Sports News – Newsletter for December 2, 2010

Sharath, Subhajit qualify for ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals

NEW DELHI – Top paddlers Sharath Kamal and Subhajit Saha have qualified for the season-ending International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Pro Tour Grand Finals to be held in Seoul Dec 16-19.

The duo is the first from India to play in the prestigious event since its inception in 1996.
… Original article on : Sharath, Subhajit qualify for ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals.

Kolkata HIV patients play soccer to celebrate World Aids Day

KOLKATA – HIV patients played a soccer match with Mohun Bagan’s junior team on the occasion of World Aids Day here to spread awareness about the disease.

The match was organised by the Society for Community Intervention and Research and Medical Bank.

The secretary of a Medical Bank, D. Ashis, said the spirit of the game was … Read more »»».

Hilfenhaus facing possible axe for Adelaide Test

ADELAIDE – Australian fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus could face the axe in the Adelaide Test, following his one wicket haul at the Gabba.

The host team for the second Test has already been given a shake up, with out-of-form speedster Mitchell Johnson dropped from the 12-man squad on Thursday.

Johnson’s omission almost certainly means a Test recall … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Hilfenhaus facing possible axe for Adelaide Test.

Watson was under-bowled at Gabba, is crucial to Oz attack: Blewett

|US, South Korea plan more military exercises as warning to belligerent North|World[US{WASHINGTON – The United States and South Korea are planning to carry out more joint military exercises as early as this month, South Korea’s military has said.

The announcement comes after the two sides wrapped up a four-day joint military exercise in the waters …. Original article  : Watson was under-bowled at Gabba, is crucial to Oz attack: Blewett.

Pietersen labels Adelaide groundsmen “pathetic

ADELAIDE – Key England batsman Kevin Pietersen’s tweet labeling Adelaide Oval groundsmen as pathetic has not gone down well with his team, or with Australian fans here.

Key batsmen Pietersen fumed when practice pitches were uncovered during a sudden downpour in Adelaide on Wednesday, forcing the tourists to train indoors.

He reportedly made his feelings known … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pietersen labels Adelaide groundsmen “pathetic.

Oz bowling attack is the worst in 30 years: Thomson

ADELAIDE – Forme Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson has described the current Australian bowling attack as the worst he has seen in 30 years.

“It’s a worry for the selectors. With Mitch not bowling well, this is our weakest attack for a long time, going back to the 1980s,” the Herald Sun quoted Thomson, Dennis Lillee’s …. Source article  : Oz bowling attack is the worst in 30 years: Thomson.

Adelaide won’t be the same as Brisbane, feels combative Strauss

ADELAIDE – England cricket captain Andrew Strauss has reiterated his team’s desire to get off to a strong start in the Ashes series.

With the Brisbane Test ending in a draw and with more plaudits for England than Australia, Strauss has warned his mates not to think too much about the past and to remain focused …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Ashes 2010: Strauss says England not complacent ahead of second Test

ADELAIDE – England cricket captain Andrew Strauss is adamant that his team will not be swept away by Australia here as it was in 2006, nor would the squad be complacent after securing a draw in Brisbane.

“For us to be jumping up and down and congratulating each other would be a long way off the …. Original source  : Ashes 2010: Strauss says England not complacent ahead of second Test.

Media bashed Ponting looking to turn things around in Adelaide Oval Test

ADELAIDE – Australian captain Ricky Ponting has fond memories of the Adelaide Oval, which will be the venue of the second Ashes Test against England from Friday, and is hoping that the media bashing that he has copped after the Gabba Test will reduce with a better performance from his team and himself.

Ponting has scored …. Source article  : Media bashed Ponting looking to turn things around in Adelaide Oval Test.

Ponting challenges Barmy Army to turn out in droves

ADELAIDE – Australian cricket skipper Ricky Ponting has called on the Barmy Army to turn out in droves for this year’s Ashes series in Australia.

“I have said for a long time even they booed me at every opportunity last year, they are the best bunch of supporters that we play in front of for the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Man U youngsters not upto scratch: Ex-full-back

LONDON – Manchester United’s current crop of youngsters are simply not good enough, feels former full-back Viv Anderson.

