‘We are not in the business of targeting the Aussies’ says Strauss

PERTH – England skipper Andrew Strauss has said that his team won’t target Australia’s under-pressure players this summer despite labelling the upcoming Ashes series a war.

“I don’t know what his (Ponting’s) state of mind is but one thing I do know is we’re not in the business of targeting opposition players,” the Sydney Morning Herald …. Original article  : ‘We are not in the business of targeting the Aussies’ says Strauss.

Coleen Rooney’s bikini parade on ???30k holiday in Dubai

LONDON – Coleen and hubby Wayne Rooney have apparently spent 30,000 pounds on a holiday in Dubai-excluding the amount Coleen spent in swimwear boutiques for the six different bikinis she wore each day.

The mother-of-one has lounged by the pool at the seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel in a succession of trendy two pieces, with many … Read more : Coleen Rooney’s bikini parade on ???30k holiday in Dubai.

Cricket Australia to focus on luring women, kids to Big Bash 20-20 cricket

SYDNEY – Behind the glare of glitz, gloss and glamour that will almost certainly characterize the cash-infused 2011-12 Big Bash League, the bean counters at Cricket Australia will be fixated on two demographics – women and children.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the real powerbrokers of Australian sports are mothers, and the wise heads across …. Source article  : Cricket Australia to focus on luring women, kids to Big Bash 20-20 cricket.

Don’t kill off T20 golden goose, says Oz players’ body chief

SYDNEY – Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Paul Marsh has warned that the game’s administrators in the country should avoid an overkill of Twenty20 cricket in the aftermath of a landmark decision to open up domestic Twenty20 to private investors.

Marsh said that while he welcomed Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland’s announcement on Friday that the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Don’t kill off T20 golden goose, says Oz players’ body chief.

WAGs’ support is a ‘great kind of boost for England side’: Strauss

PERTH – England captain Andrew Strauss has admitted that the support of family members during crucial tournaments gives a ‘boost for the side’.

Strauss’ comment comes after England coach Andy Flower barred players from seeing their wives and girlfriends (WAGs) for the first five weeks of the tour to Australia.

It’s the first time that the players’ …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Struggling’ Afridi turns butcher to rake in moolah?

KARACHI – Pakistan’s One-day International and Twenty20 skipper Shahid Afridi, who is already under huge pressure because of his team’s continuous dismal performance against South Africa in the ongoing series, has now found himself dragged into another controversy over a sacrificial animals stall.

A news channel played up a report on Saturday that though Afridi was …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Struggling’ Afridi turns butcher to rake in moolah?.

Strauss expects ‘outstanding player’ Pietersen to shine during Ashes series

PERTH – England captain Andrew Strauss has backed batting star Kevin Pietersen to shine during next month’s tour of Australia.

Strauss said that he expects Pietersen to re-establish himself as one of the world’s most feared batsmen during the Ashes series.

“It is crucial. He is an outstanding player, he is one of, if not the best … Read : Strauss expects ‘outstanding player’ Pietersen to shine during Ashes series.

Strauss wants team not individual effort from England players

PERTH – England cricket captain Andrew Strauss has said that he is looking for a team rather than an individual effort from the squad when they take on the Australians in the Ashes here.

Facing the media soon after England’s 15-man squad arrived in Perth late yesterday, Strauss dismissed the notion that winning the five-Test series …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Strauss wants team not individual effort from England players.

Unbeaten home record won’t make Aussies complacent against Lankans: Clarke

PERTH – Vice-captain Michael Clarke has said that Australia’s record of never being beaten at home in a Twenty20 international will not affect the team’s preparation for tonight’s season-opening match against Sri Lanka.

Australia has won all 10 home matches. Pakistan and Zimbabwe are similarly unbeaten, albeit after only one match.

“It’s definitely an honour. I think …. Original source  : Unbeaten home record won’t make Aussies complacent against Lankans: Clarke.

England will feel Ashes statistical heat

MELBOURNE – With the exception of Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood, England will feel the statistical heat when it comes to a comparison of Ashes-related performances with Australia, says author David Sygall.

“Only Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood can boast better numbers against Australia in Australia than their overall statistics, proving that when the blowtorch is …. Source  : England will feel Ashes statistical heat.

