Federer keen to put Annacone through Toronto coaching paces

TORONTO – Roger Federer will give his new coach a one-month tryout before deciding whether to proceed with Paul Annacone on board Team Federer, the Swiss player said as he prepared for his opening match at the Toronto Masters.

Federer, a two-time champion in Toronto, faces a second-round contest against Argentine Juan Chela, against whom he … Read more >>>.

New Zealand to play Honduras and Paraguay at home

WELLINGTON – New Zealand are to play Honduras and Paraguay at home in October, football officials said Tuesday.

The match against Honduras will be played Oct 9 at a venue to be confirmed, New Zealand Football announced, with Paraguay scheduled for three days later in Wellington.
These will be the New Zealand All Whites’ first matches … Read more »»».

Lack of strategists in Pak’s think-tank behind England tour debacle: Abdul Qadir

KARACHI – Former Pakistan cricketer Abdul Qadir believes that lack of strategy has hurt the national team in the ongoing disastrous tour of England.

Pakistan lost the Edgbaston Test against England by nine wickets, and is now 2-0 down in the four-match series. They had earlier lost the first Test at Trent Bridge by 354 …. Source  : Lack of strategists in Pak’s think-tank behind England tour debacle: Abdul Qadir.

Debris will be cleared in time: Dikshit

NEW DELHI – As Delhi Tuesday missed a crucial deadline to clear the city roads of rubble ahead of the Commonwealth Games, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit insisted that the debris had been cleaned to a large extent and the remaining would be done soon.

She attributed the deadline miss to the involvement of various agencies … Read more : Debris will be cleared in time: Dikshit.

Capello expecting boos and taunts from dejected Three Lions fans in Hungary clash

LONDON – England coach Fabio Capello is expecting boos and taunts from fans as Three Lions face Hungary on Wednesday.

“I expect boos, sure. It won’t be an easy game, especially in the first half. I deserve to be booed. Why not? We win together, we lose together. I respect the crowd and I’m the …. Original source  : Capello expecting boos and taunts from dejected Three Lions fans in Hungary clash.

Clancy seeks ‘love cheat’ Terry’s wife’s comfort after chucking Crouch out

LONDON – Lingerie model Abbey Clancy has done away not only with her engagement ring, but her fiance Peter Crouch too, and sought the comfort of John Terry’s wife Toni, after she found out about his romps with a 19-year-old hooker.

Clancy, 24, and Spurs star Crouch, 29, had a series of blazing rows after … Read more »».

Swann’s ‘brilliant off-break’ dubbed English “ball of 21st century”

LONDON – England spinner Graeme Swann’s brilliant off-break to bowl Pakistan opener Imran Farhat in the visitor’s second innings at Edgbaston, has been declared as the ball of the 21st century by most Englisg dailies.

Swann clean bowled Farhat with a vicious off-break, the third ball of a match-winning spell of 6/65 off 37 overs during … Original article on : Swann’s ‘brilliant off-break’ dubbed English “ball of 21st century”.

Woods may skip Ryder Cup over reluctance to pay 1 million pound tax bill

LONDON – American golfing great Tiger Woods’ reluctance to accept a Ryder Cup wild card may in part be due to a one million pound tax bill he could face for playing in the event.

The world No 1, who is reportedly going through an expensive divorce, is notoriously careful with his finances, and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Woods may skip Ryder Cup over reluctance to pay 1 million pound tax bill.

‘Injury prone’ Akhtar keeping 2011 World Cup firmly in sight

KARACHI – Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who is poised to make his return to international cricket in the two Twenty20 games against England, is eyeing a ODI comeback during the 2011 World Cup.

According to sources, Shoaib is working hard on his fitness, and wants to play in the mega tournament [..] Read the original article: here.

Capello risks rift with players by passing buck for World Cup fiasco

LONDON – Fabio Capello’s refusal to accept responsibility for England’s defeat in the World Cup in South Africa and blaming the players’ neuroses for it, is likely to have a telling impact on his efforts to rebuild his team’s confidence, and the players confidence in him.

If Capello loses the dressing room, he’s history.

According … Original article on : Capello risks rift with players by passing buck for World Cup fiasco.

