Afridi emerging frontrunner for Pakistan’s T20 captaincy

LAHORE – Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has emerged as the top contender for the Pakistan team’s captaincy for the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup, starting from April 30 in the Caribbean.

According to reports, Afridi met Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt on Saturday, …. Read the original article  : here.

Vettori rues missed chances against the Aussies in ODI series

AUCKLAND – New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori believes his team missed a ploy ot two to get one across the Australians during the recently held Chappell-Hadlee one-day series.

The gripping five-match series ended in favour of Australia, who emerged as 3-2 victors.
Last summer New Zealand led …. Read the original article  : Vettori rues missed chances against the Aussies in ODI series.

Punishing players was necessary to maintain discipline: Butt

LAHORE – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt has said that punishing some players was necessary to end the culture of indiscipline in the national team.

“For long now, the trend we saw in the team was that some players were only playing for themselves as individuals and not …. Read the original article  : Punishing players was necessary to maintain discipline: Butt.

Ponting believes Smith is ready to debut against New Zealand

WELLINGTON – Steven Smith has become the second youngest winner of the Steve Waugh Medal, and now is almost certain to make his Test debut against New Zealand after a brilliant season.

He has scored 772 first-class runs … Read more : Ponting believes Smith is ready to debut against New Zealand.

Tomlinson signs with Jets, Browns trade Quinn and Wimbley

LT signs with Jets, Browns trade Quinn to Broncos

LaDainian Tomlinson found a new home, while the Cleveland Browns cleaned house.
The New York Jets added Tomlinson to last season’s top-ranked rushing offense, signing the aging former MVP to a two year-contract worth about $5.2 million Sunday.
The 31-year-old Tomlinson, cut last month by San Diego, chose New …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Tomlinson signs with Jets, Browns trade Quinn and Wimbley.

David Beckham’s commercial team faces new challenge after Milan injury ends World Cup hopes

Beckham move to Milan turned out to be in vain

LONDON – David Beckham’s loan moves from the Los Angeles Galaxy to AC Milan were to ensure he played in his fourth World Cup for England.
An Achilles’ tendon injury Sunday while playing for the Italian club is almost certain to end his international career, there will …. Source article  : David Beckham’s commercial team faces new challenge after Milan injury ends World Cup hopes.

Pak team manager says he never complained against any player

LAHORE – Pakistani cricket team’s manager Abdul Raquib has claimed that he never complained about the conduct of any player to the Pakistani Cricket Board (PCB).

“I never reported Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Younus Khan, Rana Navedul Hasan, Kamran Akmal for any disciplinary issue in my tour report,” the …. Read the original article  : Pak team manager says he never complained against any player.

Oz batters wary of Vettori’s slider

WELLINGTON – The Australian batsmen are wary of New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori’s slider.t is a ball that goes on with the arm and has troubled the Australians during the Chappell-Hadlee series.

Captain Ricky Ponting said that type of delivery has them … Read more : Oz batters wary of Vettori’s slider.

New Zealand cancels tour of Zimbabwe

AUCKLAND – Cricket New Zealand has cancelled the national team’s tour of Zimbabwe in June.
Chief executive Justin Vaughan confirmed to The Dominion Post last night that he had advised Zimbabwe officials of the decision at an International Cricket Council meeting in Dubai last week.

Vaughan said NZC considered Zimbabwe … Read : New Zealand cancels tour of Zimbabwe.

PCB officials to be grilled by Standing Committee over action against cricketers

LAHORE – The National Standing Assembly’s Committee on Sports will grill top PCB officials on Monday about their decision to take disciplinary action against seven national cricketers.

“We have invited the PCB chairman and other officials to attend the hearing because we want to know on what basis …. Read the original article  : here.

Sampras, Agassi rivalry comes to fore during charity match

LONDON – Tennis legends Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi renewed their age old rivalry on the court during a charity match to raise money for the Haiti relief fund.
The tennis legends joined Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in raising cash for Haiti earthquake … Read more »»».

Ballack dismisses Mourinho as history ahead of clash with Inter Milan

LONDON – Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has dismissed former boss Jose Mourinho as history and called upon his club to look to the future.

The Blues must overcome a 2-1 deficit at Stamford Bridge tomorrow to send Inter Milan and their former boss crashing out of the … Read more >>>.

Hussey warns Kiwis not to target Clarke on Bingle

WELLINGTON – Australian middle-order batsman Mike Hussey believes that team vice-captain Michael Clarke possesses the mental strength to keep his latest off-field developments aside and perform for the Australians in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.

He, however, has warned both the New Zealand players and …. Source article  : Hussey warns Kiwis not to target Clarke on Bingle.

Lara Bingle’s engagement ring ’safe’

MELBOURNE – Lara Bingle’s agent has confirmed that the model’s 4.7 carat 200,000-dollar engagement ring is safe.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Max Markson has said that Bingle still has possession of the expensive ring.
Markson said that contrary to reports the ring …. Source article  : Lara Bingle’s engagement ring ’safe’.

Arsenal a bigger challenge for Man U than Chelsea

LONDON – Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson believes Arsenal will be a bigger challenge to their title aspirations than Chelsea.

Ferguson has ordered his players to win every game from now until the end of the season to beat them.
Manchester United went ahead of both of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Arsenal a bigger challenge for Man U than Chelsea.

Ex-PCB chief ‘immediately coming to Pakistan’ to clear corruption charges

LAHORE – Former PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf has decided to “immediately come” to Pakistan and clear his name from the National Accountability Bureau inquiry suggesting that he was involved in embezzlement of millions of rupees.

“I am immediately coming to Pakistan to clear this matter and my name and reputation! … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Ex-PCB chief ‘immediately coming to Pakistan’ to clear corruption charges.

Real Madrid desperate to sign Rooney, claims Calderon

LONDON – Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has said the Spanish giants are desperate to have ace striker Wayne Rooney alongside old Manchester United pal Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Manchester United striker scored twice in a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Real Madrid desperate to sign Rooney, claims Calderon.

Battling Hamilton tells F-1 rivals he won’t be written off

LONDON – Formula One 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton has warned his rivals not to write off his title hopes.

Hamilton won his first Battle of Britain with 2009 Formula One champion Jenson Button, coming home third in Bahrain on Sunday.
McLaren teammate Button claimed seventh spot.
The winner of the 2005 and 2006 … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Battling Hamilton tells F-1 rivals he won’t be written off.

Clarke in Wellington, offers no comment on Bingle

WELLINGTON – Australian cricket vice-captain Michael Clarke has arrived in Wellington, but refused to answer a barrage of questions related to his private life with one-time fiancee and television personality-cum-model Lara Bingle, which ended last week.

Cricket Australia representatives guided Clarke to a waiting car, parked 300 meters …. Source  : Clarke in Wellington, offers no comment on Bingle.

Beckham’s dream to play in his fourth World Cup dashed

LONDON – Ace midfielder David Beckham, who was a near certainty to become the first England player to appear in four World Cups, is out of the game for 3-4 months after rupturing his Achilles tendon.

The England midfielder, 34, was injured … Read more »»».