Sports News – Newsletter for December 11, 2010

Australian Open entry full except Serena Williams

MELBOURNE – Serena Williams is the only major name missing from the women’s draw as the Australian Open announced a nearly full entry Saturday for the first Grand Slam of the season starting Jan 17.

Williams, who last played at Wimbledon six months ago and whose return to tennis after a summer foot injury remains … Read more >>>.

South Africa coach touts Steyn as trump card against India

CAPE TOWN – South Africa’s bowling coach Vincent Barnes believes his team’s pace attack led by speedster Dale Steyn has the firepower to bowl India out twice in a Test match.

Barnes feels bowling is South Africa’s strong point at home, and he is banking on Steyn to come up with the goods in …. Original article  : South Africa coach touts Steyn as trump card against India.

BCCI special meet approves disciplinary committee on Modi

MUMBAI – The Indian cricket board at its Special General Meeting (SGM) Saturday, retained the three-member disciplinary committee of Chirayu Amin, Arun Jaitley and Jyotiraditya Scindia, who are looking into the charges of financial irregularities against suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) called its … Read : BCCI special meet approves disciplinary committee on Modi.

Bill Simmons: The New ESPN Commentator

OAKLAND (GaeaTimes.com)- Bill Simmons made a remarkable statement as a commentator, when he accompanied Dan Shulman and Mark Jackson in the NBA match that took place between Miami Heats and Golden State Warriors yesterday. This was the first time that ESPN assigned Bill Simmons to take up this role. Many people were under the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

No changes in BCCI panel probing Lalit Modi

NEW DELHI – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday decided not to reconstitute the disciplinary committee which is hearing charges of financial irregularities against former Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Lalit Modi.

It has been further decided that the term of the three-member panel will be till the matter is decided.

The … Read more : No changes in BCCI panel probing Lalit Modi.

I don’t fear for my Chelsea job, says Ancelotti

LONDON – Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has said that he doesn’t fears for his job, and added that the club has cash available for next month’s transfer window.

Poor form has left Chelsea and the boss facing their ‘destiny’ in the next three Premier League games.

Chelsea face Tottenham tomorrow, followed by Manchester United and …. Source article  : I don’t fear for my Chelsea job, says Ancelotti.

Fabregas asks Arsenal to beat Man U and become champions

LONDON – Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas has asked his teammates to beat Manchester United and become champions.

Fabregas said: “It’s a huge game on Monday and we could go four points ahead at the top.

“We’re definitely looking to go to Old Trafford and win. That would be a massive statement of intent for us. We are …. Source  : Fabregas asks Arsenal to beat Man U and become champions.

Pietersen asked to be careful about his tweets

LONDON – England team managing director Hugh Morris has asked batsman Kevin Pietersen to be careful when posting tweets on his Twitter account following his latest outburst on the networking site.

Pietersen, who was selected to England’s Twenty20 and one-day squads to face Australia after the Ashes series, branded the Adelaide Oval groundsman ‘pathetic’ last Tuesday … Read more »».

Oz selectors not under pressure due to continuous criticism: Hilditch

SYDNEY – Australian cricket’s chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch has denied that selectors were feeling pressured by the continuous criticism of their decisions.

Hilditch and fellow selectors Greg Chappell, Jamie Cox and David Boon made widespread changes to Australia’s squad for the third Test against England.

“If you don’t make changes, you’re too conservative. If you do …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Oz selectors not under pressure due to continuous criticism: Hilditch.

Woods mistress Rachel Uchitel breaks down in tears on ‘Celebrity Rehab’

LONDON – Tiger Woods’ ex-mistress Rachel Uchitel had an emotional meltdown on reality TV show ‘Celebrity Rehab’ as she worried about her reputation.

The former nightclub hostess sobbed as she received a phone call telling her she was being “lynched in the press” for appearing on the show.

Four days after checking into rehab her representative called …. Read the original article  : Woods mistress Rachel Uchitel breaks down in tears on ‘Celebrity Rehab’.

Is Shane Warne chasing Liz Hurley?

LONDON – Cricket icon Shane Warne is chasing Liz Hurley after flirting madly with her at a party, according to sources.

Hurley, 45, got the full attention of the 41-year-old Aussie at a London bash thrown by Russian tycoon Alexander Lebedev.

