Sports News – Newsletter for November 18, 2010

Oz Ashes disaster looms as batsmen crumble in domestic games ahead of opener

SYDNEY – Members of Australia’s 17-man provisional Ashes squad, who are taking part in domestic games, have ended up with failures ahead of the first Ashes Test, starting in Brisbane from November 25.

Playing for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield, captain Ricky Ponting was caught behind for seven off the bowling of New South Wales’ Trent … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Oz Ashes disaster looms as batsmen crumble in domestic games ahead of opener.

Coach Rafa Benitez future at Inter ‘on the line’

LONDON – Inter boss Rafa Benitez’s future is “on the line” according to reports in Italy.

According to The Sun, Benitez was called to an emergency meeting and club sources say he is for the chop unless results pick up.
The team are fifth in Serie A, six points behind city rivals AC Milan who beat …. Source article  : Coach Rafa Benitez future at Inter ‘on the line’.

Asian Games squash: Dipika, Joshna storm into quarters

GUANGZHOU – India’s Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal began their women’s singles campaign in style, scoring comfortable victories to enter the quarterfinals of the squash competition at the Asian Games here Thursday.

Dipika, ranked 36 and a place above Joshna in the world rankings, defeated Jinyue Gu of China 11-4, 12-10, 11-1 in the opening … Read : Asian Games squash: Dipika, Joshna storm into quarters.

Asian Games TT: Indian challenge ends as Sharath knocked out

GUANGZHOU – India’s challenge in the table tennis event at the 16th Asian Games here ended Thursday as Sharath Kamal and Anthony Amalraj lost in the men’s singles pre-quarterfinals.

The result was similar in the women’s singles with Shamini Kumaresan going down fighting to Japanese Sayaka Hirano 7-11, 5-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 7-11 in the … Read more >>>.

India trump Argentina in Buenos Aires polo match

BUENOS AIRES – India emerged victorious against Argentina in a match organised by the Indian embassy here, bringing the curtains down on the Festival of India.

The friendly match was held Tuesday as a grand finale to the Third Festival of India that was held Nov 4-16.
The festival included dance and music performances, seminars, …. Read the original article  : India trump Argentina in Buenos Aires polo match.

30,000 expected to run in Delhi half-marathon

NEW DELHI – Around 30,000 participants, including some of the world’s best long-distance runners, will hit the road Sunday morning, running for a whopping $210,000 prize money in what is now one of India’s most prestigious sporting events – the Delhi Half-Marathon.

The 21-km race has created a pulsating rhythm among the capital’s running fraternity. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 30,000 expected to run in Delhi half-marathon.

Debt ridden Barca loses hope of snaring Fabregas

LONDON – Barcelona FC’s chances of attracting Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas have receded after it was revealed that the club is 400 million pounds in debt – the biggest in the club’s history.

The Arsenal captain was close to rejoining Barca this summer. The Gunners held on to the Spanish star and it was widely expected … Read more »»».

Champions League final in Barcelona is Fergie’s favourite match

LONDON – Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson has said that the Champions League final in Barcelona would always be his favourite match.

“People say we were lucky with two goals in injury-time but it epitomised the character of the team – no surrender, perseverance, and that’s how we won it,” The Sun quoted Ferguson, as …. Read the original article  : Champions League final in Barcelona is Fergie’s favourite match.

‘Magnificent’ Ponting sailing Oz Ashes ship on his own: Botham

SYDNEY – Former England all-rounder Ian Botham insists that a third Ashes series defeat out of four against England for Australian captain Ricky Ponting would not be his fault.

Botham had earlier stoked the rivalry between England and Australia by claiming that the Andrew Strauss-led team would “stuff” their rivals in the upcoming series.

Australia … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Magnificent’ Ponting sailing Oz Ashes ship on his own: Botham.

England’s second-string bowlers up to grab Ashes slots: Tremlett

SYDNEY – England fast bowler Chris Tremlett believes that his team’s second-string bowlers have proved a point in their ongoing four-day warm-up match against Australia ‘A’.

