Sports News – Newsletter for December 17, 2010

Ben Henderson Fails To Win Last WEC

SAN FRANCISCO (GaeaTimes.com)- Last night’s fight between Ben Henderson and Anthony Pettis saw the latter coming out victorious after the former failed to succumb to the final moment kick of Anthony Pettis. It was the last WEC fight as after this the fighters will once again retire back to the world of the UFC for … Read more »»».

Dravid pips Lara to become third highest scorer in Test history

JOHANNESBURG – Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid has overtaken former West Indian captain Brain Lara as the third highest run-getter in the history of Test cricket.

Dravid achieved this feat after reaching 11 runs in the first of the three-match series against South Africa, the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Dravid pips Lara to become third highest scorer in Test history.

Ancelotti says he’s ‘going to stay at Chelsea until 2012???

LONDON – Carlo Ancelotti has refuted suggestions that he is thinking of quitting as the manager of Chelsea on the pretext that he is no longer in control of the team.

According to sources, Ancelotti was still unhappy about the dismissal of assistant coach Ray [..] Read the original article: here.

Hamilton persuaded McLaren to sign ‘world-champion’ Button

LONDON – British Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he had persuaded McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh to sign Jenson Button as his McLaren team-mate for the 2010 season.

“I do remember saying to Martin, ‘Have you spoken to Jenson?’ He said, ‘You know what, I haven’t’,” the Sun quoted …. Source  : Hamilton persuaded McLaren to sign ‘world-champion’ Button.

Dominic Cork signs up for ‘Dancing on Ice’

LONDON – Former England cricketer Dominic Cork has signed up for the new series of ‘Dancing on Ice’.

Cork, who still plays for Hampshire, will be the only sportsman to don skates in the new run of the hit ITV1 show next month, reports the Sun.

And he’s hoping to carry on in the tradition of … Original article on : Dominic Cork signs up for ‘Dancing on Ice’.

Pak runaway wicketkeeper Zulqarnain ’still waiting’ for decision on UK asylum plea

ISLAMABAD – Runaway Pakistani wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider, who had suddenly fled to London during a series against South Africa in Dubai early last month, is still waiting for a decision on his application for asylum in the United Kingdom.

After threatening to expose corrupt people in Pakistan cricket on his Facebook page recently, Zulqarnain had surprisingly …. Original source  : Pak runaway wicketkeeper Zulqarnain ’still waiting’ for decision on UK asylum plea.

Carlos Tevez spotted kissing and cuddling mystery girl

LONDON – Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez was spotted kissing and cuddling a blonde girl.

The striker couldn’t keep his hands off the mystery girl as they took the train to London.

“Carlos kept his arm around her for most of the journey and they giggled like a couple in love,” the Sun quoted an onlooker as [..] Read the original article: here.

Distance wreaking havoc on Hurley, Warne’s romance

MELBOURNE – Distance seems to be wreaking havoc on the alleged romance between actress Elizabeth Hurley and former cricketer Shane Warne.

The two lovebirds have been posting updates about their relationship on Twitter, but recently Warne, 41, who is in Perth for the Ashes, has been sounding a bit glum as he tweeted from his … Original article on : Distance wreaking havoc on Hurley, Warne’s romance.

Oz firms for legal action against Delhi CWG organizers over unpaid millions

MELBOURNE – Australian companies are planning to take legal action against the organizers of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games, claiming they are still owed millions for their work and are being blocked from taking their equipment out of India.

Australian Ric Birch, the executive producer of the Delhi opening and closing ceremonies, said about 15 … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Oz firms for legal action against Delhi CWG organizers over unpaid millions.

ICC extends ’scandal-hit’ Pak’s deadline for naming World Cup squad until Jan 5

LAHORE – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has extended its deadline for Pakistan to name their preliminary squad of 30 players for next year’s World Cup until January 5.

ICC spokesman Samiul Hasan said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had requested for the extension, the Daily Times reports.

