Waugh predicts Australia will win Ashes, but warns under-performing seniors

SYDNEY – Former Test captain Steve Waugh has predicted that Australia will win the Ashes but warned the under-performing senior players not to take their place for granted in the national team.

Asked if young players should be introduced in big series, Waugh said: “I don’t see why not. Just because it’s an Ashes series [..] Read the original article: here.

Rooney will prove his worth very soon: Ronaldo

LONDON – Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo believes that it is only a matter of time before Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney starts to justify his 150,000-a-week deal.

It is now been seven months since Rooney last scored a Premier League goal from open play.

“Wayne has not started this season very well, but he is still …. Source article  : Rooney will prove his worth very soon: Ronaldo.

Waugh’s Ashes warning to under-performing senior Oz stars

SYDNEY – Former Australian captain Steve Waugh has warned the national team’s under-performing senior players that they could not count on experience alone to keep their places in next month’s Ashes series.

Waugh said that the selectors should not fear axing some experienced players to strengthen the struggling national line-up.

“I don’t see why. Just because it’s … Original article on : Waugh’s Ashes warning to under-performing senior Oz stars.

UAE offers to stage Pak’s upcoming ‘home series’ against Sri Lanka and England

KARACHI – A top official of the Emirates Cricket Board has offered Pakistan the chance of staging more of their home matches in the UAE before international cricket resumes in the troubled country.

Emirates Cricket Board Chief Executive Dilawar Mani said that he had offered Pakistan the chance to stage their series against Sri Lanka in …. Read the original article  : here.

Ashes series: England quick Anderson says he’s no one-trick pony

LONDON – England fast bowler James Anderson has said that he is not a one-trick pony and is poised to prove his versatility with the ball against Australia in the Ashes next month.

The 28-year-old collected five wickets at 82.60 during the last Ashes series in Australia. He has taken 52 wickets at 43.84 from 19 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Vaughan says England will have no excuse not to win the Ashes

LONDON – Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has ramped up the pressure on England by claiming there will be “no excuses” should they fail to return from Australia with the Ashes.
The England team leaves for Australia on Friday to begin their latest quest to win a Test series Down Under for the first time …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Vaughan says England will have no excuse not to win the Ashes.

Ashley ‘chases Cheryl Cole look-alike’

LONDON – It looks like Ashley Cole is eager to get a replacement for ex-wife Cheryl – and he may have found one by channel surfing on TV.

Canadian actress Jessica Lowndes, who stars in US teen show 90210, caught the Chelsea star’s eye during a string of telly appearances over the past week.

The actress … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ashley ‘chases Cheryl Cole look-alike’.

Cricket Australia launches its own IPL-style league

MELBOURNE – Cricket Australia (CA) Friday approved an eight-team Twenty20 league on the lines of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

CA’s chief executive officer James Sutherland said the board has approved a new Big Bash League to be launched in the 2011-12 season.
“It will be an eight-team competition, six of which will be coming … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Cricket Australia launches its own IPL-style league.

Neil Maxwell man behind securing Indian funding for Oz IPL-style T20 tournament

SYDNEY – Former New South Wales all-rounder Neil Maxwell has emerged as the mastermind behind Australia’s version of a Indian Premier League (IPL)-style Twenty20 tournament.

According to Fox Sports, Maxwell has been secretly working on the tournament for the past 18 months, and is the man responsible for securing over 60 million dollars in corporate support …. Read the original article  : Neil Maxwell man behind securing Indian funding for Oz IPL-style T20 tournament.

Rohan-Aisam duo enter St. Petersburg quarterfinals after ‘tough’ opening round

KARACHI – The tennis duo comprising Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan and Rohan Bopanna of India have entered the quarterfinals of St. Petersburg ATP World Rating Tennis Championship.

Though the Indo-Pak Express had to face tough resistance from the top Russian pair of Mikhail Youzhny and Sergiy Stakhovsky in the opening round, they emerged as winners after … Original article on : Rohan-Aisam duo enter St. Petersburg quarterfinals after ‘tough’ opening round.