Tremlett claimed 4-54, Ajmal Shahzad (3-57) and Tim Bresnan (2-65) as the tourists dismissed Australia’s rising stars for 230 runs in their first innings at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval on Wednesday. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : England’s second-string bowlers up to grab Ashes slots: Tremlett.

Now, salsa lessons from soccer star Nobby Solano

LONDON – Reports are abuzz that footballer Nobby Solano is using his nifty footwork to give dancing lessons in a pub.

The Peruvian soccer star recently helped set up a salsa class after moving to a village when he signed for Hull City.

The Latin winger stunned the locals when he turned up at the … Read : Now, salsa lessons from soccer star Nobby Solano.

‘Club is dead if footballer becomes more important than manager’: Fergie

LONDON – Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he told the directors of the club more than 15 years ago that the most important person at Manchester United was the manager. No one is more important.

“The minute a footballer becomes more important than the manager, your club is dead. The history goes … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Club is dead if footballer becomes more important than manager’: Fergie.

FA centre at Burton, the biggest step England has taken in 30 years: Fergie

LONDON – The Football Association’s (FA) to set up a center for producing young players in Burton, is probably the biggest step England has taken in the last 30 years, said Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

“We don’t get the kind of player through that we used to because we don’t have the platform to …. Original source  : FA centre at Burton, the biggest step England has taken in 30 years: Fergie.

‘There is nothing wrong with losing your temper,’ says Fergie

LONDON – Manchester United coach-cum-manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said that he sees nothing wrong in losing his temper with his players, and on occasion, throwing teacups to make his point.

“There is nothing wrong with losing your temper if it’s for the right reasons. My reasons were always about not reaching a certain standard. Then … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘There is nothing wrong with losing your temper,’ says Fergie.

‘I don’t think anyone else will manage for 24 years, I’m a phenomenon’: Fergie

LONDON – Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson opened up yesterday about his amazing career, and predicted that no one would be in a position to repeat what he has achieved in over two decades of football management.

“I was always aware of the history. Matt Busby had a vision of taking United into Europe and producing …. Source article  : ‘I don’t think anyone else will manage for 24 years, I’m a phenomenon’: Fergie.

‘Rooney knew he had made a mistake,’ says Fergie of contract dispute

LONDON – Star striker Wayne Rooney knew that he had made a mistake when he took on the management of Manchester United for renegotiating his contract, said coach Sri Alex Ferguson.

Some young people take bad advice. He (Rooney) has an agent who is not the most popular man in the world and he obviously sold …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Rooney knew he had made a mistake,’ says Fergie of contract dispute.

Asian Games shooting: Bronze for Vijay, rifle shooters disappoint

GUANGZHOU – India’s Vijay Kumar won a bronze in the men’s 25 metres centre fire pistol competition while rifle shooters put up a disappointing show in the 50 metres three position event at the Asian Games here Thursday.

Vijay, who won three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, shot 583 to finish third at the … Read : Asian Games shooting: Bronze for Vijay, rifle shooters disappoint.

On skills, Poms marginally ahead of Aussies in Ashes run-up

MELBOURNE – In a position-by-position look at Ashes combatants – Australia and England, Fox Sports has arrived at some interesting conclusions.

Fox Sports has tried to find the Ashes favourite by rating each team by position and giving them a score out of five in five departments – openers, middle order, wicket-keeping, fast bowling and spinners. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : On skills, Poms marginally ahead of Aussies in Ashes run-up.

Lara joins Zimbabwe as batting consultant

HARARE – Former West Indies captain Brian Lara has said that he has been signed by Zimbabwe Cricket to work with their national team as a batting consultant.

“It’s a well-structured contract. I’m definitely looking forward to working with the team,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Lara, as saying.

The 41-year-old will work with Zimbabwe during the …. Source article  : Lara joins Zimbabwe as batting consultant.

Pace bowler Johnson enhances all-rounder status with ton against Victoria

MELBOURNE – Test fast bowler Mitchell Johnson enhanced his claim to genuine all-rounder status when he scored his maiden Sheffield Shield century at the MCG today.

After a two-and-a-half hour rain delay that reduced the first session to a mere three overs, Johnson reached his century shortly after play resume in the post lunch session as …. Original article  : Pace bowler Johnson enhances all-rounder status with ton against Victoria.