On Wednesday, the integrity committee of the PCB …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

I’m a better bowler than three years ago against India, says Tremlett

PERTH – England fast bowler Chris Tremlett, who helped his team skittle Australia for 268 in their first innings in the third Ashes Test, insists that his injury woes are now behind him, and he is a better cricketer than when he notched three Tests against India in 2007.

Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne had labelled …. Source article  : I’m a better bowler than three years ago against India, says Tremlett.

Hussey backs ‘champion’ Ponting to prove his critics wrong

PERTH – Australian batsman Mike Hussey has backed captain Ricky Ponting to overhaul his troubled Ashes campaign and bounce back to his best form in the remaining Tests of the five-match series.

Ponting, who has posted scores of 10, 51, 0 and nine for an average of 23.3 in the first two Tests, managed only 12 …. Source  : Hussey backs ‘champion’ Ponting to prove his critics wrong.

Teenaged Tomic replaces Hewitt as latest Australian tennis villain

MELBOURNE – Teenager Bernard Tomic is fast replacing Lleyton Hewitt as a target of the media after opting out sick from the wildcard playoffs for next month’s Australian Open.

Tomic, who has courted previous controversies, reportedly felt that he would be awarded a wildcard entry in any case so called in sick for the playoff … Read more »»».

FIH accommodate Pakistan in 2011 Champions Trophy

CHENNAI – With hosts India getting an automatic entry in the 2011 men’s Champions Trophy, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has expanded the field from six to eight to accommodate Pakistan.

The Indian mens and womens teams will be figuring in two World-level tournaments in 2011 according a FIH release.
The elite tournament traditionally reserved … Original source on Gaea Times at : FIH accommodate Pakistan in 2011 Champions Trophy.

Lee, Hodge named in Oz 30-man 2011 World Cup squad

SYDNEY – Experienced fast bowler Brett Lee and batsman Brad Hodge have been included in Australia’s 30-man squad for next year’s World Cup in the subcontinent.

Lee has retired from Test cricket, but has been in great one-day form for his domestic team New South Wales, while Hodge has also … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Lee, Hodge named in Oz 30-man 2011 World Cup squad.

Holders Atletico Madrid crash out of Europa Cup in first stage

LONDON – Holders Atletico Madrid suffered a humiliating first-stage exit in this season’s Europa Cup Thursday after they could only finish third in their group following a draw at Bayern Leverkusen.

In a match played in snowy conditions in Germany, Fran Merida’s 72nd-minute equaliser gave Atletico hope, but Patrick Helmes’ goal for Leverkusen was enough … Read more : Holders Atletico Madrid crash out of Europa Cup in first stage.

India in dire straits against South Africa

CENTURION – South African fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel ripped apart the Indian batting on the rain-affected opening day of the first cricket Test here Thursday.

Steyn (3/34) and Morkel (4/20) reveled in helpful conditions as India were left struggling at 136 for nine in the first innings after just 38.1 overs of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : India in dire straits against South Africa.

Scoreboard: India vs South Africa, Day One, First Test

CENTURION – The following is the scoreboard at the end of first days play of the first cricket Test between India and South Africa at the Super Sport Park here Thursday.

India 1st innings:
Gautam Gambhir c Harris b Morkel 5
Virender Sehwag c Amla b Steyn 0
Rahul Dravid lbw b Morkel 14
Sachin …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Scoreboard: India vs South Africa, Day One, First Test.

India end day at 136/9 against South Africa

CENTURION – India were 136 for nine in the first innings at the close of the rain-affected opening day’s play of the first cricket Test match against South Africa at the Super Sport Park here Thursday.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was batting on 33 and debutant Jaydev Unadkat was on one when the stumps …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : India end day at 136/9 against South Africa.

Karnataka, Punjab advance in National Volleyball

CHENNAI – Expectedly, Karnataka and Punjab completed the mens quarter-finals line-up with straight forward victories in the Velammal Silver Jubilee Senior National volleyball championships, here Thursday.

In the final play-offs, Punjab got past Orissa 3-0 while Karnataka outplayed Andhra Pradesh also in straight games.
Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh progressed to the next round without … Original article on : Karnataka, Punjab advance in National Volleyball.