CWG: Australian team asked to pay for damages

NEW DELHI – The Australians have been asked to pay for damages after a washing machine fell from a balcony in the Australian area in the Commonwealth Games Village, an Indian official said Friday.

Lalit Bhanot, secretary general of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, however dismissed reports of vandalism blamed on the Australian contingent.
“There …. Original article  : CWG: Australian team asked to pay for damages.

‘Shocked’ Watson ’sad’ over Rajasthan Royals termination from IPL

SYDNEY – Australian all rounder Shane Watson, who was planning a long and lucrative future with Rajasthan Royals, had no idea that the IPL team was in trouble after its contract was terminated by the Indian board.

Watson got the shocking news from his former Australian teammate Adam Gilchrist who informed him during the second Test …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Shocked’ Watson ’sad’ over Rajasthan Royals termination from IPL.

Lawson says time for Ponting to hand over captaincy to Clarke to focus on batting

MELBOURNE – Former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson has asked the Australian selectors to dump Ricky Ponting as captain before the Ashes, after a series whitewash at the hands of India, and replace him with vice captain Michael Clarke.

He said Ponting, 35, had now lost five series, and relieving him of the captaincy would …. Original source  : Lawson says time for Ponting to hand over captaincy to Clarke to focus on batting.

Rooney paying for sexcapades by taking mum-in-law shopping!

LONDON – It seems Wayne Rooney is putting every effort to mend his relationship his mother-in-law after his cheating fiasco.

The footballer ace took mother-in-law Colette out for shopping and looked fed-up as he carried the bags.

But any treats he bought her may be a well-deserved “thank-you”, as pals say Colette helped save Wayne’s marriage after …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Rooney paying for sexcapades by taking mum-in-law shopping!.

Indian goodwill triumphed over Kalmadi, says Aussie paper

MELBOURNE – “The people of India, their goodwill and their kindness triumphed over the (Commonwealth Games) Organising Committee’s chaos and corruption in the end,” an Australian newspaper said Friday.

In a tribute after the conclusion of the New Delhi games, the Herald Sun admitted that the Indians proved to be “gracious hosts”.
But it described …. Original article  : Indian goodwill triumphed over Kalmadi, says Aussie paper.

Games were wonderful, says South African chef de mission

NEW DELHI – Patience Shikwambana, South Africa’s chef de mission, knows that Indians are last minute organisers, so she was not too worried about the Commonwealth Games running well.

Indians are last minute people. I’ve been told that most of the people in India never reach a place on time. This is also what was … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Games were wonderful, says South African chef de mission.

India celebrates with aplomb successful completion of Delhi Commonwealth Games

NEW DELHI – It was a triumphant evening for India when it completed the holding of the XIX Commonwealth Games in Delhi, putting at rest a thousand doubts by staging one of the most colourful galas to bring down the curtain on the eleven-day event.

India made a record haul of 101 medals, including 38 … Read more >>.

Blewett expects huge summer from Ponting as captain

SYDNEY – Former Australian batsman Greg Blewett has backed Ricky Ponting as captain for next month’s Ashes despite Australia losing three Tests in a row and slumping to fifth in the world rankings for the first time in their history.

Blewett acknowledges that Australia will be “down on confidence” following their 2-0 defeat against India, but …. Original source  : Blewett expects huge summer from Ponting as captain.

Delhi CWG closing ceremony ‘a spectacular send-off’, says international media

NEW DELHI – The curtains came down on the XIXth Commonwealth Games in New Delhi with a spectacular closing ceremony which has drawn unparalleled applause from across the world.

Martial arts, schoolchildren dancing to the tune of Indian National Song-Vande Matram, popular Bollywood hits and a laser show took centre stage in front of a 65,000-strong …. Original article  : Delhi CWG closing ceremony ‘a spectacular send-off’, says international media.

Oz chief Crosswhite puts blame on other athletes for vandalism at Games village

NEW DELHI – Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief Perry Crosswhite, who admitted that a washing machine was dropped from a balcony in Australia’s section of the Games village, is now trying to cover up things by saying that he would be surprised if an Australian athlete was blamed for the incident.

Australian athletes unable to bear …. Source  : Oz chief Crosswhite puts blame on other athletes for vandalism at Games village.

