Sports News – Newsletter for November 30, 2010

Ranji Trophy: Tamil Nadu, Bengal in crucial tie

CHENNAI – For more than one reason does Bengal welcome the return of Sourav Ganguly for the key game against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy Super League commencing at the Guru Nanak College Ground here Wednesday.

Beset with injuries and illness, Bengal coach and former India and Tamil Nadu opener Woorkeri Raman pointed out … Read : Ranji Trophy: Tamil Nadu, Bengal in crucial tie.

England, now the bookies’ favourite to win Ashes series

BRISBANE – England has now overtaken Australia as favourite to win the Ashes series in 2010-11.

The Herald Sun reveals that at TAB Sportsbet, England has firmed 2.30 dollars to win the series with Australia now out to 2.40 dollars and a drawn series out to 4.50 dollars.

When series betting opened in May, Australia was a …. Original article  : England, now the bookies’ favourite to win Ashes series.

Much bragged about powers of the baggy green down to only Warne, McGrath: Hussain

LONDON – Former England captain Nasser Hussain reckons that the drawn Ashes opener in Brisbane establishes that Australia’s perpetually bragged about special powers of the baggy green had more to do with legends Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.

“As I watched England’s batsmen rack up the runs on the fourth day at the Gabba, one thought … Read more >>.

Selectors must dump ‘confidence-ebbed’ Johnson for Adelaide Test: Ian Chappell

SYDNEY – Struggling Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson must be removed from the second Test of the Ashes series, former captain Ian Chappell has said.

Chappell said that the selectors had no option, but to dump Johnson, as he had shown no ability to counter the patient English batsmen and had also deteriorated as the first …. Source  : Selectors must dump ‘confidence-ebbed’ Johnson for Adelaide Test: Ian Chappell.

Mark Waugh says teams have worked out “one-dimensional” Johnson

SYDNEY – Former Australian batsman Mark Waugh is among the pundits concerned by fast bowler Mitchell Johnson’s performance after he went wicketless, for the first time in his 39 Tests, in the Ashes opener in Brisbane.

Johnson now has the dubious honour of having not taken a wicket in over 400 Test deliveries and collecting Test … Read more : Mark Waugh says teams have worked out “one-dimensional” Johnson.

Chastening reality pushes Oz selectors back to the drawing board

BRISBANE – With the first Ashes Test held here drawn, and England seemingly coming out on top during the encounter in all departments of the game, the Australian selectors have been made to confront chastening reality and go back to the drawing board.

A humorous twitter message whistled around the Gabba press box on Monday … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Chastening reality pushes Oz selectors back to the drawing board.

Angry Ponting slams ‘technology-deficient’ TV referral system as ‘blight on game’

SYDNEY – Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has branded the TV referral system as ‘a blight on the game’ after being denied what he considered was a fair catch in the drawn first Test of the Ashes series.

The bone of contention was the decision to give England double centurion Alastair Cook not-out after being caught by [..] Read the original article: here.

Barcelona tear dismal Real Madrid apart

MADRID – Barcelona cruised to the top of the Spanish Liga in sumptous style by thrashing historic rivals Real Madrid 5-0 in a delighted Camp Nou.

David Villa scored twice Monday for the Catalans, who are now two points above second-placed Real.
Barca’s other goals were put away by Xavi, Pedro and super-sub Jeffren. Real … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Barcelona tear dismal Real Madrid apart.

Germany kick off women’s World Cup against Canada

FRANKFURT – Defending champions and hosts Germany were Monday drawn against Canada, Nigeria and France in the group stage of the 2011 women’s football World Cup.

Germany, winners in 2003 and 2007, play the opening game against Canada in Berlin June 26 as a result of the draw for the sixth edition of the four-yearly …. Original source  : Germany kick off women’s World Cup against Canada.

Becks faces fresh sex allegations

LONDON – Soccer star David Beckham is facing a new batch of claims about his personal life from the publishers of a magazine he is suing for ‘fabricating’ a story saying he bedded a hooker.

