Pak-Kiwi Davis Cup tie shifted to New Zealand over security fears

WELLINGTON – The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has decided to shift Pakistan’s next Davis Cup tie to New Zealand citing security reasons.

The Davis Cup committee of the ITF informed both nations that the Asia-Oceania Group II semifinal will be played in New Zealand from July 9-11 rather than in Pakistan or at a neutral venue.
“Due …. Source  : Pak-Kiwi Davis Cup tie shifted to New Zealand over security fears.

Tyson getting ready to make debut as reality TV star

NEW YORK – Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson is getting ready to make his debut as a reality TV star.

Tyson, a life-long pigeon keeper, will star in a series about bird racing, The New York Post reports.
“I may have stopped fighting. But I never stopped flying birds. It’s my first love,” Tyson said.
The …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

For Cameron White, Shield final more important than IPL

MELBOURNE – All-rounder Cameron White has said that he had no reservations about choosing between leading Victoria into its Sheffield Shield title defence against Queensland and appearing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
White has already missed the start of the Indian Premier League season and a tidy sum of 200,000 dollars.
But he says … Read more : For Cameron White, Shield final more important than IPL.

New South Wales sign Dilshan for next Twenty20 Big Bash

SYDNEY – Cricket New South Wales (NSW) has signed Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan for next season’s Twenty20 Big Bash in Australia.

“He is an outstanding all-round player as well as being one of the world’s most destructive batsmen in Twenty20 cricket, he brings a wealth of international experience to our team,” The Age quoted David …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Kiwis have not ordered a dust bowl pitch for Wellington: Greatbatch

WELLINGTON – New Zealand cricket team coach Mark Greatbatch has said there has been no request from his team to turn the Basin Reserve here into a dustbowl for the first test against Australia, starting on Friday.

He said that any Australian fears that the pitch would be dried out to assist spinners Daniel Vettori and …. Source article  : Kiwis have not ordered a dust bowl pitch for Wellington: Greatbatch.

Forget the bubble, the real argument will be over expanding NCAA field

There’s plenty of reaction to possible expansion

NEW YORK – It wouldn’t take an act of Congress, and in the overall scheme of things, expanding the field for the NCAA men’s basketball championship wouldn’t solve or create any problems for most Americans.
Then why have so many people offered so many opinions on something that’s only in …. Read the original article  : Forget the bubble, the real argument will be over expanding NCAA field.

Button’s former boss asks him to up his game to beat Hamilton

LONDON – Jenson Button’s former boss and managing director of Mercedes GP, Nick Fry, has warned the Formula One champ that he will have to up his game if he wants to beat McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Mercedes GP is the new incarnation …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Button’s former boss asks him to up his game to beat Hamilton.

Eight drivers in top four teams can win F1 championship: Alonso

LONDON – Formula One ace Fernando Alonso, who won at Bahrain Grand Prix, has declared that he is only one of eight drivers who can win this years championship.

Alonso said all the other “Big Four” teams showed they have the potential to win races.
“The eight drivers in the top four …. Source  : Eight drivers in top four teams can win F1 championship: Alonso.

Sarfaraz blames PCB boss for encouraging ‘gambling’ by delaying captain selection

KARACHI – Former fast bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz has blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt for encouraging ‘gambling’ and ‘betting’ by not disclosing the name of the captain for the upcoming assignments of the national team.

“I must say that Ijaz Butt has provided the gambling … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sarfaraz blames PCB boss for encouraging ‘gambling’ by delaying captain selection.

Clarke “copping it from crowd” is part of the game: Kiwi group

WELLINGTON – New Zealand cricket supporters group, the Beige Brigade, has said that Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke will be “copping it” from the crowd during the first Test between Australia and New Zealand at Basin Reserve in Wellington.

It will be Clarke’s first on-field appearance since splitting with fiancee … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Clarke “copping it from crowd” is part of the game: Kiwi group.

“No chance” of Beckham playing in World Cup: Finnish surgeon

TURKU – The leading surgeon who operated on England and AC Milan midfielder David Beckham, has said that there is “no chance” of him playing in this summer’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Beckham was operated on less than 24 hours after rupturing his left Achilles … Original article on : “No chance” of Beckham playing in World Cup: Finnish surgeon.

Posh on her way to be with ’shattered’ Becks

LONDON – Injured England midfielder David Beckham’s wife Victoria is on way to Helsinki to be with the shattered star.

Beckham had a successful two-hour operation in Finland on Monday, less than 24 hours after rupturing his left Achilles tendon during AC Milan’s Serie …. Read the original article  : Posh on her way to be with ’shattered’ Becks.

F1 not in crisis despite new rules: Ecclestone

LONDON – Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has insisted the sport is not in crisis despite the new rules, and asked people not to panic.

There are fears that what was billed as a blockbuster season with four world champions fighting for the title will turn out to be a flop.
“There’s [..] Read the original article: here.

Schumacher won’t indulge in nasty track tactics: Hamilton

LONDON – Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton has said that rival and seven-time champion Michael Schumacher won’t indulge in dirty tricks on the racing track this year.

The British ace admitted he feared Schumacher’s reputation for nasty track tactics when they were running …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Schumacher won’t indulge in nasty track tactics: Hamilton.

Capello wants Beckham for England’s World Cup camp in South Africa

LONDON – England manager Fabio Capello has told injured midfielder David Beckham that he can still be with the team for this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

Capello has told Beckham that he is welcome to be a guest during the England camp in Rustenburg, as he believes … Read more >>.

Ferguson backs experienced players to grab record title for United

LONDON – Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reckons his experienced players will carry the club to a record 19th title.

With just eight games left in the Premier League, Ferguson is banking on the know-how of his multi-medal winners including Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand.
“Experience … Read : Ferguson backs experienced players to grab record title for United.

Pak Senators back ‘exemplary’ punishment for cricketers

LAHORE – In what could add to the turbulence in Pakistan cricket, members of the sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Sports have alleged that some of the members of the national cricket squad were involved in …. Original article  : Pak Senators back ‘exemplary’ punishment for cricketers.

Chris Martin relishing Aussie challenge

WELLINGTON – New Zealand fast bowler Chris Martin is looking forward to the challenge of facing Australia in the first Test to be played in Wellington from Friday.

Martin has a successful record at the Basin Reserve, fashioning a bowling average of 26.31 in eleven Tests played here so far.
It compares …. Source article  : Chris Martin relishing Aussie challenge.

Nielsen, team management to discuss Clarke issue ahead of Test

WELLINGTON – Australian cricket team coach Tim Nielsen has said that the team management will be discussing vice-captain Michael Clarke’s recent personal leave, but claims it will have no major effect on the composition of the squad.

Clarke left the team a week ago to sort …. Source  : Nielsen, team management to discuss Clarke issue ahead of Test.

Team seeding only works in first three rounds of basketball tournament

WASHINGTON – In basketball, picking the higher-seeded team to beat a lower-seeded opponent usually works only in the first three rounds of the tournament, according to a University of Illinois expert in statistics and data analysis.

Once the tournament enters the Elite Eight round, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Team seeding only works in first three rounds of basketball tournament.