Sports News – Newsletter for November 2, 2010

Bid for CWG was secretive, hasty: RTI query

NEW DELHI – The decision to bid for the just concluded 19th Commonwealth Games (CWG) was taken secretively and hurriedly before the then youth affairs and sports minister Vikram Verma left for an overseas trip in May 2003, a right to information (RTI) query has revealed.

The RTI plea was filed by Housing and Land …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Bid for CWG was secretive, hasty: RTI query.

Sir Jackie Stewart: I was millimetres away from a life of violence

EDINBURGH – Racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart has admitted he was “millimetres” away from a life of crime because of crippling dyslexia which, even today, leaves him unable to fill in a drivers’ licence application form.

The Formula One star, originally from Dumbarton, yesterday admitted he still struggles with the learning difficulty.

Speaking in Edinburgh’s Central Library … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sir Jackie Stewart: I was millimetres away from a life of violence.

Melbourne ODI could be marred by Cup, bad weather, poor Oz player form

MELBOURNE – The Melbourne Cup, bad weather and the poor form of the Australian cricketers will have cricket officials nervous before Wednesday’s one-dayer at the MCG.

The crowd figure is likely to be low as Australia try to end their international losing streak when they host Sri Lanka at the start of a three-match series.

According to …. Read the original article  : Melbourne ODI could be marred by Cup, bad weather, poor Oz player form.

CA boss Sutherland says big-name stars will front new-look Big Bash

MELBOURNE – Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland has said the country’s biggest names may not be free to play in the format’s first season, but are expected to join the revolution beyond its 2011-12 debut.

Sutherland also declared big-name signings from around the globe a priority.

“Australian players probably won’t be available in the first stage but … Original source on Gaea Times at : CA boss Sutherland says big-name stars will front new-look Big Bash.

Lehmann backs Ferguson to make Test grade

SYDNEY – Former Test batsman Darren Lehmann says that rising South Australian batsman Callum Ferguson wouldn’t disappoint if he was called up by Australia for this summer’s Ashes.

Ferguson struck a well-made 129 of a 140-od balls in a Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australia at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Lehmann, who played 27 Tests, said 25-year-old … Original article on : Lehmann backs Ferguson to make Test grade.

I’m not a casualty of Bangladesh debacle, says resigned Kiwi cricket GM Allott

AUCKLAND – New Zealand Cricket’s General Manager Geoff Allott has said that he has not resigned from his post over the Black Caps’ recent embarrassing 0-4 ODI series loss to Bangladesh.I appreciate the connection that will be made timing-wise. I’m not a casualty. I think it came as a surprise to Justin [Chief Executive Justin …. Original article  : I’m not a casualty of Bangladesh debacle, says resigned Kiwi cricket GM Allott.

Prior has cemented his place as England’s top keeper

PERTH – Matt Prior has cemented his place as England’s No 1 wicketkeeper with a number of impressive displays.

Being a world-class keeper and decent batsman is not enough for England, as the outstanding Essex wicketkeeper James Foster has discovered.

Keepers must aspire, unlike the specialist batsman or bowler, to be a master of all trades. …. Source  : Prior has cemented his place as England’s top keeper.

Curator says green top ‘possible’ again for Ashes opener at the Gabba

BRISBANE – Gabba curator Kevin Mitchell has said that it is quite possible to create a green top agains for the first Ashes Test against England, which begins from November 25.

He was speaking after Queensland suffered an humiliating Sheffield Shield loss on Monday.

Queensland lost 18-131 within two sessions on Monday as a Mark Cameron-inspired New …. Source article  : Curator says green top ‘possible’ again for Ashes opener at the Gabba.

Federer advances easily at home as opponent retires hurt

BASEL – Top seed Roger Federer reached the second round of Swiss Indoors tennis as opponent Aleksandr Dolgopolov was unable to finish after rolling an ankle in a 6-4, 5-2, 15-15 loss.

Federer, a three-time champion at the event where he got his start in the game as a teenaged ballboy, was serving for …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Federer advances easily at home as opponent retires hurt.

Federer to start 2011 in Abu Dhabi with Nadal

BASEL – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will begin their 2011 season campaigns at the Abu Dhabi exhibition tennis that the Spaniard won last January.

Federer, competing this week at his home Swiss Indoors, will line up alongside his world number one Spanish rival in the Gulf for the third time in as many years.
…. Source article  : Federer to start 2011 in Abu Dhabi with Nadal.

