Sports News – Newsletter for December 1, 2010

PCB recalls Younus to Test and T20 squads, overlooks Malik, Akmal, Yousuf

LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee, headed by former Test opener Mohsin Hasan Khan, has omitted wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, all-rounder Shoaib Malik and batsman Mohammad Yousuf from the Test and Twenty20 squads named for the New Zealand tour starting with a warm-up game against Auckland on December 23.

However, former captain Younus Khan … Original article on : PCB recalls Younus to Test and T20 squads, overlooks Malik, Akmal, Yousuf.

Flower backs Swann to fire in second Ashes Test in Adelaide

ADELAIDE – England coach Andy Flower is confident that off-spinner Graeme Swann will have a major impact on this week’s second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Swann had a modest first Test in Brisbane where he finished with match figures of 2-161 from 51 overs.

Flower however believes that suggestions from former players such as Geoff Boycott that …. Source  : Flower backs Swann to fire in second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Johnson’s action and confidence is low: Stuart Clark

SYDNEY – Former Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark believes that left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson’s confidence is low and so is his action, i.e. his front arm is pulling away from his body and this is causing his wrist to be more horizontal rather than vertical.

He says in a write-up for the Sydney Morning Herald … Original source on Gaea Times at : Johnson’s action and confidence is low: Stuart Clark.

Chappells split on key quick Johnson

ADELAIDE – Left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson has lost the faith of one Chappell brother, but the one who will determine his Test fate still regards him as a key to Australia’s hopes of regaining the Ashes.

National selector Greg Chappell said last night he was not worried by Johnson’s performance in the first Test, but refused …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Chappells split on key quick Johnson.

ICC makes further progress towards Test, ODI leagues

DUBAI – The ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) met at ICC headquarters in Dubai and made excellent progress towards finalising the Future Tours Programme (FTP) Test and ODI league schedules and began the process of drawing up rules, regulations and a points system for the leagues.

The CEC agreed to reconstitute its working group comprising David … Read more »»».

The top 20 online questions of 2010

LONDON – ‘Why are England so bad at football?’ and ‘Is The X Factor fixed?’ are the most common new questions being put to the Ask Jeeves search engine.

Ask Jeeves receives 360,000 direct questions and an average 1.8million queries – such as basic name searches – every day.

Here are the top 20 searched-for questions of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : The top 20 online questions of 2010.

Winning Adelaide Test will be Ponting’s greatest challenge: Warne

ADELAIDE – Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne believes that the host team’s bid to win the second Ashes Test in Adelaide will be skipper Ricky Ponting’s greatest challenge.

According to Warne, the task of getting Australia to regroup and focus will be a tremendous one for Ponting, after the draw in Brisbane.

“This is the biggest test …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Winning Adelaide Test will be Ponting’s greatest challenge: Warne.

Clarke says he’s fit for second Test

ADELAIDE – Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke has declared himself fit for the second Ashes Test after a lengthy net session at Adelaide Oval here.

Clarke has been suffering from a recurring back problem, and in the Gabba Test, he struggled while making nine runs from 50 balls.

The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke, as …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Ex- opener Trescothick to use Mongoose bat to win Lord’s million-dollar six jackpot

LONDON – Former England opener Marcus Trescothick will be trying to hit a million-dollar six with a Mongoose bat that was also used by former Australian opener Matthew Hayden.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Trescothick says he will be “trying to swing from ball one” after being set a million dollar challenge next season.rescothick has to …. Original article  : Ex- opener Trescothick to use Mongoose bat to win Lord’s million-dollar six jackpot.

Miandad declines to be batting consultant for Pakistan team

KARACHI – Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has declined the job of batting consultant for the tour of New Zealand after being told by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that he would have to report to national coach Waqar Younis.

Miandad, currently serving as PCB director-general, was interested to work as batting and fielding …. Original article  : Miandad declines to be batting consultant for Pakistan team.