Anderson passed his judgment after watching Alex Ferguson’s team crashed 4-0 at West Ham in Tuesday’s Carling Cup quarterfinal.

Jonny Evans, 22, played alongside 21-year-old Chris Smalling at the heart of the defence, with Fabio, 20, at right-back. All … Original source on Gaea Times at : Man U youngsters not upto scratch: Ex-full-back.

England must block out 2006 Ashes nightmare: Gillespie

ADELAIDE – Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie has said that England must block out the harrowing memories of the Ashes series played Down Under in 2006, or risk scuppering their second Test hopes.

England return to the scene of one of their famous Ashes capitulations tomorrow when they take the field at the Adelaide Oval.

Going …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Fuming Putin accuses England of ‘dirty tricks’ before 2018 World Cup bid

LONDON/MOSCOW – A fuming Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has accused England of launching a ‘dirty tricks campaign’ to secure its right to host the 2018 World Cup.

The crunch vote as to which country will host the event takes place later today.

According to the Daily Mail, Putin told Russian ministers he would not travel to …. Source article  : Fuming Putin accuses England of ‘dirty tricks’ before 2018 World Cup bid.

Hamilton impressed by 2011 McLaren Formula One car

LONDON – Former Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has said that he is impressed by next year’s McLaren Formula One car.

The 2008 world champ gave his verdict after jumping into the “cockpit” of the new MP4-26 for a virtual test on the Woking team’s simulator, The Sun reports.

He had several tweaks to try out, including … Original source on Gaea Times at : Hamilton impressed by 2011 McLaren Formula One car.

Vettori blames Kiwi bowlers’ profligacy for Jaipur ODI rout against India

JAIPUR – New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori reckons that his bowlers lacked penetration and discipline on a flat batting wicket for Wednesday’s second ODI of the five match series against India.

New Zealand lost the match at Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Stadium by eight-wickets, which sees the tourists go 0-2 down in the series.

Stand-in Indian captain … Read more »».

Gautam Gambhir Returns To Form

JAIPUR, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- India’s win against New Zealand in the 2nd ODI at Jaipur will allow Indian fans a sigh of relief as batting mainstay Gautam Gambhir has shown a great return to form with a smashing century. His century not only helped India cruise to an easy victory but also gave the selectors … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Gautam Gambhir Returns To Form.

Strauss questions Johnson’s axing for second Ashes Test

ADELAIDE – England captain Andrew Strauss reckons that it is a “big call” by Australia to drop out of sorts fast bowler Mitchell Johnson for the second Test match of the Ashes series, starting in Adelaide on Friday.

Strauss described Johnson as an important player for Australia.

“It’s quite a big call for them to leave him …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Strauss questions Johnson’s axing for second Ashes Test.

Ponting confirms ‘poor form’ behind Johnson’s axing for second Ashes Test

ADELAIDE – Australian captain Ricky Ponting has confirmed that struggling fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has been dropped from the 12-man squad for the second Test match of the Ashes series, starting in Adelaide on Friday.

Ponting said that Johnson’s poor form in his wicketless Ashes opener cost him a place for the Test.

“Mitchell Johnson is out …. Source article  : Ponting confirms ‘poor form’ behind Johnson’s axing for second Ashes Test.

Gambhir’s unbeaten ton helps India beat Kiwis by eight wickets (Roundup)

JAIPUR – Stand-in cricket captain Gautam Gambhir struck a flawless unbeaten century as India beat New Zealand by eight wickets in the second One-day International here Wednesday to go two-up in the five-match series.

Chasing a target of 259, Gambhir remained unbeaten on 138 from 116 balls, as India achieved the target in 43 overs. …. Read the original article  : Gambhir’s unbeaten ton helps India beat Kiwis by eight wickets (Roundup).

Clijsters voted woman tennis player of the year

BERLIN – Kim Clijsters of Belgium has been voted the woman tennis player of the year for the second time in her career, governing body WTA announced Wednesday.

Clijsters, who first earned the accolade in 2005 and came out of retirement last year, won five trophies 2010, highlighted by a third US Open title.
“It’s …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Clijsters voted woman tennis player of the year.