PCB took Salman, Waqar into confidence over Yousuf’s recall: Pak manager

LONDON – Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has rubbished media reports that skipper Salman Butt and coach Waqar Younis were not on board concerning the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to recall veteran middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf ,and include young left-arm spinner Hasan Raza while axing leg spinner Danish Kaneria from the Test squad.

“Reports of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : PCB took Salman, Waqar into confidence over Yousuf’s recall: Pak manager.

Lunch scoreboard: India vs. Sri Lanka, Third Test, Day 1

COLOMBO – The following is the scoreboard at lunch on the first day of the third and final cricket Test between India and Sri Lanka at P. Sara Oval here Tuesday.

Sri Lanka 1st innings:
Tharanga Paranavitana c Dhoni b Sharma 8
Tillekratne Dilshan run out (Vijay/Dhoni) 41
Kumar Sangakkara batting 48 …. Original article  : Lunch scoreboard: India vs. Sri Lanka, Third Test, Day 1.

Wenger, Capello were approached to coach Barcelona in 2001: Gaspart

LONDON – Former Barcelona President Joan Gaspart claims that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was forced by his club to turn down a move to Nou Camp in 2001, as was England manager Fabio Capello.

Gaspart said that his club had tried to tempt Wenger after the dismissal of Llorenc Serra Ferrer, and prior to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Wenger, Capello were approached to coach Barcelona in 2001: Gaspart.

Horror Hungarian finish have left F1 title hopes “hanging by a thread”: Hamilton

LONDON – British Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton has admitted that his championship title hopes are “hanging by a thread” following McLaren’s shocking Hungarian Grand Prix result.

The race was McLaren’s worst of the year, with Hamilton retiring with a gearbox failure, and Button finishing eighth.

The 25-year-old, now four points behind Red Bull’s Mark Webber in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Horror Hungarian finish have left F1 title hopes “hanging by a thread”: Hamilton.

Morgan’s emergence makes England’s current batting unit strongest ever: Bell

LONDON – England batsman Ian Bell claims that Eoin Morgan’s emergence as a Test player shows the depth of the national squad.

Bell is out of the current Test series against Pakistan as he is recovering from a broken metatarsal.

The injury has opened the door for Morgan, who has cemented his place with his maiden Test … Original article on : Morgan’s emergence makes England’s current batting unit strongest ever: Bell.

Dalit funds not diverted to CWG: Dikshit

NEW DELHI – Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Tuesday dismissed allegations by her Uttar Pradesh counterpart Mayawati that the city government had diverted funds meant for Dalit upliftment to the Commonwealth Games.

“We have not diverted any funds from the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes welfare schemes for the Commonwealth Games,” Dikshit told reporters here.
Mayawati had …. Source article  : Dalit funds not diverted to CWG: Dikshit.

Man U star Neville puts diesel in petrol friendly Audi Q7

LONDON – Manchester United star Gary Neville became the laughing stock of onlookers when he had diesel put in his luxury petrol-driven Audi Q7.

According to The Sun, Neville, 35, pumped 60-pounds worth of diesel into his 100,000-pound Audi Q7. When he tried to start it near his home in Bolton, Lancashire, the engine cut out.

Neville … Read more >>>.

Flintoff likely to play Twenty20 in Australia and New Zealand

LONDON – England all rounder Andrew Flintoff is in negotiations with the Queensland Bulls to play in Australia’s KFC Big Bash Twenty20 tournament in January, and could also sign for New Zealand state side Northern Districts to re-launch his plan to be a cricket freelancer.

Queensland had attempted to sign Flintoff before, but the talks …. Original article  : Flintoff likely to play Twenty20 in Australia and New Zealand.

Sangakkara steers Sri Lankan innings to 102/2 (Lunch report)

COLOMBO – Kumar Sangakkara steered Sri Lankan innings with an unbeaten 48 as the hosts reached 102 for two at lunch in the third cricket Test against India at P.Sara Oval here Tuesday.
Sri Lanka lost the wicket of Tillakaratne Dilshan (41) at the stroke of lunch.
Sangakkara won the toss and elected to … Read : Sangakkara steers Sri Lankan innings to 102/2 (Lunch report).

China guarantees overseas media rights to cover Asian Games

BEIJING – China has guaranteed that overseas media will be given freedom to cover the 16th Asian Games scheduled for Nov 12-27 and the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Para Games for disabled Asian athletes in december.