India opt to field against New Zealand

JAIPUR – India’s stand-in captain Gautam Gambhir won the toss and opted to field against New Zealand in the second One-day International against New Zealand at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here Wednesday.

India are fielding the same side that won the first match in Guwahati. For New Zealand, captain Daniel Vettori comes in place of … Original article on : India opt to field against New Zealand.

UEFA punishment for Mourinho, players irritates Madrid

MADRID – Real Madrid and their fans are irritated at European football body UEFA’s decision, announced Tuesday, to give coach Jose Mourinho a heavy fine and a Champions League touchline ban.

UEFA’s disciplinary committee found Mourinho guilty of improper conduct for having ordered Real players Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos to get themselves sent off …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : UEFA punishment for Mourinho, players irritates Madrid.

Smouldering Cook is England’s Toy wonder: Swann

Adelaide (Australia), Dec. 1 (ANI): England opener Alastair Cook may not be the batsman you would go miles to watch, but his strong mentality and his ability to deliver in a telling manner when the chips are down, makes him an asset for any team, feels off-spinner Graeme Swann.

In a write-up for The Sun, Swann [..] Read the original article: here.

Smouldering Cook is England’s Toy wonder: Swann

ADELAIDE – England opener Alastair Cook may not be the batsman you would go miles to watch, but his strong mentality and his ability to deliver in a telling manner when the chips are down, makes him an asset for any team, feels off-spinner Graeme Swann.

In a write-up for The Sun, Swann said: “He might … Read more >>>.

Murray needs to acquire in your face attitude to win Grand Slam: Henman

LONDON – Former British number one Tim Henman and ex-Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic have advised World number four Andy Murray to acquire an in your face attitude if he ever wants to win a Grand Slam title.

“Andy’s game style is the issue because he’s got all the shots. When he’s been successful in the tournaments … Original article on : Murray needs to acquire in your face attitude to win Grand Slam: Henman.

Ashes: Ex-selector Hughes says Johnson should not be dropped

MELBOURNE – Former Test selector Merv Hughes believes it would be a mistake to drop left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson from the Australian squad for the second Ashes Test to be played against England in Adelaide from Friday.

Hughes said that such a move would be unfathomable and would seriously dent Johnson’s confidence.

He believed Ben Hilfenhaus … Read more »».

FIFA bribery scandal: IOC to investigate, CAF refutes claim

BERLIN – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Tuesday said they would investigate claims that a FIFA vice president, who is also a member of the IOC had received a bribe.

The BBC Monday claimed that three FIFA executive members, including the president of the African Football Confederation (CAF) Issa Hayatou had been bribed …. Read the original article  : FIFA bribery scandal: IOC to investigate, CAF refutes claim.

Trescothick tips England for Ashes glory

LONDON – Former England opener Marcus Trescothick has tipped England for Ashes glory.

Following Alastair Cook’s record-breaking exploits in the drawn first Test at Brisbane, and centuries by Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott, Tresco hopes another show of strength by England at Adelaide can drive a wedge into the Australian squad.

“If we continue to dominate in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Trescothick tips England for Ashes glory.

Pace bowler Harris gives selectors six screeching reasons to pick him for Adelaide

ADELAIDE – South Australian right-arm fast bowler Ryan Harris has given the national selectors six telling reasons to include him in Ponting’s squad for the second Ashes Test against England to be played here from Friday.

Six screaming deliveries to Mike Hussey have proved Harris is the man mostly likely to torment England’s left-handed duo of …. Original source  : Pace bowler Harris gives selectors six screeching reasons to pick him for Adelaide.

Bookie reveals Pak players Wahab, Kamran, Umar, Imran also involved in spot-fixing

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s preparations for the World Cup have received a major jolt after Mazhar Majeed, the alleged bookmaker at the centre of the spot-fixing allegations plaguing the national team, revealed names of four more players involved with him in fixing matches.

Pakistani cricketers- Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz and Imran Farhat- were named in …. Source  : Gaea News Network.