Pak cricket needs urgent catharsis to rid it of its cancer: Roebuck

SYDNEY – Pakistan cricket has been betrayed by the people it trusted most, its officials and captains, noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck has said.

In a syndicated column for the Sydney Morning Herald, Roebuck wrote that bookies are not the ones to be blamed …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pak cricket needs urgent catharsis to rid it of its cancer: Roebuck.

Ponting, Watson, replace Warner, Ferguson for ODI series against Sri Lanka

SYDNEY – Australian skipper Ricky Ponting and opening batsman Shane Watson have been recalled for the ODI series against Sri Lanka next month.

The duo was rested from the squad for the recent rain-hit ODI series in India, where …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Ponting, Watson, replace Warner, Ferguson for ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Gavaskar says IPL Kochi wants him

NEW DELHI – Former India cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar said Tuesday he was being wooed by Kochi’s Indian Premier League (IPL) team but he will take a decision only after the club resolves its internal issues.

“They have asked me, individually and collectively, to come in for the cricketing part of the team. I will … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gavaskar says IPL Kochi wants him.

“India ready to take on New Zealand,” claims Harbhajan

KOLKATA/MUMBAI – Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has said that the Indian cricket team is well prepared to beat New Zealand in the upcoming test series beginning from November 4.

“India is confident after the win over Australia and it has boosted the confidence of the players and they are high on spirit to play tough cricket against … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : “India ready to take on New Zealand,” claims Harbhajan.

‘Fully fit’ Siddle desperate to make Ashes Test return

LONDON – Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle is hoping that his selection in Sunday’s Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka will help him bid for a Test return during the upcoming Ashes series.

Siddle’s last match for Australia was in January before stress fractures in his back sidelined the 25-year-old from active cricket.

“I’m not a selector, but …. Original source  : ‘Fully fit’ Siddle desperate to make Ashes Test return.

Dhoni debunks bookie link up allegations against Raina

SURAT – Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has refuted all reports of teammate Suresh Raina’s alleged association with any bookmaker during Team India’s Sri Lanka Tour.

Dhoni said that the allegations are baseless.

“I think it is baseless. Exactly, I cannot speak, as I have no clue from where it started and to what extent it has …. Source article  : Dhoni debunks bookie link up allegations against Raina.

PCB may sue Brit paper for ‘baseless’ claims against players following ICC ‘all clear’

KARACHI – Following the International Cricket Council’s admission that it had no ‘compelling evidence’ of match-fixing in the third one-dayer against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mulling initiating legal action against the British newspaper that had leveled those allegations against the Pakistan cricketers.

According to sources, the PCB is in consultation with its British …. Original source  : PCB may sue Brit paper for ‘baseless’ claims against players following ICC ‘all clear’.

Ex-selectors backing Pak against SA in ‘home-like’ UAE conditions

KARACHI – The Pakistan cricket team would have an edge over their South African counterparts in the series opener due to favourable weather conditions, the pitch and the crowd, former Pakistani selectors have said.

“Pakistan would have an edge over South Africa as the team have some good players for the T20 format. They would certainly …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ex-selectors backing Pak against SA in ‘home-like’ UAE conditions.

Baking soda boosts athletic performance: Study

WASHINGTON – A study has found that dietary supplementation with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) on the morning of a tennis match allows athletes to maintain their edge.

A randomized, controlled trial found that those players who received the supplement showed no decline in skilled tennis performance after a simulated match.

Chen-Kang Chang from the National Taiwan … Read more >>>.

Swann’s use of umpire referral system to sound death-knell for Oz in Ashes: Emburey

LONDON – Former England cricketer John Emburey believes that off-spinner Graeme Swann can capitalize on Australian conditions, and use the umpire referral system as a weapon during next month’s Ashes series.

“With the referral system in place, the Australian left-handers will struggle against him when he bowls at them from round the wicket. You’ve now got …. Read the original article  : here.

