Badminton Star Saina Nehwal Elated

HYDERABAD, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Saina Nehwal who is the second ranked badminton player of the world, has said that the highest point in her life is the achievement of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. She said in a recent interview that before this award she bagged many other honors but none of them …. Read the original article  : here.

Chelsea stars not ready for Premier League start: Ancelottie

LONDON – Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has said his star players will not be fit for the big kick-off on August 14.

The Premier League champions lost their third pre-season game in a row 2-1 to Hamburg.

Ancelotti said his World Cup stars are struggling to be ready to face West Brom.

“Some players are …. Original article  : Chelsea stars not ready for Premier League start: Ancelottie.

Asif wants to win second Test against England for Pak flood victims

LONDON – Pakistan fast bowler Mohammed Asif has said that he wants to win the second Test match against England at Edgbaston starting Friday (tomorrow) for the victims of the devastating floods that have killed over 1500 people and rendered millions homeless in country’s north western regions.

Asif said that his teammates would be sporting a …. Read the original article  : Asif wants to win second Test against England for Pak flood victims.

‘Fit’ Yousuf not short of match practice: Faisal Khan

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan captain Salman Butt may have some concerns about Mohammed Yousuf’s match fitness and batting form, but Faisal Khan, who has been playing in domestic tournaments along with Yousuf believes that the former captain is in excellent touch.

“He’s (Yousuf) really excited about playing for Pakistan again. He’s confident that he can do well …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Fit’ Yousuf not short of match practice: Faisal Khan.

Butt searching for ‘experience’ to counter England’s aggression in second Test

LONDON – Following the stunning batting collapse in both the innings of the first Test against England, Pakistan skipper Salman Butt has hinted at some changes in the squad for the second Test at Edgbaston starting Friday (tomorrow), saying some ‘experience’ was needed to match the mighty hosts.

Butt said that some more experienced players …. Read the original article  : Butt searching for ‘experience’ to counter England’s aggression in second Test.

Tiger Woods refuses to commit himself to US Ryder Cup team

NEW YORK – American World No. 1 golfer Tiger Woods has refused to commit himself to playing for the US in this year’s Ryder Cup if selected by captain Corey Pavin.

“I’m planning on playing my way into the team,” The Telegraph quoted Woods, as saying.

With just two events left in the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Tiger Woods refuses to commit himself to US Ryder Cup team.

Hughes eyeing Oz Test return through Hampshire stint

SYDNEY – Australian opening batsman Phillip Hughes is hoping that his stint with Hampshire will help him regain a place in the Test team ahead of the tour of India and the Ashes.

After a successful domestic season, Hughes was almost certain to be included for the tour of England to face Pakistan, but he was …. Source  : Hughes eyeing Oz Test return through Hampshire stint.

More cyclists back claims of systematic doping by Armstrong

NEW YORK – More cyclists have supported and detailed claims that seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and his former United States Postal Service team participated in systematic doping.

Federal prosecutors have intensified their criminal investigation of cyclist Armstrong since the end of the Tour de France last month, The New York Times reports.

In … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : More cyclists back claims of systematic doping by Armstrong.

Hampshire gives Hughes opportunity to reclaim Oz Test spot

SYDNEY – English county team Hampshire is willing to give Australian opener Philip Hughes every opportunity to reclaim his Test spot for the Ashes by offering him much-needed match practice, but has no time for Kevin Pietersen.

Hughes will play for the first time in six months for Hampshire in September, having recovered from a dislocated …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Hampshire gives Hughes opportunity to reclaim Oz Test spot.

Sehwag’s 21st Test ton takes India to 282/4 (Lunch Report)

COLOMBO – Virender Sehwag cracked a fine 21st century as India made 282 for four in the first innings at lunch, in reply to Sri Lanka’s 425, on the third day of the final and the third cricket Test Thursday.
V.V.S. Laxman was batting on 42 and Suresh Raina at 39 at the lunch …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sehwag’s 21st Test ton takes India to 282/4 (Lunch Report).