Aussies to use ODI series against Lankans to repair dented confidence

MELBOURNE – Australia will attempt to use their upcoming three-game one-day cricket series against Sri Lanka to rebuild their dented confidence ahead of this summer’s Ashes series.

Having lost to the Lankans in Perth on Sunday night, the fourth straight defeat in the T20 format, Australia take on Sri Lanka in the 50-over format at the …. Source article  : Aussies to use ODI series against Lankans to repair dented confidence.

England will thrive on Aussie taunts during Ashes series: Broad

PERTH – Right-arm fast bowler Stuart Broad has said that he and his other England team-mates will thrive on any Australian taunts that come their way during the Ashes.

Declaring that the visitors have nothing to fear despite their woeful record Down Under, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Broad, as saying: “I’d expect the Aussies to …. Read the original article  : England will thrive on Aussie taunts during Ashes series: Broad.

Not interested in being used for fixing Oz middle order malaise: Watson

SYDNEY – Australian opener Shane Watson has said that he does not want to be used as a fix for Australia’s middle-order malaise.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Watson has told senior figures within the Australian set-up that he sees his future as an opener, but stressed he had not been asked to move to … Read more >>>.

Hauritz still sees need for spinner at ‘green top’ Gabba

SYDNEY – Australian off-spinner Nathan Hauritz remains convinced that the selectors will opt for a spinner in the first Ashes Test against England to be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from November 25 despite yesterday’s pace onslaught on a Gabba green top that yielded 29 of 30 wickets for the quicks.

Hauritz, the stand-in New … Read more >>>.

England will strive for perfect balance during Ashes: Broad

BRISBANE – Right-arm fast bowler Stuart Broad has said England will strive for the perfect balance between work and play during the Ashes tour

After two days in Australia, Andrew Strauss’s team has undertaken two training sessions, the first gentle, the second thorough. Both were complemented, for about half the squad, by afternoon visits to … Original source on Gaea Times at : England will strive for perfect balance during Ashes: Broad.

PCB chief Butt says Test batsmen who need coaching don’t deserve to be selected

LAHORE – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt has said that he is not in favour of appointing a full-time batting coach for the national team.

Butt’s comment comes after PCB’s Governing Council met on Monday to decide if a batting coach was needed for the team or not.

“When a player (batsman) comes …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : PCB chief Butt says Test batsmen who need coaching don’t deserve to be selected.

Smith feels for ‘home game’ deprived Pak fans

DUBAI – South African skipper Graeme Smith has said that he feels for Pakistani cricket fans who have been deprived of watching action on their grounds because of security fears.

Leading cricket teams have refused to visit Pakistan following last year’s terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team bus, which has forced the Pakistan Cricket Board … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Smith feels for ‘home game’ deprived Pak fans.

“Ashes-just a ‘warm-up’ before 2011 Test series against ‘champs’ India,” jibes Michael Vaughan

LONDON – Former England captain Michael Vaughan has ribbed the Aussies by saying that the Ashes are a “warm-up” before the 2011 Test series against India.

“This winter is looking like being a warm-up for next summer when we will play the number one team India,” he tweeted.

According to Fox News, overcome with excitement at the … Read : “Ashes-just a ‘warm-up’ before 2011 Test series against ‘champs’ India,” jibes Michael Vaughan.

Suspended Butt, Amir accuse ICC of ‘conspiracy to defame Pakistan cricket’

LAHORE – Suspended Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir have accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) of having an anti-Pakistan agenda after their suspensions for alleged ’spot-fixing’ were upheld.

The ICC’s code of conduct commission, headed by Michael Beloff, upheld the suspensions of Butt, Amir and teammate Mohammad Asif on Sunday after a two-day … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Suspended Butt, Amir accuse ICC of ‘conspiracy to defame Pakistan cricket’.

Ponting to skip first Lanka ODI to attend grandmother’s funeral

MELBOURNE – Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has decided to skip Wednesday’s opening ODI against Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to attend his grandmother’s funeral.

Ponting said that he would travel to his home town of Launceston in Tasmania for his grandmother’s funeral following her death last weekend.

“I will be flying out tomorrow morning …. Read the original article  : Ponting to skip first Lanka ODI to attend grandmother’s funeral.