back then, the team still made the semifinals. So maybe the 1966 world champions should be hopeful again.
In 1990, England labored through 1-1 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : After scrambling into round of 16 at World Cup, England hopes to make a run to.

Allegations of bribery hit Italy team ahead of do or die clash

LONDON – World champions Italy, who might have to face the shame of a first-round exit today, were heaped with more embarrassment amid allegations of bribery on coach Marcello Lippi’s team.

After taking just two points from as many games in Group F, Italy must beat Slovakia here to guarantee a last-16 spot without relying on … Original article on : Allegations of bribery hit Italy team ahead of do or die clash.

Strauss expects Australian backlash in Cardiff ODI

Cardiff (Wales, UK),J – England captain Andrew Strauss has saidt he is expecting an Australian backlash in game two of their one-day series in Cardiff tonight.

The home side grabbed opening honours in the five-game series with a four-wicket win in Southampton yesterday on the back of Eoin Morgan’s memorable hundred.

An England …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Strauss expects Australian backlash in Cardiff ODI.

Miandad, Faisal Iqbal may face PCB’s ire for speaking against board policies

LAHORE – Speaking against the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) policies could cost board’s Director General Javed Miandad and his nephew Faisal Iqbal dearly, as they could be penalised for lashing out at the selectors.

Miandad and Iqbal had questioned the policies of the selection committee following the team’s announcement for the upcoming England Test series.

“Miandad is …. Read the original article  : here.

Boxing champ turned fanatic compares Brit troops with World War II killers

LONDON – Former boxing champion Anthony Small, who had screamed abuses at British troops returning from Afghanistan, has compared soldiers with Nazis in a YouTube video.

Small exposed as a Muslim fanatic, said soldiers out in Afghanistan were as bad as Hitler’s World War Two killers.

Wearing a black headscarf, barmy Small, said: “A lot of …. Read the original article  : here.

Disciplinary problems prevented Younis from being picked for England tour: Afridi

LAHORE – Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has said that though he desperately wanted senior batsman Younis Khan in the squad for the upcoming Test series in England, issues ranging from lack of match-practice to past disciplinary problems prevented him from being selected.

“I wanted Younis to be in the team but besides the issue of his …. Original article  : Disciplinary problems prevented Younis from being picked for England tour: Afridi.

Brazil wants to keep momentum going against Portugal in final Group G match at World Cup

Brazil aims to keep momentum going versus Portugal

JOHANNESBURG – Already through to the second round of the World Cup, Brazil wants to finish the group stage with a win over Portugal to keep its momentum going ahead of the round of 16.
The win would also allow Brazil to finish first in Group G, possibly avoiding … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Brazil wants to keep momentum going against Portugal in final Group G match at World Cup.

Afridi to decide his Test future after England tour

KARACHI – Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi will decide his Test future after the exhaustive tour of England that begins this month.
Afridi Thursday said he will review his personal performance in the six Tests Pakistan will play against Australia and England later this season, before deciding whether to continue playing in the longest format …. Read the original article  : here.

Argentina’s Palermo says goal on World Cup debut is ‘biggest satisfaction’ of 18-year career

Argentina striker Palermo thrilled with goal

PRETORIA, South Africa – Martin Palermo repaid Diego Maradona’s faith in him when he came on as a substitute and knocked in the second goal that sealed Argentina’s 2-0 World Cup victory over Greece.
The 36-year-old forward was sent on by Maradona despite advice from his assistants to instead bring on …. Original article  : Argentina’s Palermo says goal on World Cup debut is ‘biggest satisfaction’ of 18-year career.

NHL Awards 2010 Held

LAS VEGAS (GaeaTimes.com)- The NHL Awards, which recognizes renowned players of the National Hockey League for their impressive performances during the past year, was held last night in Las Vegas. The spectacular event which took place at the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms Casino Resort witnessed the presence of some of the most … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : NHL Awards 2010 Held.

England, United States advance at World Cup with 1-0 victories over Slovenia, Algeria

England, United States advance at World Cup

JOHANNESBURG – A pair of 1-0 victories were good enough for the United States and England to advance at the World Cup. Other than the final score, there was almost nothing alike in those matches.
England finally played near its best at the tournament and edged Slovenia thanks to an … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : England, United States advance at World Cup with 1-0 victories over Slovenia, Algeria.

Time to change coaching manuals to incorporate unorthodox shots: Morgan

LONDON – England batsman Eoin Morgan, who has re-defined the art of batting with his range of unorthodox strokes, reckons that it is time to “change the coaching manuals”.

Since making his England debut last year, Morgan has become one of the world’s top limited-overs batsmen.

“I put in a hell of a lot …. Source article  : Time to change coaching manuals to incorporate unorthodox shots: Morgan.

Chicago Blackhawks Trade Byfuglien

CHICAGO (GaeaTimes.com)- In what comes as a surprise to many Chicago Blackhawks fans, Dustin Byfuglien has been traded to Atlanta Thrashers by the Stanley Cup 2010 Champions. Dustin Byfuglien was one of the key players for the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals with a total of 16 points that had 11 goals …. Read the original article  : Chicago Blackhawks Trade Byfuglien.

Algerian football star hits female journalist in face

LONDON – Algerian football star Rafik Saifi has allegedly slapped a female journalist in the face after his side were knocked out of the World Cup by the United States.

Saifi, 35, is said to have lashed out before a post-match interview when he spotted Asma Halimi, who works for Algeria’s biggest newspaper.

The journalist, who …. Original source  : Algerian football star hits female journalist in face.

Afridi undecided about his Test future

KARACHI – Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi is still undecided about his Test future, and has said that he would make a final call in this regard after the exhaustive tour of England beginning later this month.
With the 2011 World Cup in his sights, Afridi said he will review his personal performance in the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Saddled with next McGrath tag Oz bowler Hazlewood justifies selection

SYDNEY – Australia’s latest debutant pacer, Josh Hazlewood, who is often compared as next Glen McGrath, started off like a nervous teenager, but showed enough in his one-day debut in Southampton to justify his selection.

Hazlewood bowled his first ball, a low volley that England batsman Kevin Pietersen drove through the covers for four.

In all, nine … Original article on : Saddled with next McGrath tag Oz bowler Hazlewood justifies selection.

‘Wimbledon has given me something to focus on’, says Murray

LONDON – British tennis star Andy Murray has admitted that the pressure of playing at Wimbledon has helped him focus on his game.
Murray has not been in good form since losing January’s Australian Open final to Roger Federer, but looked to have rediscovered it during his first-round win against Czech Republic’s Jan …. Original source  : ‘Wimbledon has given me something to focus on’, says Murray.

Stars upstaged by marathon match at Wimbledon _ no winner yet with 5th set at 59-59

Stars upstaged by marathon match at Wimbledon
WIMBLEDON, England – The top players took care of business on the big courts at Wimbledon, then found themselves immersed in the drama unfolding on little Court 18.
“Unreal,” Andy Roddick tweeted.
“Absolutely amazing,” Roger Federer said.
“It’s longer than a marathon,” Venus Williams said.
The match between John …. Source article  : Stars upstaged by marathon match at Wimbledon _ no winner yet with 5th set at 59-59.