Sports News – Newsletter for November 4, 2010

England will use build-up matches to harden minds, bodies for Ashes: Strauss

PERTH – Captain Andrew Strauss has said England will play their build-up matches like Tests to harden their minds and bodies for The Ashes.

“The last thing we want to do is approach them like warm-up games. We’re trying to do our preparation as close to a Test match as we can. We want to hit … Original source on Gaea Times at : England will use build-up matches to harden minds, bodies for Ashes: Strauss.

England’s Barmy Army reduced to a battalion in Australia ahead of Ashes

PERTH – England’s Barmy Army will be reduced to a battalion this winter because Australia has become ultra-expensive.

Around 40,000 supporters flew Down Under four years ago when England were thrashed 5-0 in The Ashes, but organisers expect about half that number this time.

According to The Sun, the problem is the strength of the Aussie dollar …. Read the original article  : England’s Barmy Army reduced to a battalion in Australia ahead of Ashes.

Ind vs NZ: India Start Well

AHMEDABAD, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The first test between India and New Zealand is underway and it looks like New Zealand’s hope of making a great comeback after the Bangladesh disaster is a long way off. Standing between the Kiwis and their hope for a return to form is Virender Sehwag. Getting off to a solid …. Original article  : Ind vs NZ: India Start Well.

Punjab pacifies CWG medallists with prize money hike

CHANDIGARH – Facing resentment of players over being payed much lesser amounts than their counterparts in Haryana, the Punjab government Thursday hiked the prize money for the Commonwealth Games medallists from the state.

“Gold medallists will be rewarded with Rs.16 lakh, while silver and bronze medallists will receive Rs.11 lakh and Rs.6 lakh respectively,” an … Read : Punjab pacifies CWG medallists with prize money hike.

Kirsten gets the ‘Wright’ stuff for Indian coaching

AHMEDABAD – The Indian cricket team’s South African coach Gary Kirsten credits former New Zealand captain and ex-coach John Wright for providing him with insights on how to approach one of the toughest and most demanding jobs in the game.

Before accepting the post in early 2008, Kirsten pored over “John Wright’s Indian Summers”, a book …. Read the original article  : Kirsten gets the ‘Wright’ stuff for Indian coaching.

Spot-fixing shadow not hampering Pak’s performance in South Africa ODI series: Afridi

DUBAI – Pakistan ODI skipper Shahid Afridi has dismissed suggestions that the recent ’spot-fixing’ allegations were behind his team’s poor performance in the ongoing series against South Africa.

Pakistan currently trails the five-match series, being played in the United Arab Emirates, 2-1.

“I don’t think so that the spot-fixing issue has anything to do with our performance. … Original article on : Spot-fixing shadow not hampering Pak’s performance in South Africa ODI series: Afridi.

Aussies need to start playing cricket to stop speculation of calamity: Roebuck

SYDNEY – Calamity has befallen Australian cricket, and according to columnist Peter Roebuck, Australia needs to start playing cricket to stop the orgy of speculation observed of late.

In a write-up for the Sydney Morning Herald, Roebuck said: “Reporters and captains alike were left scratching their heads as an amazed and boisterous crowd waved a thousand … Original source on Gaea Times at : Aussies need to start playing cricket to stop speculation of calamity: Roebuck.

Ferguson called into Australia one-day team

SYDNEY – South Australian Callum Ferguson, who scored a blazing century against Western Australian last week, has been called into the Australian one-day squad for the rest of the one-day series with Sri Lanka.

He comes into the squad in place of left-hand batsman Shaun Marsh, who injured his back in Wednesday night’s one-wicket loss to … Read : Ferguson called into Australia one-day team.

Lalit Modi says has no plans to return to India to answer corruption charges

LONDON – Former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi has stressed at a London conference that he was not hiding, but would not consider returning to India to answer corruption charges.

According to the BBC, during a rare public appearance at the International Sports Event Management Conference in London to discuss the future of Indian sport, Modi, … Read more »»».

Suspended Pak trio should approach CAS to get spot-fixing clean chit: Sarfraz Nawaz

ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistani bowler Sarfraz Nawaz has urged suspended Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif to take their cases to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The trio were suspended in September after a British tabloid alleged that they were involved in ’spot-fixing’ the Lord’s Test against England in August.

