Sports News – Newsletter for November 17, 2010

Hauritz denies being ‘unavailable’ for 2009 Ashes-deciding Test

SYDNEY – Australian off-spinner Nathan Hauritz has denied rumours that he had declared himself unavailable for the 2009 Ashes-deciding Test at The Oval.

According to reports, the reasons for Hauritz’s alleged no-show ranged from a sore foot to a full-blown nervous breakdown.

“I have never made myself unavailable for a game of …. Read the original article  : Hauritz denies being ‘unavailable’ for 2009 Ashes-deciding Test.

Branson to work as air hostess on AirAsia flight

KUALA LUMPUR – Virgin Atlantic boss Richard Branson will don a striking red skirt and play a stewardess on a rival airline AirAsia flight after he lost a bet with the company’s owner.

Branson lost a friendly bet to AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes as his Formula One Virgin Racing team ended behind Lotus Racing in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Branson to work as air hostess on AirAsia flight.

Asian Games hockey: India pummel Bangladesh 9-0

GUANGZHOU – Ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh struck four goals as India warmed up for arch-rivals Pakistan with a 9-0 demolition of Bangladesh in their second men’s hockey group B match at the Asian Games here Wednesday.

Sandeep converted four of his five penalty corners (13th minute, 47, 63, 66), and Tushar Khandekar (2, 39) slotted … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Asian Games hockey: India pummel Bangladesh 9-0.

Australia ‘A’ game against England best opportunity for Ashes call-up: White

SYDNEY – Australian all-rounder Cameron White believes that youngsters have no better opportunity to stake their claims for Ashes selection than by excelling in the ongoing four-day match against England.

White is currently the captain of the Australia ‘A’ team facing England at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval.

“Five Test matches are a long time. …. Read the original article  : here.

Border’s “cheeky Empire XI” dig at England’s overseas players

SYDNEY – Taking a dig at the England team, former Australian skipper Allan Border has said that the Ashes rivals look more like the “Empire XI” due to their overseas-born players.

Amongst the squad, skipper Andrew Strauss is South African-born along with Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott while left-handed batsman Eoin Morgan is Irish.

“England are sailing …. Original source  : Border’s “cheeky Empire XI” dig at England’s overseas players.

Border backs besieged Hussey, North to lift their game

SYDNEY – Former Australian skipper Allan Border has backed besieged batsmen Mike Hussey and Marcus North to lift their game against England

Critics had claimed that the Australian selectors uncertainty ensures that there are now major question marks over the likes of Hussey, North and Nathan Hauritz ahead of the Ashes opener in Brisbane.

Hussey, 35, and … Original article on : Border backs besieged Hussey, North to lift their game.

England aims to win all matches in Australia, not just Ashes Tests: Gooch

SYDNEY – England’s assistant coach Graham Gooch has said that his team is treating their warm-up games ahead of the Ashes series against Australia as a three-match series.

“We’re here to beat any Australian side put up against us. We’re not here to practice batting and bowling. If you play to win, invariably you get what … Read : England aims to win all matches in Australia, not just Ashes Tests: Gooch.

Australia’s middle order ‘cup of woe runneth over’

SYDNEY – Australia’s middle-order concerns ahead of the Ashes series are no closer to resolution following Michael Hussey, Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson’s cheap dismissals in their state games.

Playing for Western Australia, Hussey registered an 18-ball duck on the first day of the Sheffield Shield match against Victorian Bushrangers at the MCG, the Sydney …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Australia’s middle order ‘cup of woe runneth over’.

Asian Games: Indira Gowda loses in 8-ball pool prequarters

GUANGZHOU – It turned out to be another uneventful day for India in cue sports as Indira Gowda lost 4-5 to Thuy Vi Duon of Vietnam in the pre-quarterfinals of the women’s 8-ball pool singles event at the Asian Games here Wednesday.

Indira was the only Indian cueist competing Wednesday.
India so far have … Read more : Asian Games: Indira Gowda loses in 8-ball pool prequarters.

Cairns gets court’s nod to pursue Twitter libel case against Lalit Modi

LONDON – Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns has won court approval to advance his Twitter libel case against former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi.

Cairns had alleged that a Twitter message posted by Modi accusing him of match-fixing was libellous.

According to Stuff.co.nz, the Queen’s bench division of the High Court in London has [..] Read the original article: here.

