Nadal, Murray power through as rain fails to dampen US Open

NEW YORK – Top seed Rafael Nadal took full advantage of benevolent weather to storm into the third round of the US Open when forecast rain failed to materialise as an Atlantic storm bypassed the tournament.

The world number one, who is keen to win the only Grand Slam title that has eluded him, hammered Dennis … Read : Nadal, Murray power through as rain fails to dampen US Open.

Ehsan Mani slams PCB, Pak High Commission’s role in ’spot-fixing’ scandal

ISLAMABAD – Former International Cricket Council (ICC) President Ehsan Mani has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board for its handling of the ’spot-fixing’ scandal.

Mani said that the PCB had done nothing except talk about playing those players until proven guilty.

“If the allegations are proven, the whole thing is totally unacceptable. Everyone involved in cricket, especially the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Ehsan Mani slams PCB, Pak High Commission’s role in ’spot-fixing’ scandal.

ICC withdraws Asif and Amir’s names from annual awards list

KARACHI – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has withdrawn the names of suspended Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir from its annual awards list.

“The pair’s nominations have been withdrawn and the jury has been informed,” The Dawn quoted an ICC spokesman, as saying.

Asif was nominated for Test player of the year, while Amir … Original source on Gaea Times at : ICC withdraws Asif and Amir’s names from annual awards list.

Pak call up Shafiq, Irfan to replace suspended trio for England ODI series

LONDON – The Pakistan team has replaced ’spot-fixing’ accused trio with batsman Asad Shafiq and fast bowler Mohammad Irfan for the five- match ODI series against England, to be played from September 10-22.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has provisionally suspended captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir over the charges leveled against them.

“We’ve decided …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pak call up Shafiq, Irfan to replace suspended trio for England ODI series.

‘Shocked’ Trott says ’spot fixing’ scandal should not tarnish his Lord’s heroics

LONDON – Jonathan Trott, who hit 184 and shared a world record eighth-wicket stand of 332 with Stuart Broad in the Lord’s Test against Pakistan, admits that he is sickened by match fixing allegations.

The Pakistan cricket team is in the midst of a betting scam, where fast bowlers Mohammed Aamir and Mohammed Asif are alleged …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Butt’s snap in driver’s seat of Majeed’s Aston Martin proves his proximity

LONDON – A photograph taken outside the Pakistan team’s London hotel in July, shows Salman Butt in the driver’s seat of the Aston Martin DB9 belonging to Mazhar Majeed, giving an indication that the suspended Test skipper and his agent have a close relationship.

The Pakistan cricket team is in the midst of a betting scam, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Butt’s snap in driver’s seat of Majeed’s Aston Martin proves his proximity.

Criminal charges on trio unlikely in ’spot-fixing’ scandal: Former PCB chief

ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan has said that criminal charges are unlikely to be upheld against captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who are embroiled in a ’spot-fixing’ scandal.

“I don’t think it will be easy to prove criminal charges against our cricketers. In most of these sting operations in … Read : Criminal charges on trio unlikely in ’spot-fixing’ scandal: Former PCB chief.

ICC may probe ’suspicious’ Sydney Test between Australia-Pakistan

SYDNEY – The International Cricket Council could widen its investigations into the allegations against Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamir and Salman Butt whom it suspended late Thursday, to cover last year’s contentious Test match played between Pakistan against Australia in Sydney.

The Pakistan cricket team is in the midst of a betting scam, where fast bowlers Mohammed … Read more : ICC may probe ’suspicious’ Sydney Test between Australia-Pakistan.

PCB’s failure to take action ‘forced’ ICC to suspend players: Former selectors

KARACHI – The failure of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take action against the three players accused of ’spot-fixing’ forced the International Cricket Council (ICC) to intervene by suspending them, former selectors have said.

The ICC provisionally suspended captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir from international matches, despite the fact that [..] Read the original article: here.

Cricket will survive ’spot-fixing’ scandal: Flower

LONDON – England coach Andy Flower is confident that cricket “will survive” the ’spot-fixing’ scandal engulfing the visiting Pakistan team.

“No-one wants that sort of news on the front or back page,” The News quoted Flower, as saying.

“Obviously, it’s not a very healthy position that we seem to be finding ourselves in right now, but … Original source on Gaea Times at : Cricket will survive ’spot-fixing’ scandal: Flower.