Butt and …. Source article  : Suspended Pak trio should approach CAS to get spot-fixing clean chit: Sarfraz Nawaz.

North denies rumours of replacing Ponting as Test skipper

MELBOURNE – Marcus North has denied speculation about him replacing Ricky Ponting as Australia’s next Test captain.

North, who will captain Western Australia against England in a three-day tour match starting today in Perth, woke up to speculative reports that vice-captain Michael Clarke was unpopular within the team and would not be considered as Pomting’s …. Read the original article  : here.

Oz selectors have put Ashes campaign in jeopardy: Slater

MELBOURNE – Former opener Michael Slater has said the Australian selectors failure to take tough decisions has put the team’s Ashes campaign in serious jeopardy.

He said the selectors were responsible for some monumental blunders, including the retention of out-of-form batsman Mike Hussey.

Slater also further said the selectors’ have become obsessed with sticking with a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Cricket South Africa to probe revelations in Gibbs autobiography

SYDNEY – The legal team of Cricket South Africa will look into a host of damaging allegations made in a controversial autobiography released by out of form opener Herschelle Gibbs this week.

The veteran opener made several startling revelations in the book entitled “To the Point”, chief among which were his sexual escapades while on tour … Original source on Gaea Times at : Cricket South Africa to probe revelations in Gibbs autobiography.

Domenech sues French Football Federation over dismissal

PARIS – Raymond Domenech is seeking 2.9 million euros in compensation from the French Football Federation (FFF) following his dismissal as France coach by the FFF, his lawyer confirmed.

Jean-Yves Connesson told L’Equipe newspaper Wednesday that the 58-year-old’s sacking was against French labour law and that his client wanted his rights respected.
Domenech was fired …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bayern, Chelsea win in Champions League, Marseille hit seven

BERLIN – Bayern Munich and Chelsea both booked their places in the knockout phases of the Champions League football with victories but the result of the night was in Slovakia as Olympique Marseille put seven goals past hapless MSK Zilina.

Real Madrid looked to have also assured themselves of a place in the next phase …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Sehwag gives India a blistering start (Lunch report)

AHMEDABAD – Virender Sehwag gave India a blistering start against New Zealand as the hosts scored 127 for one at lunch on the opening day of the first cricket Test here Thursday.

Sehwag looked poised for another Test hundred and was batting at 87, and had Rahul Dravid (12 batting) for company. Sehwag’s knock …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sehwag gives India a blistering start (Lunch report).

Lunch scoreboard: India vs New Zealand, first Test, Day 1

AHMEDABAD – The following is the lunch scoreboard on the opening day of the first Test between India and New Zealand here Thursday:

India (first innngs):
Gautam Gambhir b Ryder 21
Virender Sehwag batting 87
Rahul Dravid batting 12
Extras: (b-4, lb-1, nb-2) … Original article on : Lunch scoreboard: India vs New Zealand, first Test, Day 1.

Scandal-hit Rooney to get a Guy Fawkes bonfire greeting

LONDON – A bonfire society has revealed that it plans to give scandal-hit Manchester United star Wayne Rooney a Guy Fawkes bonfire greeting over the weekend.

Rooney has been cast in the form of the animated ogre Shrek. The 49-foot-tall steel-framed structure will go up in flames at Edenbridge Bonfire Society’s annual parade and display on …. Original source  : Scandal-hit Rooney to get a Guy Fawkes bonfire greeting.

ICC asks suspended Pak players to be cautious over statements

LAHORE – The International Cricket Council has directed Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Amir to be cautious in giving statements regarding their suspension over the ’spot-fixing’ scandal.

Amir’s lawyer Shahid Karim said that the ICC response is right, and insisted that the players would ensure that their final hearing is not affected … Original source on Gaea Times at : ICC asks suspended Pak players to be cautious over statements.

Oz inability to destroy opposing teams a serious issue: Clarke

LONDON – Stand in skipper Michael Clarke has said that inability to destroy opposing teams is becoming a serious issue for the Australian team.

Clarke was at loss of words after Sri Lanka staged one of the great comebacks, setting up a one-wicket win with 34 balls left in their opening one-day international in Melbourne. …. Source  : Oz inability to destroy opposing teams a serious issue: Clarke.