“Shane was all over her like a love-sick pup and flirting like mad, ” the Sun … Read : Is Shane Warne chasing Liz Hurley?.

Beer’s selection proves Hilditch has ‘officially lost the plot’: MacGill

MELBOURNE – The selection of Michael Beer into the Australian Test team proves that selectors chairman Andrew Hilditch has officially lost the plot, according to former spinner Stuart MacGill.

Left arm spinner Beer was playing grade cricket in Melbourne last season. He moved to Western Australia because he wasn’t good enough to represent Victoria.

He has a [..] Read the original article: here.

Greg Chappell blames ‘homogenous’ home pitches for ‘decline of Australian cricket’

MELBOURNE – Australia’s national talent manager Greg Chappell has said that homogenous pitches had changed the character of the Australian cricket.

“It’s not the reason [for decline], but it is a change in Australian cricket that is disappointing,” Chappell said.

“One of the great things about Australian cricket is that every wicket was different, and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Greg Chappell blames ‘homogenous’ home pitches for ‘decline of Australian cricket’.

Oz selectors”chopping and changing’ regime ruining bowlers’ performances: Clark

SYDNEY – One of the major problems confronting the Australian bowling unit at the moment is the confusion surrounding places in the team, fast bowler Stuart Clark has said.

“Once again we are left to ponder the chopping and changing by Australia’s selectors. I can’t quite work out the logic behind the omission of Mitchell Johnson … Read more : Oz selectors’ ‘chopping and changing’ regime ruining bowlers’ performances: Clark.

‘Recalled’ Hughes says has exorcised his ‘chin music’ demons ahead of Perth Test

PERTH – Recalled Australian batsman Phillip Hughes insists that he “would not lose any sleep” over England’s plan to bounce him into Test oblivion.

Hughes has been summoned to replace injured Simon Katich for the third Test in Perth, which starts on Thursday.

The 22-year-old had burst on to the international scene with two hundreds in …. Read the original article  : ‘Recalled’ Hughes says has exorcised his ‘chin music’ demons ahead of Perth Test.

Vettori says his role as captain under scanner after 5-0 drubbing by India

WELLINGTON – Daniel Vettori has acknowledged that his role as captain of the New Zealand cricket team is under the scanner after an embarrassing 0-5 one-day international series defeat in India.

New Zealand suffered an eight-wicket drubbing in the final match at Chennai, losing their 11th successive match across three series on the subcontinent since August.

Vettori …. Source article  : Vettori says his role as captain under scanner after 5-0 drubbing by India.

‘Panicked’ Oz selectors have no idea of country’s No.1 spinner: Doherty

MELBOURNE – Australian spinner Xavier Doherty, who has been axed from the squad for the Perth Test, has said that there is a hint of panic in selections and the selectors have no idea who the country’s No.1 spinner was.

Doherty was a surprise call-up for the first Test but after starting well with 2-41 in … Read more >>.

Border in ’state of shock’ over Beer’s selection for Perth Test

SYDNEY – Former Australian captain Allan Border has said that the selection of left-arm spinner Michael Beer for the third Ashes Test in Perth is a huge surprise.

Beer, who is one of four changes from the Australian team for the Adelaide Test, has played just five first-class matches for Western Australia.

“I’m in a state of … Original article on : Border in ’state of shock’ over Beer’s selection for Perth Test.

Arthur backs ‘exceptional’ Beer to succeed in Perth Test

BRISBANE – Former South Africa and Western Australia coach Mickey Arthur has backed left-arm spinner Michael Beer to succeed where Xavier Doherty and the eight other spinners selected since leg-spin legend Shane Warne’s retirement have failed.

Beer has been playing club cricket in Melbourne for less than a year and has appeared in just five first-class … Original source on Gaea Times at : Arthur backs ‘exceptional’ Beer to succeed in Perth Test.

BCCI to re-constitute disciplinary panel

NEW DELHI – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will hold a special meeting today to reconstitute the panel looking at charges of financial irregularities against former Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Lalit Modi.

On November 22, Modi’s counsel Mehmood Abdi had said that the three-member disciplinary panel did not have the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : BCCI to re-constitute disciplinary panel.