Sports News – Newsletter for December 6, 2010

Haider’s threats to expose corrupt worries PCB

KARACHI – Runaway Pakistani wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider’s threats to expose Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials involved in corruption has left the cricketing fraternity in the country worried.

Following the bizarre episode in which Haider had disappeared from his team hotel in Dubai, only to resurface in London and seek asylum there, the PCB had terminated Haider’s …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Haider’s threats to expose corrupt worries PCB.

England edge closer to Adelaide Test win

ADELAIDE – Kevin Pietersen claimed a key wicket with the last ball of day four following his earlier heroics with the bat to give England real encouragement in their pursuit of victory in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Pietersen, who scored a career-best Test score of 227 to help England reach 620-5 declared, struck with … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : England edge closer to Adelaide Test win.

FIFA’s voting panel should have been given bid money directly: Blackpool boss Holloway

LONDON – Blackpool coach-cum-manager Ian Holloway believes the 15 million pounds England’s FA spent on the country’s disastrous 2018 World Cup bid could have brought a more fruitful result if it had been given direct to FIFA’s voting panel.

Holloway admitted he was seething after seeing the events unfold in Zurich this week, when England’s bid …. Source article  : FIFA’s voting panel should have been given bid money directly: Blackpool boss Holloway.

Pietersen is destined to be England’s first great cricketer since Botham: Roebuck

SYDNEY – England batsman Kevin Pietersen’s true destiny is to become his adopted country’s first great cricketer since Ian Botham, according to noted cricket commentator Peter Roebuck.

Pietersen struck a double century as England built a massive 375-run first innings lead over Australia in the ongoing second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

The 30-year-old scored 227 off 308 …. Source  : Pietersen is destined to be England’s first great cricketer since Botham: Roebuck.

Eboue lands himself in marital doghouse after dancing at Drogba’s charity do

LONDON – Arsenal striker Emmanuel Eboue has landed in the doghouse over the weekend for being one players found dancing with a woman they shouldn’t have.

Eboue was caught on stage at a Nicole Scherzinger gig at a plush black tie bash on Saturday night.

According to The Sun, the married Premier League star was in …. Source  : Eboue lands himself in marital doghouse after dancing at Drogba’s charity do.

Australia hasn’t been able to sustain pressure on England: Watson

ADELAIDE – Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has admitted that his team’s bowlers must put in a better performance as a unit if they have to comeback against England in the ongoing Ashes series.

“The wickets have been fairly flat, but that’s no excuse. We’re skilled enough to make the most of what’s out there. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Australia hasn’t been able to sustain pressure on England: Watson.

Aware of Putin’s missive, Abramovich may pay up for Russia, not Chelsea

LONDON – With Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin making it clear that he expects his country’s oligarchs to contribute handsomely to the 30 billion pound expenses expected for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, there is a possibility of Roman Abramovich giving up his stake in Chelsea FC.

According to The Sun, Abramovich is still celebrating Russia …. Read the original article  : Aware of Putin’s missive, Abramovich may pay up for Russia, not Chelsea.

2011 World Cup is not beyond ’struggling’ Kiwis: Vaughan

AUCKLAND – New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Chief Executive Justin Vaughan is confident that the Black Caps can win next year’s World Cup being held in the Indian subcontinent despite their ninth one-day loss on the trot.

New Zealand lost their third one-day against India at Vadodara’s Reliance Stadium by nine-wickets, which saw the tourists going down … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 2011 World Cup is not beyond ’struggling’ Kiwis: Vaughan.

Vettori urges Black Caps to ’stay positive’ despite India ODI series loss

VADODARA – New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori is playing the ’stay positive’ card after his side slumped 0-3 down in the five match one-day series against India.

New Zealand lost the third match of the series at Vadodara’s Reliance Stadium by nine-wickets, which follows the 40 run defeat in the first match at Guwahati and …. Original article  : Vettori urges Black Caps to ’stay positive’ despite India ODI series loss.

UK-based bookmaker denies reported ‘Haye scam’

LONDON – Britain’s leading bookmaker, Betfred, has denied suggestions that WBA world heavyweight champion David Haye had engineered a betting coup during his knockout win over 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medallist Audley Harrison.

Haye retained his crown after the ‘Battle of Britain’ at Manchester’s MEN Arena in November.