Rooney flopped because of focus on scoring his first WC goal: James

LONDON – England goalkeeper David James has said that ace striker Wayne Rooney flopped at the World Cup because he was too focused on scoring his first World Cup goal and talked about nothing but the game for weeks in South Africa.

“If I can be blunt, I think Wazza’s problem was that he wanted success … Read more >>.

Akram ‘amused’ at PCB seeking batting coach to aid ’struggling’ Pak team reports

LAHORE – Pakistani cricket legend Wasim Akram has said that the appointment of a batting coach would not see any drastic change in the performance of the national team’s players on the tour of England.

The Pakistani batsmen have struggled against England fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad in the swinging English conditions. They had …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Akram ‘amused’ at PCB seeking batting coach to aid ’struggling’ Pak team reports.

Managerial change, 1st triple play in 15 years, rare, efficient win on wild Mariners day

Manager firing, triple play make for wild M’s day
SEATTLE – Don Wakamatsu, the major leagues’ first Japanese-American manager, got fired by the Seattle Mariners hours before they hosted a Japanese heritage day celebration on their field.
As some of Seattle’s more fed-up fans would say: Only the wayward Mariners.
A Monday that began with the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Managerial change, 1st triple play in 15 years, rare, efficient win on wild Mariners day.

Give Cushing some credit for coming up with a new twist to excuse making

In search of an out, Cushing finds OAS
As excuses go, it’s a step above “The dog ate my homework.”

Good thing it’s not a contest, though. Because as much as Brian Cushing tries, he can’t beat cyclist Tyler Hamilton’s claim a few years back that his imaginary twin was responsible for his positive blood doping tests.
Ah, … Read more »».

Kolkata Knight Riders sign 6???10 giant Pak fast bowler on Akram’s recommendation

KOLKATA/LAHORE – Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has signed the 6′10 giant Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Irfan on the recommendation of team’s bowling coach Wasim Akram.

Addressing the media at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, Irfan said that he was signed after the IPL franchise held some trials.

“Since I’m a …. Original source  : Kolkata Knight Riders sign 6′10 giant Pak fast bowler on Akram’s recommendation.

Broad needs to manage his temper on field: Hussain

SYDNEY – Former England skipper Nasser Hussain has said that fast bowler Stuart Broad needs to manage his temper on the cricket field.

Broad was fined 50 per cent of his applicable match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the third day’s play in the second Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Sunday … Read more : Broad needs to manage his temper on field: Hussain.

Heavy rains inundate Ahmedabad’s Sardar Patel stadium

AHMEDABAD – International cricket venue Sardar Patel stadium at Motera here was inundated with over six feet deep water logged in it following heavy rains in the last two days.

Speaking to media persons, Rajesh Patel, Secretary of Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), said that the heavy rainfall had inundated the stadium upto 12 to 15 feet.

“About … Original article on : Heavy rains inundate Ahmedabad’s Sardar Patel stadium.

Chelsea is ‘ordinary’ compared to Man U: Giggs

LONDON – Midfielder Ryan Giggs has said that Chelsea is ‘ordinary’ side compared to Manchester United.

The midfielder said this after his side cruised to a 3-1 win over Chelsea in Sunday’s Community Shield.

“I felt we controlled the game. Chelsea are a good team and at times we made them look ordinary,” The Sun quoted him, …. Read the original article  : Chelsea is ‘ordinary’ compared to Man U: Giggs.

Giants 4, Cubs 3, 11 innings,

Giants 4, Cubs 3, 11 innings,

Chicago

San Francisco

ab r h bi

ab r h bi

Colvin rf
5 0 1 1

ATorrs cf
5 1 2 1

SCastro ss …. Source  : Giants 4, Cubs 3, 11 innings,.

Pat Burrell’s game-ending sacrifice fly in 11th leads Giants past Cubs 4-3

Burrell’s sacrifice fly in 11th lifts Giants

SAN FRANCISCO – Carlos Zambrano matched his career-high with seven walks in his first start since a June 25 dugout blowup and ensuing banishment, and his short-handed Chicago Cubs lost to the San Francisco Giants 4-3 in 11 innings Monday night long after he left the game.
Pat Burrell hit …. Original article  : Pat Burrell’s game-ending sacrifice fly in 11th leads Giants past Cubs 4-3.