Afridi says ‘complete failure’ of all batsmen behind T20 series ‘whitewash’ against SA

KARACHI – Pakistan’s One-day International and Twenty20 skipper Shahid Afridi has criticised himself and the entire batting line-up for failing to deliver in the T20 matches, causing his side’s 0-2 series defeat against South Africa in Abu Dhabi .

“Our batting was a major let down. None of them did well,” the Daily Times quoted Afridi, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Afridi says ‘complete failure’ of all batsmen behind T20 series ‘whitewash’ against SA.

‘No one’s ever going to replace Murali’, says Sri Lanka coach

SYDNEY – Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss has said that his team is fast approaching the end of an era as legendary spinner Muttiah Muralidaran gears up for his final tour of Australia.

Bayliss described Muralidaran as irreplaceable, and said that the 38-year-old was looking forward to his final tour of Australia.

“He loves coming to … Read more »».

Rooney, wife risked arrest with sizzling embrace in Dubai hotel pool

LONDON – Man United ace Wayne Rooney and wife Coleen risked arrest in Dubai as they made up with their sizzling embrace in a pool in their hotel.

Coleen wrapped her arms round her husband’s neck and pulled him close to her bikini-clad body in their palm-ringed hotel pool. Wayne responded by tenderly stroking her …. Original source  : Rooney, wife risked arrest with sizzling embrace in Dubai hotel pool.

Hughes sacked from Australia’s selection panel

MELBOURNE – Former fast bowler Merv Hughes was dropped as a selector as Cricket Australias (CA) board of directors Friday unanimously confirmed the composition of the National Selection Panel (NSP), with David Boon, Greg Chappell and Jamie Cox joining chairman Andrew Hilditch on the four-member panel.

The board reaffirmed its belief that four selectors was … Original source on Gaea Times at : Hughes sacked from Australia’s selection panel.

Called off, but Goa ODI in duplicate tickets row

PANAJI – The India-Australia one-day cricket match in Goa that was called off has nevertheless attracted controversy over allegations of tickets having been duplicated.

Washed out due to improper ground conditions following unseasonal rains, organizers of the Oct 24 ODI are now facing criticism, after a local TV news channel claimed Thursday that several duplicate … Original source on Gaea Times at : Called off, but Goa ODI in duplicate tickets row.

Oz cricketers body supports private ownership of domestic T20 teams

SYDNEY – Cash rich Indian consortia have reportedly indicated a keen interest to invest in domestic Twenty20 teams in Australia, even as the Australian Cricketers’ Association has come out in support of private ownership of these franchises.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the ACA has said that it has no objection to the principle of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Oz cricketers body supports private ownership of domestic T20 teams.

Proteas, Pak to focus on one-dayers ahead of World Cup in India

ABU DHABI – South Africa and Pakistan have shifted focus to the five-match one-day series starting here on Friday, as they see the event as ideal for next year’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Both captains-Graeme Smith and Shahid Afridi-have urged their teams to focus on the series, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

South Africa … Original article on : Proteas, Pak to focus on one-dayers ahead of World Cup in India.

Queensland skipper Hopes aims to remind Oz selectors about his talent

BRISBANE – Queensland skipper James Hopes will be out to give a not-so-subtle reminder to the Australian selectors after being a surprise omission from the one-day squad despite being a staple member of the side for the last three years.

Hopes plans to make his presence count when Queensland lines up against New South Wales in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Queensland skipper Hopes aims to remind Oz selectors about his talent.

Strauss tells players to declare ‘war’ against Aussies to emerge as ‘heroes’ in Ashes

LONDON – England captain Andrew Strauss has told his players to not be too friendly with the Australian side during next month’s Ashes series.

“Until the end of that fifth Test we have two sides at war with each other. Both sides know that at the end of the series there will be 11 guys that …. Source  : Strauss tells players to declare ‘war’ against Aussies to emerge as ‘heroes’ in Ashes.

Pak, SA hope UAE one-dayers will help them gear up for 2011 World Cup

ABU DHABI – South Africa and Pakistan are all set to gear up for next year’s World Cup with a five-match one-day series starting in the UAE today.

The Proteas are in top form after thrashing Pakistan in the two Twenty20 matches in a prelude to the 50-over matches, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

South Africa captain … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pak, SA hope UAE one-dayers will help them gear up for 2011 World Cup.