‘Consistent’ Arsenal can win Premier League title: Wenger

LONDON – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims that his team’s late victory against West Ham United shows that they need to rise another level to win the Premier League title.

A brilliant header by Alex Song in the final minutes of the game made sure that Arsenal would keep championship leaders Chelsea under pressure.

The Gunners …. Original article  : ‘Consistent’ Arsenal can win Premier League title: Wenger.

Ancelotti relieved after late goal seals Chelsea win

LONDON – Chelsea fought back from a goal down to defeat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Ewood Park to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the English Premier League.

A goal six minutes from time by Branislav Ivanovic sealed the victory Saturday but manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted that his side was lucky to claim …. Original source  : Ancelotti relieved after late goal seals Chelsea win.

“I don’t see suspensions against Salman, Aamer being removed at this hearing”: Tauqir

KARACHI – Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Tauqir Zia believes the International Cricket Council (ICC) is in no mood to lift the provisional suspensions imposed on tainted players- Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer- at the ongoing hearing in Dubai.

“I don’t think the suspensions would be removed because it will than weaken the entire allegations …. Original article  : “I don’t see suspensions against Salman, Aamer being removed at this hearing”: Tauqir.

Ex-Oz PM Howard takes a dig at BCCI, says subcontinental cricket has problems

SYDNEY – Taking an indirect swipe at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for failing to endorse his candidacy for the post of vice-president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), former Australian prime minister Johan Howard today said: “there is a problem with the administration of cricket in some parts of the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ex-Oz PM Howard takes a dig at BCCI, says subcontinental cricket has problems.

Ex-Oz PM Howard says Ponting best Australian batsman since Bradman

SYDNEY – Former prime minister John Howard has said Test skipper Ricky Ponting has been Australia’s best batsman since Donald Bradman.

“It’s very, very hard to say any Australian batsman since Bradman has been better than Ricky Ponting. I think Ponting is a great batsman. I think he plays the hook shot brilliantly and I wish …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Ex-Oz PM Howard says Ponting best Australian batsman since Bradman.

Twenty20 has come as a boon, not a curse for spinners: Ex-Victoria stumper

MELBOURNE – Former Australian and Victoria wicketkeeper Darren Shane Berry believes that the introduction of Twenty20 cricket has reinvigorated the art of spin bowling.

In an article for the Sunday Age, Berry says contrary to the previous belief that Twenty20 cricket would be the death of spinners because of its frenetic pace, spinners have been given … Original article on : Twenty20 has come as a boon, not a curse for spinners: Ex-Victoria stumper.

Must improve Twenty20 performances to avoid selectors gun: Clarke

SYDNEY – Australia Twenty20 captain Michael Clarke has conceded that his batting form slump in the shortest format of the game could have him in the selectors’ gun sights.

Clarke averages little over 20 in Twenty20, and admits that he struggles to turn “30s into a big score”.

“After the Twenty20 World Cup, personally my performances weren’t …. Original source  : Must improve Twenty20 performances to avoid selectors gun: Clarke.

Verdict on appeals of Salman, Aamer against their suspensions by ICC expected today

DUBAI – The International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct Commission is expected to announce a decision on the appeals of tainted Pakistani players Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer against their provisional suspensions on Sunday (today).

Officials from the governing body of cricket said that the hearing would now conclude on Sunday, the Daily Times reported.

Earlier, the … Read : Verdict on appeals of Salman, Aamer against their suspensions by ICC expected today.

Team India to focus on upcoming series against Kiwis: Tendulkar

MUMBAI – Sachin Tendulkar on Saturday said the upcoming Test series against New Zealand is very important for the team from momentum building perspective before the 2011 World Cup.

Tendulkar said after the recent win against Australia, it is now time to focus on the New Zealand series.

“I would like to think about the next three …. Original article  : Team India to focus on upcoming series against Kiwis: Tendulkar.

Strauss vows to ‘grind Australia down’ to retain Ashes

PERTH – England captain Andrew Strauss has vowed that his side would grind the Ricky Ponting-lead Australia team down during the upcoming Ashes series.

The England team arrived in Australia on Saturday aiming to be the first team since Mike Gatting’ 1986-87 team to win the urn Down Under.

“Ultimately you have got to grind Australia down, … Read : Strauss vows to ‘grind Australia down’ to retain Ashes.