Warne’s criticism of Ponting was unfair: Merv Hughes

SYDNEY – Taking a swipe at Shane Warne in a bid to soften the scrutiny on captain Ricky Ponting, Australian national selector Merv Hughes has said that Warne’s criticism was unfair.

Warne caused a furore when he used Twitter to question what he felt were Ponting’s poor field placements for spinner Nathan Hauritz as India stormed … Original source on Gaea Times at : Warne’s criticism of Ponting was unfair: Merv Hughes.

Experts in favour of Khwaja and Harris in Oz Ashes squad

SYDNEY – New South Wales batsman Usman Khawaja and Queensland fast bowler Ryan Harris should be picked in the Australian squad for the Ashes series, according to experts.

Asked to name a 13-man outift with the best chance of winning the Ashes, which start in Brisbane on November 25, analysts and former Test players Mark Waugh, …. Read the original article  : Experts in favour of Khwaja and Harris in Oz Ashes squad.

Mancini prefers Manchester City players womanizing than drinking

LONDON – Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has said that he advises his players to indulge in womanizing than drinking.

Mancini’s comment comes after goalkeeper Joe Hart was pictured dancing on a bar in Puerto Banus last week before joining up with the national squad.

“I do not understand players drinking until they are drunk. We do …. Source article  : Mancini prefers Manchester City players womanizing than drinking.

PCB should clean up mess: Zaheer Abbas

KARACHI – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is doing one blunder after another, thus taking the national cricket to the edge of a disaster, former captain Zaheer Abbas has said.

“I was surprised to hear Ijaz giving a very controversial statement about the English Cricket Board (ECB) which he should’ve avoided,” the Daily Times quoted Zaheer, … Read more »».

Ancelotti fancies succeeding Capello as England manager

LONDON – Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he would be willing to succeed England manager Fabio Capello in future.

Capello, whose position has come under increased scrutiny after Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Montenegro, is contracted until after the Euro 2012.

When asked if he is eyeing the England manager’s job after achieving all his domestic … Read : Ancelotti fancies succeeding Capello as England manager.

Ferguson unfazed by talks of captaining Aussies

SYDNEY – Callum Ferguson, who has been tipped as Australian Test captain-in-waiting, tries to resists the hype over the debate that rages around the leadership credentials of Ricky Ponting.

Ponting and chief selector Andrew Hilditch have identified Ferguson as a certain … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ferguson unfazed by talks of captaining Aussies.

2018, 2022 World Cup bidding process in turmoil over FIFA officials’ vote-selling scam

LONDON – The bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 football World Cups has been thrown into turmoil after two senior FIFA officials were accused of offering to sell their votes in the contest in return for cash.

The allegations centre on Oceania Football … Original article on : 2018, 2022 World Cup bidding process in turmoil over FIFA officials’ vote-selling scam.

Greg Norman engaged for third time

MELBOURNE – Greg Norman is all set to tie the knot with his girlfriend Kirsten Kutner.

Norman and Kutner have told New Idea magazine about their engagement.

The golfing legend proposed to Kutner, unexpectedly presenting her with a six-carat diamond ring.

“One minute we were having a day-to-day conversation and the next moment, all of a sudden, everything … Original source on Gaea Times at : Greg Norman engaged for third time.

Kochi ODI washed out due to heavy rains

KOCHI – The first One-Day International between India and Australia has been abandoned due to heavy rains that took place in the wee hours here on Sunday.

It has been raining in the port city since last Thursday, which had also resulted in practice sessions of both the teams being washed out.

The two teams had … Read more »».

Chappell prefers Ponting over Waugh to lead Australia

MELBOURNE – Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has said that he would prefer Ricky Ponting to captain the team than Steve Waugh.

Comparing the records of both captains until Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath retired, he said Waugh had winning percentage of 71.93 percent whereas … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Chappell prefers Ponting over Waugh to lead Australia.