Pak manager urges scandal-hit team to stay strong

LONDON – Pakistan manager Yawar Saeed has urged his ’spot-fixing’ scandal-hit squad to stay strong and “ride the pressure” for the remainder of the tour of England.

“We are human beings. Everybody has pressures in life – we have to ride the pressure, not give in to the pressure,” The Dawn quoted Saeed, as saying. … Read more »»».

New Oz ’split-innings’ domestic ODI format will hurt World Cup preparations: Ponting

SYDNEY – Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting is concerned that the preparation of some of the players currently outside the national team ahead of the World Cup will be hampered by the new domestic one-day format.
Cricket Australia recently announced domestic one-dayers will now be split into two innings of 20 and 25 …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : New Oz ’split-innings’ domestic ODI format will hurt World Cup preparations: Ponting.

Flower defends bowling coach Mushtaq after ICC chief’s caution over his ‘dubious’ past

LONDON – England coach Andy Flower defended his spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed after the International Cricket Council asked the ECB to be more vigilant, adding that it would not employ him because of his past links with match-fixing.

Former Pakistan leg spinner Mushtaq was implicated in the Qayyum report into match fixing in 2000 and … Read more : Flower defends bowling coach Mushtaq after ICC chief’s caution over his ‘dubious’ past.

Aussies disagree over team uniform for Commonwealth Games 2010

MELBOURNE – A disagreement over the Australian team uniform for the Commonwealth Games 2010 has come up, with Olympic gold medallist swimmer Leisel Jones saying she loves it, while fashion designer George Gross says they are just “blah” and “gaga”.

The grey suits with brightly coloured shirts, which are Australian athletes’ official outfits, by Table Eight … Read : Aussies disagree over team uniform for Commonwealth Games 2010.

North Texas opens at Clemson in win-or-else season for former high school boss Todd Dodge

Dodge faces win-or-else season at North Texas
DENTON, Texas – Todd Dodge is no longer the hot shot high school coach hired to energize the North Texas football program.
After 31 losses in three years, he’s just trying to hang on to his job and avoid becoming another case study in why it’s so rare …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : North Texas opens at Clemson in win-or-else season for former high school boss Todd Dodge.

On a day of low scoring in Boston, Tiger Woods is chasing

Tiger has to rally to keep playing
NORTON, Mass. – Tiger Woods was expecting the worst at the Deutsche Bank Championship, and that’s what he got.
Only it was from his game, not from Hurricane Earl.
Even after the late starters on the TPC Boston came in from occasional bursts of rain – none …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : On a day of low scoring in Boston, Tiger Woods is chasing.

Patrick Crayton Traded To San Diego Chargers

DALLAS (GaeaTimes.com)- On Friday, Patrick Crayton, the receiver of the Dallas Cowboys was released from the team and traded to the San Diego Chargers. The trade came after Dallas Cowboys received Dez Bryant during the first round NFL draft pick this April. Patrick Crayton who had a contract with the Dallas Cowboys extending till [..] Read the original article: here.

Tiger Woods ’smiled and posed for pic right after divorce’

WASHINGTON – Disgraced golfer Tiger woods reportedly smiled and posed for a photo when he left the courtroom after divorce from ex-wife Elin Nordegren.
Woods’ divorce from Nordegren was finalized at Bay County Circuit Court in Panama City, Florida last month.
The golfer didn’t say one word to ex-wife on the divorce [..] Read the original article: here.

Doping cases will not affect India’s performance in CWG: Bhanot

NEW DELHI – Lalit Bhanot, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC), has said that doping incidents will not affect India’s performance in the upcoming mega-event, after four Indian wrestlers were ruled out of the 2010 Games, failing to pass the doping test.

“It’s not a good thing what has happened, but as …. Original article  : Doping cases will not affect India’s performance in CWG: Bhanot.

Tiger Woods”mistress’ Rachel Uchitel purchases $2m NY apartment

LONDON – Tiger Woods’ alleged mistress Rachel Uchitel has apparently purchased a 2-million-dollar Park Avenue apartment in New York City.
The apartment includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a fireplace and ‘white glove’ service at the doorman building, reports the Daily Mail.
According to TMZ, while the asking price for the unit was listed [..] Read the original article: here.