Stadia will be ready, says Gill

NEW DELHI – Declaring that “India will get there”, Minister of Sports M.S. Gill told the Rajya Sabha Thursday that the stadia and other infrastructure will be ready before the Commonwealth Games (CWG) begins in October.

“Have faith in India. India will get there,” Gill told opposition members led by Prakash Javdekar of the Bharatiya Janata …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Stadia will be ready, says Gill.

Stokes elected Hockey India president

NEW DELHI – Interim president Vidya Stokes was elected the president of Hockey India here Thursday.

The 83-year-old Stokes defeated former India captain and Olympian Pargat Singh 41-21.
Narinder Batra, who was the interim secretary general, also retained his post. He defeated Gunjum Haider 44-18.
Mushtaque Ahmed was elected the treasurer.
…. Source article  : Stokes elected Hockey India president.

Real Madrid takes on Club America Tonight

NEW WORK (GaeaTimes.com) — Real Madrid vs Club America match will be telecast live at 11:00 pm on ET. Tonight will be the first match of Mourinho with his new team Real madrid as they will be facing Club America at the San Francisco’s Candlestick Park. It will be more of a friendly match.
Tonights game …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Real Madrid takes on Club America Tonight.

Spinner Swann happy to stand at second slip

LONDON – England off spinner Graeme Swann, who bowled just two overs in his team’s 354-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test at Trent Bridge, is content with the quiet life on the field.

He said: “I’m more than happy to stand at second slip and watch the fast bowlers perform like they did.”

“I’m an [..] Read the original article: here.

“I want batsmen to think I’m a real mean b******”: Finn

LONDON – England’s 6 feet 8 inch fast bowler Steven Finn has said that he wants batsmen around the world to fear him, and not think of him as being too soft.

The 21-year-old said: “I want batsmen to think I’m a real mean b******.”

Finn, who has 24 wickets in five Tests, is being looked …. Original article  : “I want batsmen to think I’m a real mean b******”: Finn.

Lunch scoreboard: India vs. Sri Lanka, Day 3, Third Test

COLOMBO – Scoreboard at lunch on the third day of the third and the final cricket Test between Sri Lanka and India at the P. Sara Oval here Wednesday.
Sri Lanka 1st innings: 425
India 1st innings (Overnight 180/2)
Murali Vijay c Mendis b Malinga 14
Virender Sehwag c Welegedara b Randiv 109 [..] Read the original article: here.

Ambani, Subrata Roy to compete with Chinese Govt. to buy Liverpool

LONDON – India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani and billionaire businessman Subrata Roy face competition from the Chinese Government in the battle to buy English Premier League club Liverpool.

The Indian business tycoons tabled their bid for Liverpool nine months after failing to buy a 51 per cent share in the Anfield outfit.

They join at … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Ambani, Subrata Roy to compete with Chinese Govt. to buy Liverpool.

Ponting denies retirement rumours

SYDNEY – Denying speculation over his retirement this summer, Ricky Ponting has said he is more than happy playing cricket for Australia and captaining his country.
Ponting, 35, had been expected to at least complete this summer’s Ashes campaign and the 2011 World Cup on the sub-continent before deciding on his future.
Last night, … Read more : Ponting denies retirement rumours.

‘Hot Spot’ camera shortage for 2011 World Cup cricket matches

SYDNEY – The ‘Hot Spot’ infrared imaging technology is likely to assist umpires only in the final stages of the 2011 World Cup due to a shortage of cameras.

A Melbourne-based firm, BBG Sports, which provides the technology, said that it has only four Hot Spot cameras, which would limit it to providing the technology for …. Source article  : ‘Hot Spot’ camera shortage for 2011 World Cup cricket matches.

Irish cancer-survivor on epic 7,000-mile journey round the world in gyrocopter

KUALA LUMPUR – Irishman Norman Surplus, who survived bowel cancer in 2003, is on an ambitious adventure of attempting to circumnavigate the globe in a gyrocopter.

As part of his 7,000-mile journey round the world, he has reached Malaysia – the 15th country on the way of his epic journey.

The 47-year-old had been earlier stalled …. Original article  : Irish cancer-survivor on epic 7,000-mile journey round the world in gyrocopter.