Sports News – Newsletter for November 11, 2010

Millionaire England footie captain Ferdinand is a secret bargain hunter

LONDON – Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he is a secret bargain hunter.

The 150,000-pound-a-week England captain’s favourite shopping destination is the cut-price Afflecks Palace in Manchester city centre.

The Daily Star quoted Rio, 32, as saying: “I’ve got a lot …. Original source  : Millionaire England footie captain Ferdinand is a secret bargain hunter.

To ensure drug-free Asian Games, China conducts 2000 doping tests

GUANGZHOU – To ensure a clean XVIth Asian Games here, the China Anti-Doping Agency has conducted nearly 2000 doping tests on Chinese athletes.

A total of 1950 tests, including 120 blood tests, have been conducted since August, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Every single one of … Original article on : To ensure drug-free Asian Games, China conducts 2000 doping tests.

Mitchell Johnson to play club cricket to regain form

SYDNEY – To regain his form ahead of the Ashes series, Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson will play first grade cricket for Western Australia side Wanneroo on Saturday before linking back up with the Warriors for their Sheffield Shield match.

Johnson has struggled …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mitchell Johnson to play club cricket to regain form.

England pacers have stolen Australia’s Ashes domination blueprint, says Broad

SYDNEY – England pacer Stuart Broad has said that he and his colleagues have stolen Australia’s blueprint for Ashes domination.

Broad said much of England’s pre-Ashes planning focused on the feats of seamer Stuart Clark, who was the chief destroyer in Australia’s 5-0 sweep in 2006/07, capturing 26 English wickets at an average of 17.

Broad said … Original article on : England pacers have stolen Australia’s Ashes domination blueprint, says Broad.

Harris stakes claim for first Ashes Test berth

SYDNEY – Australian pacer Ryan Harris, who is making a return from injury, has staked a claim for a first Ashes Test call-up taking 5-72 in a domestic fixture.

Queensland dismissed Tasmania for 196 in the Sheffield Shield match with the help of Harris’ five wickets haul.

Harris, returning from a knee injury, first took the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Harris stakes claim for first Ashes Test berth.

Harry Potter wants a break for the Ashes

MELBOURNE – Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is dreaming of spending Christmas in Australia so that he can watch England win the Ashes.

“We are going to beat you. I’m convinced. This is the best chance we’ve had in 40-50 years,” News.com.au quoted Radcliffe as telling the Herald Sun.

“There’s a slim chance I might come out … Read more »»».

ICC working with PCB and Haider to probe ‘fixing death threat’ incident: Lorgat

DUBAI – The International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has said that the governing body is helping the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to probe the Zulqarnain Haider incident.

Haider had disappeared from his team’s hotel in Dubai before the start of the fifth and final ODI against South Africa on Monday.

The 24-year-old later emerged …. Read the original article  : ICC working with PCB and Haider to probe ‘fixing death threat’ incident: Lorgat.

Haider’s exit to UK ‘embarrassing moment’ for Pakistan: Imran Khan

KARACHI – Former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan has said that wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider’s sudden exit to the United Kingdom to seek asylum was a “shameful” incident.

Haider has sensationally quit international cricket after he fled from Dubai to London on Monday. The 24-year-old has claimed that he had received death threats from bookmakers after he refused … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Haider’s exit to UK ‘embarrassing moment’ for Pakistan: Imran Khan.

England’s new pace sensation Finn was 24 hrs away from dumping cricket for studies

SYDNEY – England’s latest pace sensation Steven Finn has said that he almost quit a promising cricket career to pursue university studies.

He decided to read sports science at the university, but destiny had other things in store for him, and three years later he is into his debut Ashes series as part of England’s bowling …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : England’s new pace sensation Finn was 24 hrs away from dumping cricket for studies.

Collingwood eyes big innings in South Australia match to secure place for Gabba Test

LONDON – England batsman Paul Collingwood, who knows his place in the team could come under threat again, wants to play another big innings in the South Australia match, which would ease his concerns.

Collingwood’s last five Test inning scores have been 1, 28, 5, 3 and 0, and for the first time since his career-saving … Read more : Collingwood eyes big innings in South Australia match to secure place for Gabba Test.

