Sports News – Newsletter for November 20, 2010

Warne tweets his disgust over Oz selectors’ decision to drop Hauritz

MELBOURNE – Spin legend Shane Warne has criticized the Australian selectors for dropping Nathan Hauritz from the 13-man Ashes squad for the Gabba Test.

Hauritz was left out of the Australian team with Tasmania’s Xavier Doherty and leg-spinning all-rounder Steve Smith named in the squad instead.

Warne used his favourite medium, Twitter, to question the decision … Original source on Gaea Times at : Warne tweets his disgust over Oz selectors’ decision to drop Hauritz.

Man with golden heart Drogba dedicated to helping world’s sick

LONDON – Chelsea’s ace striker Didier Drogba is not like any other footballer indulging in extravagance or cheating their partners, but is a man with a golden heart dedicated to helping the world’s sick.

Drogba launched a charity three years ago to help support vital health and education projects in Africa. Money has already gone to …. Read the original article  : Man with golden heart Drogba dedicated to helping world’s sick.

‘Cash-for-vote-scam’ will not damage England 2018 World Cup bid: Blatter

LONDON – Fifa President Sepp Blatter has claimed that England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup would not be affected by the Sunday Times investigation, following which two Fifa officials were banned for alleged corruption while four others were suspended.

Fifa executive committee members Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii were suspended and fined on Thursday … Read more >>.

Aditya wraps up India’s Asiad snooker campaign with singles bronze

GUANGZHOU – Aditya Mehta potted an unexpected bronze in the men’s snooker singles after losing in the semi-finals as India finished with four medals at the 16th Asian Games here Saturday.

Aditya, who defeated stronger opponents en route to the last four, lost to Marco Fu of Hong Kong 20-62, 7-60, 68-55, 15-59, 21-71 …. Source article  : Aditya wraps up India’s Asiad snooker campaign with singles bronze.

Asian Games golf: Indian men retain team silver

GUANGZHOU – The Indian men’s golf team retained their silver medal with the quartet of Rashid Khan, Abhinav Lohan, Abhijit Singh Chadha and Rahul Bajaj finishing second with a total of 10 over 874 at the Asian Games here Saturday.

Defending champions South Korea retained the gold while Chinese Taipei again had to settle for … Read more >>>.

Josh Selby To Debut Against Southern California

LAWRENCE (GaeaTimes.com)- Josh Selby is surely a happy man now after NCAA passed the permission for him to play his first college game. He will be playing it on December 18 against Southern California at Allen Fieldhouse.
The No.1 ranked recruit of the nation has been receiving numerous congratulatory notes ever since this news came up. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Josh Selby To Debut Against Southern California.

Asian Games golf: Indian men’s team win silver

GUANGZHOU – The Indian men’s golf team clinched a silver at the Asian Games here Saturday.

The quartet of Rashid Khan, Abhinav Lohan, Abhijit Singh Chadha and Rahul Bajaj finished second with a total of 10 over 874.
South Korea won the gold (22 under 842) and Chinese Taipei (11 over 875) the bronze.
…. Source article  : Asian Games golf: Indian men’s team win silver.

Asian Games hockey: India beat Pakistan 3-2

GUANGZHOU – India defeated Pakistan 3-2 in a group B men’s hockey match at the Asian Games here Saturday.

Sandeep Singh converted two penalty corners for India, while Dharamvir Singh slotted one. For Pakistan, Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi scored the goals. India led 2-1 at half-time.
… Original article on : Asian Games hockey: India beat Pakistan 3-2.

Australia starting to settle down ahead of Ashes opener against England: Roebuck

SYDNEY – After two weeks of introspection and a fortnight of combative cricket, Australia is starting to settle down in time for the Ashes opener against England, noted cricket commentator Peter Roebuck has said.

Roebuck’s comment comes after Australia’s faltering preparations for the upcoming series received a boost following strong performances by key players Mitchell Johnson …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

I am not the next Shane Warne, says Doherty

MELBOURNE – Uncapped left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty, who has been included in the Australian squad for the Ashes first Test at the expense of Nathan Hauritz, has said that he is not the next Shane Warne.

He further said he would make an impact if handed his baggy green cap for an Ashes showdown with England …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : I am not the next Shane Warne, says Doherty.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere cautioned over street assault

LONDON – Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has received a police caution for common assault over a street brawl in Kensington, London.