Several U.S. websites say In Touch Weekly’s German publishing company Bauer used the privilege of court to make the allegations that …. Source article  : Becks faces fresh sex allegations.

Brisbane heroics will inspire England to win Ashes series: Strauss

LONDON – England captain Andrew Strauss believes that his team has gained momentum for the second Ashes Test in Adelaide after battling their way to a draw in the series opener in Brisbane.

England’s fightback with the bat came after Australia took a handsome 221-run lead on the first innings.

Alistair Cook hit a career-best 235 not … Read : Brisbane heroics will inspire England to win Ashes series: Strauss.

Curator promises “traditional Adelaide Oval pitch” for second Ashes Test

SYDNEY – Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough has promised a “traditional pitch” for the second Ashes Test between Australia and England starting on Friday.

“Like all curators, I want to make sure I produce a good pitch for the players and for the cricket fans, and that we can get a result here,” Fox Sports quoted … Original source on Gaea Times at : Curator promises “traditional Adelaide Oval pitch” for second Ashes Test.

Deepinder Hooda wants sports university in Haryana

CHANDIGARH – Buoyed by the success of Haryana’s medal-winning sportspersons in the recent Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, parliamentarian Deepender Singh Hooda now wants the central government to sanction a sports university for the state.

Hooda, who represents Rohtak and is the son of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, said in a statement here that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Deepinder Hooda wants sports university in Haryana.

Sangakkara replaces Tendulkar as number one Test batsman

DUBAI – Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara Monday replaced India’s Sachin Tendulkar to be the number one batsman in the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings.

Sangakkara, who reached the top spot after scoring an impressive 150 runs against the West Indies in the ongoing home series, has 882 rating points in comparison [..] Read the original article: here.

Woman referee Maria Rebello now in AFC Elite Panel

NEW DELHI – Goa’s Maria Rebello, who became the first Indian woman referee to officiate in the senior men’s National Championships tournament in July, has now been inducted in the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Elite Panel of referees.

An elated Maria told IANS that she was excited at the prospect of officiating in the top …. Read the original article  : here.

Indian hockey team needs a defender like Dilip Tirkey: Harendra

NEW DELHI – The Indian hockey team is still in search of a sound defender of the calibre of Dilip Tirkey. His retirement has left a big vacuum and that was one of the reasons for India failing to grab the gold at the Guangzhou Asian Games last week. That is the assessment of national …. Source  : Indian hockey team needs a defender like Dilip Tirkey: Harendra.

Cricketers to sport red ribbons on World AIDS Day

NEW DELHI – Leading international cricket players will be sporting red ribbons in their upcoming matches to mark World AIDS Day (Dec 1) and to support those living with HIV, according to a release.

The initiative is a part of the Think Wise partnership – a joint partnership between the International Cricket Council (ICC), …. Original source  : Cricketers to sport red ribbons on World AIDS Day.

England bid for 2018 World Cup brightens with footie hooliganism drop

LONDON – With football hooliganism dropping massively in England, chances of the country being given the right to host the 2018 World Cup have reportedly brightened.

According to the Daily Star, arrests at games nose dived 10 percent last season across England and Wales, and therefore, officials now believe the game’s cleaner image could help England … Original article on : England bid for 2018 World Cup brightens with footie hooliganism drop.

ICC poised to dump Champions Trophy for new Future Tours Program

LONDON – The International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to kill off the Champions Trophy in order to construct an enhanced international programme for the future.

After the ICC board approved the creation of Test and limited overs championship leagues, the governing body’s chief executives committee will meet in Dubai to mull over the details.

According to …. Read the original article  : here.

Yousuf leaves Pak domestic team after fallout with captain Rana Naved

LAHORE – Pakistani batsman Mohammad Yousuf has left his old domestic team, WAPDA, to join Lahore for the Quaid-e-Azam tournament after a fallout with captain Rana Naved.

According to the Daily Times, Rana had refused to play Yousuf in a match.

“The problem arose after Rana did not play Yousuf whose fitness was suspect, and could have … Read : Yousuf leaves Pak domestic team after fallout with captain Rana Naved.