Clarke owns up responsibility for Australia’s 2-0 whitewash in India

SYDNEY – Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke, who made 35 runs in four Test innings in India, has spent so little time on the pitch on this tour that he id not certain about his form.

“It’s hard, I don’t even know if I’m hitting the ball well or not hitting it …. Original article  : Clarke owns up responsibility for Australia’s 2-0 whitewash in India.

Shane Warne to host chat show on Channel 9

MELBOURNE – Spin king Shane Warne is all set to get into a glittering job as a chat show host.

Warne is back in Melbourne to launch the apparel range of his label Spinners and develop a chat show with Channel 9 to air for the Ashes.

Warne is excited about the project and the hunt for … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Shane Warne to host chat show on Channel 9.

Ageing Ponting’s reign as skipper may end by April 2011: Chappell

SYDNEY – Former Australian captain Ian Chappell believes that Ricky Ponting’s reign as skipper may be over by April 2011.

Chappell expects Ponting to be removed as captain or reach the right point to step down following a busy schedule after the tour of India, the Ashes series and the 2011 World Cup.

“The conclusion of that … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Ageing Ponting’s reign as skipper may end by April 2011: Chappell.

Klitschko retains WBC heavyweight title

HAMBURG – Ukrainian WBC champion of the world Vitali Klitschko has retained his heavyweight title with an unanimous points victory over challenger Shannon Briggs.

Although the American had said before the fight Saturday that he would knock out the champion, who boxes out of Germany, the 38-year-old was never in it and probably lost all …. Read the original article  : here.

Norman tees off towards another marriage

SYDNEY – Former top ranked golfer Greg Norman announced Sunday he was engaged to Sydney interior designer Kirsten Kutner.

Twice-married Norman told Australia’s New Idea magazine he surprised Kutner with a six-carat engagement ring.
“One minute we were having a day-to-day conversation and the next moment, all of a sudden, everything changed, our lives changed,” … Original source on Gaea Times at : Norman tees off towards another marriage.

After winning hearts, ‘Shera’ readies for job hunt

NEW DELHI – He’s lanky, shy and all of 23. For the last 10 months, Satish Bidla had been transforming himself into Shera every day and now misses the adorable mascot of the Commonwealth Games. With the mega-event now over, he is ready to move on — and look for another job.

“I loved every …. Source  : After winning hearts, ‘Shera’ readies for job hunt.

More rains in Kochi, match abandoned

KOCHI – The first match of the one-day cricket series between India and Australia was abandoned as heavy rains lashed this Kerala city Sunday morning.

Kochi first saw a downpour at 4 a.m., dampening the ground that was immediately covered with blue sheets. This prompted authorities to say that the match would be delayed by …. Source  : More rains in Kochi, match abandoned.

Aussie boxer was sent home over ‘dropping pants in front of official’ during Delhi CWG

SYDNEY – An Australian boxer was sent home early from the Commonwealth Games at New Delhi after he allegedly dropped his trousers in front of an official.

A senior boxing official confirmed that 18-year-old Damien Hooper, who competed in the middleweight division but lost in the quarterfinals, was sent back to Australia a week early over … Original source on Gaea Times at : Aussie boxer was sent home over ‘dropping pants in front of official’ during Delhi CWG.

Rain delays opening of India-Australia cricket series

KOCHI – The first match of the one-day cricket series between India and Australia to be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium here will have a delayed start following a downpour in the wee hours of Sunday.

While the ground is still covered with a blue sheet, the stadium galleries are overflowing with spectators.
… Original source on Gaea Times at : Rain delays opening of India-Australia cricket series.

China hosts world martial arts championships

BEIJING – More than 2,200 contestants from 83 countries will participate in a world martial arts competition to be held in China over the next three days.

The 4th World Traditional Wushu Championships is being held in the hinterland city of Shiyan near the Wudang Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : China hosts world martial arts championships.