Dhoni wants Tests hosted at venues where ‘full circus of fans can help them perform’

SYDNEY – Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni wants Tests matches to be scheduled more at venues which are more receptive to the game.

Team India was victorious in the second Test against Australia at Bangalore in front of large and vocal crowds at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, creating an atmosphere all too rare in Tests on … Read more : Dhoni wants Tests hosted at venues where ‘full circus of fans can help them perform’.

Australian athlete sent home for bad behaviour

SYDNEY – An Australian athlete was sent home for bad behaviour this week from the Commonwealth Games and a washing machine was dropped from a balcony in the Australian section of the Games Village after the closing ceremony, it was reported Friday.

No one was injured in the Thursday incident, Perry Crosswhite, chief executive of … Read more »».

Jharkhand to felicitate CWG medalists

RANCHI – Commonwealth Games medalists from Jharkhand will be felicitated and rewarded by the state government, it was announced here Friday.

“We will felicitate the players of the state who won the medals in the 19th Commonwealth Games. The players will be rewarded,” Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Mahto, who also heads the state sports [..] Read the original article: here.

Manmohan Singh to meet CWG medallist today

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will meet Commonwealth Games 2010 medal winners here today.

According to sources, the Prime Minister will meet the medalists at his residence – 7 Race Course Road – at 5 p.m.

Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, Sports Minister M.S. Gill and other sports officials are also likely …. Source  : Manmohan Singh to meet CWG medallist today.

Bopanna-Aisam duo sails into Shanghai quarter-finals

KARACHI – The tennis duo comprising Rohan Bopanna of India and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan has advanced into the quarterfinals of the ATP Master Tennis Championship men’s doubles event in Shanghai.

The ‘Indo-Pak Express’ was in a lethal form against the tallest team on the ATP Tour, 6 feet 8 inches tall Dick Norman of Belgium …. Source  : Bopanna-Aisam duo sails into Shanghai quarter-finals.

Secret behind Kirsten’s success with Team India where other foreigners failed

BANGALORE – Indian cricket team’s coach Gary Kirsten has revealed how he has turned the team from being perpetual underachievers to a dominant Test team in the world within two years.

When asked about his successful stint with Team India when many foreign coaches have failed in the subcontinent, Kirsten said: “It was very different, … Read more »»».

Watson says Aussies will have ‘no excuses’ against England in Ashes

BANGALORE – Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has said that his team would have no excuses during next month’s Ashes.

The Australian team is currently ranked fifth in the world following their 2-0 Test series defeat against India, and is dealing with their longest Test-match losing streak for 22 years.

“Every Test we play, everyone is improving. … Original article on : Watson says Aussies will have ‘no excuses’ against England in Ashes.

Kiwi ODI series against Bangladesh ’shaping up as one of the worst ever’: Morrison

AUCKLAND – Former New Zealand batsman John Morrison has labeled the Black Caps’ ODI series loss against Bangladesh as their worst tour in recent memory.

Morrison’s comment came on the back of New Zealand’s third straight ODI loss to ninth ranked side Bangladesh, handing the minnows their first ever series win over a major cricketing nation.

“It’s …. Source article  : Kiwi ODI series against Bangladesh ’shaping up as one of the worst ever’: Morrison.

Australian athlete sent home for bad behaviour during Commonwealth Games

NEW DELHI – Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief Perry Crosswhite said on Friday that an athlete had been sent home from Delhi for disciplinary reasons and admitted that a washing machine was dropped from a balcony in Australia’s section of the Games village.

Australian athletes unable to bear their cricket team’s 2-0 loss to India … Read more : Australian athlete sent home for bad behaviour during Commonwealth Games.

India targeted Hauritz, Oz middle order for 2-0 series whitewash

SYDNEY – Indian cricket coach Gary Kirsten targeted two key weaknesses of the Australian side-Nathan Hauritz and middle order batting-to complete a 2-0 series sweep and relegating Australia to an all-time low fifth place in the ICC rankings.

England in their Ashes defence may now also exploit the two key weaknesses targeted by the Indian team … Original article on : India targeted Hauritz, Oz middle order for 2-0 series whitewash.