Johnson burdened by ‘leader of the pack’ tag: Buchanan

SYDNEY – Out of form pacer Mitchell Johnson, who has long been considered as Australia’s main attack bowler in Tests, has been burdened with the “leader of the pack” tag, which is behind his inconsistence performance, according to former coach John Buchanan.

Johnson has hit a worrying form slump before the Ashes series, struggling to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Johnson burdened by ‘leader of the pack’ tag: Buchanan.

Hauritz’ duel with Ponting in Sheffield Shield match could decide his Ashes fate

SYDNEY – Australian skipper Ricky Ponting will be in better condition to decide on spinner Nathan Hauritz’s fate when the two face each other in New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania, starting on Wednesday at the SCG.

Ponting’s bat could bring an end Hauritz’s Ashes hopes should the spinner, who is in a duel … Read : Hauritz’ duel with Ponting in Sheffield Shield match could decide his Ashes fate.

Nothing tastes sweeter than Ashes success: Gooch

SYDNEY – England batting coach Graham Gooch has said that playing against Australia is the ultimate challenge and nothing tastes sweeter than Ashes success.

“English and Australian cricket players get on pretty well. But do they want to beat each other bad? They want to beat each other real bad. They don’t mind shaking hands afterwards …. Source article  : Nothing tastes sweeter than Ashes success: Gooch.

Styris, Jamie How recalled for ODI series against India

HYDERABAD – New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris and batsman Jamie How have been recalled to be part of the 15-man New Zealand team for the first five-match ODI series against India.

Styris will make a comeback after missing the recent ODI series against Bangladesh due to a partial stress fracture of the back, while How will …. Read the original article  : Styris, Jamie How recalled for ODI series against India.

‘Born again’ Johnson desperate to make up for ‘unfinished business’ with England

SYDNEY – Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson insists that he is ready to “knock over” England batsmen when the first Ashes Test begins in Brisbane on November 25.

Johnson was ridiculed for his performance in the 2009 Ashes series in England, where he took 20 wickets at an average of 32.55.

“I really have unfinished business with … Read more : ‘Born again’ Johnson desperate to make up for ‘unfinished business’ with England.

Greatbatch hails McCullum for his match saving double century against India

HYDERABAD – New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch has hailed opening batsman Brendon McCullum for his double century in the Hyderabad Test, which helped the visitors ensure a second successive draw against the world’s No.1 ranked Test team, India.

McCullum, who opened only for the second time in his Test career, scored a brilliant 225 to …. Source  : Greatbatch hails McCullum for his match saving double century against India.

Asian Games sepaktakraw: Indian men’s and women’s team lose to China

GUANGZHOU – Indian men went down fighting 1-2 and the women lost 0-3 to China in the preliminary stages of the Sepaktakraw team event at the Asian Games here Wednesday.

In the women’s event, the hosts proved too strong for India, winning all three sets comfortably.
India now play Malaysia in the men’s event and …. Read the original article  : here.

India decimate Bangladesh 9-0 in hockey, Khade falters in 100m freestyle (Afternoon Lead)

GUANGZHOU – The Indian men’s hockey team decimated Bangladesh 9-0 Wednesday during an otherwise disappointing morning on the fifth day of competitions at the Asian Games.

Swimmer Virdhaval Khade, who won a historic bronze medal Tuesday, won the third heat in the 100 metres freestyle event but failed to qualify for the finals.
Arvind Bhat … Original source on Gaea Times at : India decimate Bangladesh 9-0 in hockey, Khade falters in 100m freestyle (Afternoon Lead).

Asian Games hockey: Indian men beat Bangladesh 9-0

GUANGZHOU – India pummelled Bangladesh 9-0 in their second group B match of men’s hockey at the Asian Games here Wednesday.

Sandeep Singh converted four penalty corners, Tushar Khandekar slotted two goals, while Shivendra Singh, Raj Pal Singh and Dharamvir Singh scored one each. India were leading 3-0 in the breather.
India had defeated Hong … Read : Asian Games hockey: Indian men beat Bangladesh 9-0.

ICC clears tainted Pak players Butt, Akmal of T20 World Cup spot-fixing charges

LAHORE – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly cleared two Pakistani cricketers, Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal, from all charges related to their alleged involvement in a spot fixing scandal during 2010 Twenty-20 World Cup, a TV channel reported on Tuesday.

According to the channel, the Anti-Corruption Unit of the ICC investigated the charges, the … Original source on Gaea Times at : ICC clears tainted Pak players Butt, Akmal of T20 World Cup spot-fixing charges.