However, conspiracy theorists were out in force after Haye …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Is Becks trying to hide his bald patch?

LONDON – It seems soccer ace David Beckham is facing a new battle after World Cup loss – a thinning hairline.

An unflattering angle during coverage of the vote on BBC News showed Beckham is thinning on top.

The 35-year-old sported longer hair in Zurich, where he was acting as an ambassador for England’s bid with … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Is Becks trying to hide his bald patch?.

Kiwis need a string of wins to turn poor one-day form around: Richardson

AUCKLAND – Former New Zealand cricketer Mark Richardson reckons that the Black Caps don’t just need a win, but they need a string of wins to turn their poor one-day form around.

New Zealand, who are currently 0-3 down in the ongoing five match one-day series against India, has equalled their second worst one-day run of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Kiwis need a string of wins to turn poor one-day form around: Richardson.

Cricket South Africa says sorry over announcing Gibbs contract end prematurely

Johannesburg (S. Africa), – Cricket South Africa has formally apologized to former opener Herschelle Gibbs for the way they prematurely announced the end of his contract.

Cricket South Africa had issued a press release stating that Gibbs’ contract had been cancelled, but its officials were forced to apologize two days later. A joint statement with Gibbs …. Source article  : Cricket South Africa says sorry over announcing Gibbs contract end prematurely.

Ancelotti says feeling the heat to save his Blues job

LONDON – Italian-born coach-cum-manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted for the first time he is feeling the strain of trying to save his job at Chelsea FC.
Champions Chelsea has tumbled from the top to third position in the Premier League after a depressing run of just one win in six games.

The Blues boss accepts his … Read more >>>.

Don’t blame pitches for Australia’s woes in Ashes series: Gabba curator

BRISBANE – Gabba curator Kevin Mitchell insists that the pitches on offer for the Ashes series are not responsible for the Ricky Ponting-led Australian team’s woes.

The pitch for the Brisbane Test had produced 624 runs for the loss of just two wickets on the last two days of the match, but Mitchell reckons … Original article on : Don’t blame pitches for Australia’s woes in Ashes series: Gabba curator.

England FA sees Tottenham boss Redknapp as one of Capello’s successors

LONDON – The Football Association in England has publicly confirmed for the first time that they fancy Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp as current England coach Fabio Capello’s successor.

The Sun quoted FA chief executive Alex Horne, as saying: “Harry Redknapp is a great manager. Tottenham are playing great football and to qualify well for … Original article on : England FA sees Tottenham boss Redknapp as one of Capello’s successors.

Fuming Tevez takes on Man City boss Mancini over being subbed

LONDON – Argentine star Carlos Tevez has exploded with Manchester City manager-cum-coach Roberto Mancini for subbing him too often.

According to The Sun, Mancini took off his skipper for the 11th time this season against Bolton, leading to Tevez expressing his unhappiness with the Italian in the 90th minute of City’s 1-0 victory.

“Carlos isn’t happy he … Original source on Gaea Times at : Fuming Tevez takes on Man City boss Mancini over being subbed.

Shaun Marcum Heading For Milwaukee Brewers?

LAKE BUENA VISTA (GaeaTimes.com)- The buzz in the baseball circle has it that Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shaun Marcum is likely to be sent to the Milwaukee Brewers. This is the latest news that has come up in the Major League Baseball’s Winter meetings circle. Although the winter meeting is slated to begin today … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Shaun Marcum Heading For Milwaukee Brewers?.

Sunday of home wins leaves Villarreal, Espanyol well placed

MADRID – A Sunday of home wins in the Spanish football league has left Villarreal and Espanyol third and fourth in the standings.

Villarreal beat Sevilla 1-0 and Espanyol overcame lowly Sporting Gijon by the same score.
Once again, Villarreal were invigorated by young strikers Nilmar and Guiseppe Rossi, both of whom are in …. Read the original article  : Sunday of home wins leaves Villarreal, Espanyol well placed.

Gator Bowl To Hit On January 1

JACKSONVILLE (GaeaTimes.com)- The Gator Bowl, through an unanimous voting, decided to invite Mississippi State University and Michigan to play for them on January 1. This came up as a big new for all the fans of Mississippi as for the first time since 1998, they will be starting the year with a Bowl game. …. Source  : Gaea News Network.