“Overseas reporters will be free to interview athletes, coaches, officials and residents if they abide by relevant Chinese laws and … Read more : China guarantees overseas media rights to cover Asian Games.

Bloodied, belligerent, beaten, Murray refuses to accept he’s lost it

LONDON – British tennis star Andy Murray’s defeat at the final of the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles has prompted concern from former tennis players and sports psychologists alike.

Bloodied, belligerent, and beaten, Murray, however refused to accept his own mistakes, instead punishing his body in an extreme – and some say – worrying outburst. [..] Read the original article: here.

Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez approaching 2 weeks in his quest for 600 career homers

A-Rod’s quest for 600 home runs approaches 2 weeks

NEW YORK – The numbers on the specially marked balls for Alex Rodriguez’s at-bats must be getting up there – perhaps, uhm, close to say 600.
The Yankees slugger’s quest – and by now it is one – for membership in the exclusive 600-homer club extended into its … Read more »».

Davis homers, Cahill pitches a 3-hitter in A’s 6-0 victory over Royals

Davis homers, Cahill tosses 3-hitter in A’s win

OAKLAND, Calif. – Trevor Cahill threw a three-hitter for his first complete game, Rajai Davis hit a two-run homer and the Oakland Athletics beat Kansas City 6-0 on Monday night to end the Royals’ three-game winning streak.
Matt Watson, Kevin Kouzmanoff and Coco Crisp also drove in runs for …. Original source  : Davis homers, Cahill pitches a 3-hitter in A’s 6-0 victory over Royals.

‘Sulking’ Button determined to work a*** off to retain F1 title

LONDON – Reigning Formula One champion Jenson Button is in a defiant mood after his McLaren team endured what he called “our lowest point” of the season in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

Button, who finished eighth in the race that saw teammate Lewis Hamilton being forced to retire with gearbox problems, admitted that the team now …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Sulking’ Button determined to work a*** off to retain F1 title.

Anderson restoring dying art of swing bowling in cricket: Moores

London, Aug 3(ANI): Former England coach Peter Moores has said that fast bowler James Anderson is restoring one of cricket’s dying arts – swing bowling.

Moores reckons that Anderson’s ability to deceive batsmen by swinging the ball both ways makes him unique these days.

The 28-year-old returned stunning figures of 11-71 as England thrashed Pakistan by 354 … Read more »»».

England squad unchanged for Edgbaston Test against Pakistan

LONDON – England has retained the 12-man squad that won the Test series opener against Pakistan for the second at Edgbaston, starting on Friday.

Fast bowler Tim Bresnan was the 12th man in the team that won the first Test of the four-match series by 354 runs inside four days.

Barring injuries, the same side is … Read more : England squad unchanged for Edgbaston Test against Pakistan.

Obama takes daughter Sasha to see women’s basketball game

LONDON – US President Barack Obama recently took time out from his presidential responsibilities for her nine-year-old daughter, Sasha.

He gave Sasha a lesson in girl power by taking her to a women’s basketball game, reports the Daily Star.

Soon-to-be 49, Obama and his youngest child watched their home team Washington Mystics beat Tulsa Shock. (ANI)
… Read more >>>.

Medical team advises Flintoff to delay return from injury

SYDNEY – The long-awaited return of England all rounder Andrew Flintoff, who underwent knee surgery, has been delayed on the advice of his county’s medical team.

Flintoff was set to play in a one-day match for Lancashire’s second eleven against Yorkshire on Monday, but the all-rounder has been held back on the advice of his …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Medical team advises Flintoff to delay return from injury.

Anderson will be a force to reckon with during Ashes regardless of conditions: Flower

MELBOURNE – England fast bowler James Anderson will be a force to reckon during the Ashes series even if conditions are not exactly to the swing specialist’s liking, according to coach Andy Flower.

England captain Andrew Strauss believes there is no one better in world cricket than Anderson when the ball is swinging.

But the biggest challenge … Original source on Gaea Times at : Anderson will be a force to reckon with during Ashes regardless of conditions: Flower.

Rooney set for Ferguson’s “hairdryer” treatment over eight-hour bender

LONDON – Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is set to face the trademark “hairdryer” treatment from manager Sir Alex Ferguson after being snapped smoking during a nightlong bender on Sunday.

Rooney, who partied with wife Coleen and pals, also urinated next to a bin outside Manchester’s trendy Panacea nightspot.

Ferguson was said to be “angry and disappointed” …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Rooney set for Ferguson’s “hairdryer” treatment over eight-hour bender.