Alam defends Pak team management over Haider’s exit to UK

DUBAI – Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam has played down talks that the management knew about wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider’s decision to leave the team’s hotel or that he had received threats from bookmakers.

Haider has sensationally quit international cricket after he fled from Dubai to London on Monday. The 24-year-old has claimed that he had received [..] Read the original article: here.

Tendulkar named ICC’s ambassador for 2011 World Cup

DUBAI – The International Cricket Council today announced the appointment of Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar as the official event ambassador for the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

With exactly 100 days to go, Tendulkar in his role as ambassador will be called upon to promote and support a variety of ICC initiatives for the World …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Tendulkar named ICC’s ambassador for 2011 World Cup.

Dave Niehaus Passes Away

SEATTLE (GaeaTimes.com)- Legendary Seattle Mariners sportscaster Dave Niehaus passed away on Wednesday, November 10. The 75 year old veteran’s family confirmed that the cause of death was a heart attack. The Niehaus family has asked for privacy from the media at the difficult time.
With the news of Dave Niehaus death spreading on the web, …. Read the original article  : here.

Monitor all cricketers’ phone calls , Haider tell ICC

LONDON – Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has said the International Cricket Council (ICC) should monitor call phone records of all professional cricketers to weed out match-fixing.

Haider, who fled from Dubai after he was threatened by some match-fixers, said the ICC will need to start monitoring the phone conversations of all international players and … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Monitor all cricketers’ phone calls , Haider tell ICC.

‘Willing’ women give Tiger Woods ‘come on over’ calls at Oz Masters!

SYDNEY – Sex-scandal hit golfer Tiger Woods was taunted by two ladies during the opening round of the Australian Masters at Victoria Golf Club.

The two women, dressed in white tops, skirts and sun visors with their mobile phone numbers on them, caught 34-year-old Woods’ attention as walked from the 15th tee, the sixth hole for [..] Read the original article: here.

Mark Waugh says Ponting will have win Ashes to keep Oz skipper’s job

SYDNEY – Former Australian middle-order batsman Mark Waugh believes that if Ricky Ponting loses a third Ashes series to England, his days as captain are numbered.

Ponting goes into his fourth Test series with England in charge of the Baggy Greens with one victory and two defeats to his name.

Only Billy Murdoch and Percy McDonnell have … Original source on Gaea Times at : Mark Waugh says Ponting will have win Ashes to keep Oz skipper’s job.

Kiwi opener McIntosh wants to settle scores with India’s Zak in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD – New Zealand opening batsman Tim McIntosh says that he has a score to settle with rival Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan and a point to prove to himself when the second cricket test between the two countries starts here on Friday.

“I’m actually looking forward to confronting him again. I want to get one …. Read the original article  : Kiwi opener McIntosh wants to settle scores with India’s Zak in Hyderabad.

Swann will be trump card in England’s Ashes victory: Botham

SYDNEY – England cricket legend Sir Ian Botham tipped the visitors to win the five-Test series against Australia by at least two matches, and said off-spinner Graeme Swann will be the key player during the Ashes.

Botham, who was part of the last English side to win an Ashes series on Australian soil in 1986-87, said …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Swann will be trump card in England’s Ashes victory: Botham.

Sneijder needs rest to recover from anaemia

ROME – Inter Milan’s Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder appears set for a period of rest after being diagnosed with anaemia.

The 26-year-old footballer told Dutch daily newspaper De Telegraaf that he underwent a cardiological test in Italy after a fainting fit he had last weekend during the break of a Serie A game.
“I then … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sneijder needs rest to recover from anaemia.

Rehab Woods out to prove his game in Australia

SYDNEY – Tiger Woods justified his ranking as the world’s second-best golfer Thursday with a workmanlike 2-under-par 69 in the first round of his Australian Masters title defence in Melbourne.

“It could easily have been 4-, 5-, 6-under-par today, but I’m right there,” Woods said. “I’m only four back as of now.”
“I … Original source on Gaea Times at : Rehab Woods out to prove his game in Australia.