Maria Sharapova’s engagement ring costs $250K

WASHINGTON – Maria Sharapova was recently spotted with her new engagement ring, which was given to her by her fiancee L.A. Laker Sasha Vujacic.

“This ring makes a statement. It’s no wonder why Maria is smiling in the photos! ” UsMagazine.com quoted jewelry expert Michael O’Connor as saying.

O’Connor gave more details on the Grand Slam winner’s …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Clarke confident of beating his Twenty20 blues

SYDNEY – Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke is confident that he can come to grips with the Twenty20 format with a good show at Sunday’s match against Sri Lanka.

Clarke averages just 21.45 over 27 Twenty20 international innings at a strike rate of 103.96.

“I’d like to obviously have more success personally, it (T20) is an area …. Source  : Clarke confident of beating his Twenty20 blues.

Tony Romo Injured

DALLAS (GaeaTimes.com)- Monday night’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants turned out to be a highly forgettable game for the ardent followers of the former team. Not only did the Dallas Cowboys suffered a disappointing defeat in the hands of their opponents by 41-35, the team also lost its star quarterback …. Original source  : Tony Romo Injured.

Boon, Cox or Hughes face sack following Chappell’s CA full-time selector appointment

MELBOURNE – One of Australia’s cricket selectors -David Boon, Jamie Cox or Merv Hughes – will reportedly be sacked after a Cricket Australia (CA) board meeting in Melbourne on Friday.

The need to give the marching orders to one of the selectors has arisen because of Greg Chappell’s recent appointment as the country’s first full-time selector, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Boon, Cox or Hughes face sack following Chappell’s CA full-time selector appointment.

Anderson will be fit for Ashes opener: Flower

LONDON – England coach Andy Flower has said that fast bowler James Anderson is winning his battle to be fit for next month’s opening Ashes Test against Australia.

Anderson cracked a rib during a boxing session with team-mates at England’s recent training camp in Germany.

“He’s already bowling at 75per cent, so he should be fine for … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Anderson will be fit for Ashes opener: Flower.

Woods liked three-way sex with women, claims mistress Loredana Jolie

NEW YORK – Tiger Woods’ mistress Loredana Jolie has opened up about her sex relationship with the golfer in her new book, ‘The Real Diary: Lessons from the Good Time Girl to Champion.’

The first tell-all from one of Woods’ many bedroom conquests claims the “largely endowed” golfer liked three-way sex with women, fantasized about men … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Woods liked three-way sex with women, claims mistress Loredana Jolie.

Flower bans England WAGs for first two Ashes Tests

LONDON – England coach Andy Flower has barred his players from seeing their wives and girlfriends (WAGs) for the first five weeks of the tour to Australia.

The first Test is on November 25, but the squad will not be allowed to see their families until after the second Test in Perth, scheduled to finish on … Read more »».

Wayne Rooney’s fiery verbal spat with wife Coleen

LONDON – It seems all is not well between footballer Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen.

It was earlier reported that Rooney and Coleen flied to Dubai to celebrate England striker’s 25th birthday and 250,000-a-week contract to stay at Manchester United.

But simmering tensions over the star’s hooker sessions later sizzled to the surface as they …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Ex-Oz keeper Marsh questions exclusion of Paine for Haddin

SYDNEY – Australian wicket keeping great Rod Marsh has reportedly questioned the National Selection panel’s (NSP) decision to omit performing Tasmanian wicket-keeper for the national Twenty20 squad that is to face Sri Lanka this weekend.

Marsh has questioned whether Brad Haddin, who remains the country’s premier gloveman, deserved an automatic recall to the Australian side for … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ex-Oz keeper Marsh questions exclusion of Paine for Haddin.

Ponting says will target ‘England weak links’ Cook, KP during Ashes

LONDON – Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has said that he will target England batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Alistair Cook during the forthcoming Ashes series, as he sees them as the weak link in that line-up.

Speaking on Fox Sports program Inside Cricket, Ponting said: “There’s been a few other cracks opening up in their batting …. Source article  : Ponting says will target ‘England weak links’ Cook, KP during Ashes.