Wilshere was arrested and bailed following the incident in the early hours of August 29.

“An 18-year-old male has attended a west London police station where he received a caution for common assault,” the Telegraph …. Source  : Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere cautioned over street assault.

“I’ve never taken fixing allegations seriously”: Kamran Akmal

KARACHI – Even as uncertainty prevails over Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal’s future following his implication in the spot-fixing scandal, the discarded wicketkeeper denies taking the ‘fixing’ allegations against him “seriously,” and says that he has not seen any fellow player do anything inappropriate on the field during his eight-year stint.

“I have never taken these …. Read the original article  : here.

Asian Games tennis: Sania Mirza in women’s singles semis

GUANGZHOU – India’s Sania Mirza dispatched second-seeded Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-2, 6-3 to move into the women’s singles semifinals of Asian Games tennis competitions here Saturday.

It took Sania, ranked 166th, one hour and 27 minutes to close the match.
She next plays third-seeded Uzbek Akgul Amanmuradova.
… Read : Asian Games tennis: Sania Mirza in women’s singles semis.

Asian Games snooker: Aditya wins bronze in snooker singles

GUANGZHOU – India’s Aditya Mehta secured a surprise bronze after losing to Chun Marco Fu Ka of Hong Kong 1-4 in the semifinals of the men’s snooker singles competition at the Asian Games here Saturday.

Aditya, who defeated stronger opponents en route to the last four, went down 20-62, 7-60, 68-55, 15-59, 21-71 on the … Read more : Asian Games snooker: Aditya wins bronze in snooker singles.

McGrath’s idea of a honeymoon – cricket lunch

MELBOURNE – While most people prefer flying off to a holiday destination right after marriage, Glenn McGrath’s idea of a honeymoon was different – spending the first day of his second marriage with cricketing mates.

Leaving new bride Sara Leonardi behind at their Woolooware home and with their honeymoon plans on hold, the former fast bowler …. Original source  : McGrath’s idea of a honeymoon – cricket lunch.

Cash-stripped Barmy Army to be a reduced battalion for current Ashes series

SYDNEY – England’s ‘Barmy Army’ may not make it to Australia in full force to witness the upcoming Ashes series, as it appears to be cash stripped.

Officials are predicting that about 15,000 to 20,000 English fans would arrive to support their team for the tour, well down from the 40,000 who visited during the 2006-07 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Cash-stripped Barmy Army to be a reduced battalion for current Ashes series.

Uncapped Doherty, Smith in Oz squad in place of Hauritz for first Ashes Test

MELBOURNE – The Australian selectors have named uncapped spinners Xavier Doherty and Steve Smith in the 13-man Australian squad for the first Ashes Test, dumping Nathan Hauritz.

Hauritz paid the price for modest form, with Tasmanian left-arm finger-spinner Doherty now having a good chance to follow his recent one-day international debut with a Test debut against …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Uncapped Doherty, Smith in Oz squad in place of Hauritz for first Ashes Test.

Yoga keeps the Beckhams together

MELBOURNE – David Beckham and his wife Victoria do yoga together to keep the spark alive in their 11-year-long marriage.

The couple attend regular classes at The Sports Club in Beverly Hills and believe their sessions have brought them closer together.

“Victoria and David do power yoga classes for couples for an hour about twice a week,” … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Yoga keeps the Beckhams together.

Botham backs England to ‘dish out an emphatic defeat’ for Australia

SYDNEY – Former England all-rounder Ian Botham is tipping the Andrew Strauss-led England team to score an “emphatic” first away Ashes series win in more than two decades.

England has not won an Ashes series in Australia since 1986-1987, and were thumped 5-0 when the sides last met Down Under in 2006.

“England should win the Ashes … Read more »».

England on a roll ahead of Ashes opener with 10 wicket drubbing of Australia A

MELBOURNE – England got a perfect boost for the first Test when they beat Australia A at the Bellerive Oval.

England needed just nine runs in their second innings and surged to a 10 wicket win after running through Australia A’s lower order.

It took England openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook just nine balls to bring …. Source  : England on a roll ahead of Ashes opener with 10 wicket drubbing of Australia A.