Sports News – Newsletter for December 21, 2010

Windies star Shillingford’s bowling action found to be illegal

DUBAI – The International Cricket Council today confirmed that an independent test had found the bowling action of the West Indies’ off-spinner Shane Shillingford to be illegal and, as such, the player has been suspended from bowling in international cricket.

A comprehensive analysis revealed … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Windies star Shillingford’s bowling action found to be illegal.

ICC rankings: Tendulkar moves closer to top spot

DUBAI – Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar has closed the gap on Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara to just two ratings points at the top of the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Rankings following his 50th Test century in the Centurion Test which finished … Original source on Gaea Times at : ICC rankings: Tendulkar moves closer to top spot.

Devin Hester Sets NFL Record

MINNEAPOLIS (GaeaTimes.com)- Monday night turned out to be a huge bash for the Chicago Bears not only for the team which won the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the TCF Bank Stadium but also for its wide receiver Devin Hester. As the Chicago Bears went on to crush the Vikings with a result of …. Source article  : Devin Hester Sets NFL Record.

Becks gets new tattoo on hairless chest

NEW YORK – Soccer star David Beckham has got a tattoo on his hairless chest.

Becks took to Facebook last week to reveal he was getting a new tattoo.

It’s unclear what the tattoo is exactly, as he posted a picture of himself mid-inking, but it rests on the left side of his chest, near his heart.

“I … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Becks gets new tattoo on hairless chest.

Ashley Cole shows off new girlfriend to Chelsea teammates

LONDON – Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole was recently spotted showing off his new girlfriend to his Chelsea teammates.

‘I’m A Celeb’ star Kayla Collins was at Mayfair club to celebrate Cole’s 30th birthday, reports the Sun.

She even took the effort of presenting the England star with a cake at midnight.

Kayla, who was due to fly home … Read : Ashley Cole shows off new girlfriend to Chelsea teammates.

Ishant dropped, Chawla in for ODI series against Proteas

MUMBAI – Fast bowler Ishant Sharma was dropped while leg-spinner Piyush Chawla made a come back after two-and-a-half years as the national selectors Tuesday announced a 16-member squad for the five-match ODI series and a Twenty20 match against South Africa.

Another notable absentee from the squad was middle order batsman Rohit Sharma, who played in …. Read the original article  : Ishant dropped, Chawla in for ODI series against Proteas.

Beckham hopes to make sensational comeback to England team

LONDON – Ace midfielder David Beckham has said that insists he still has a chance of making a sensational England comeback.

Beckham is targeting a loan move to a major European club to try to force Three Lions boss Fabio Capello to consider him for selction.

Beckham denied that he is past it, despite not …. Read the original article  : here.

Pakistan have to ‘play clean cricket’ on New Zealand tour, says coach Waqar

AUCKLAND – The Pakistan cricket team has to ‘make sure we play clean cricket’ on the tour of New Zealand, in the wake of the match-fixing allegations that have plagued Pakistan cricket, coach Waqar Younis has said.

“At the moment we are a very clean side and the boys are here to play good cricket as …. Original article  : Pakistan have to ‘play clean cricket’ on New Zealand tour, says coach Waqar.

Mourinho branded ‘cry baby’ for complaining about referees

LONDON – Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has been branded a ‘cry baby’ for publishing a list of complaints about referees.

Mourinho showed reporters a list of 13 instances of incorrect refereeing decisions, ranging from offsides, bookings and even the length of time added on in the first half, The Sun reports.

Seville coach Unai …. Source  : Mourinho branded ‘cry baby’ for complaining about referees.

No split in Chelsea players ranks: Terry

LONDON – Skipper John Terry has issued a furious denial that there are splits in the Chelsea dressing room and insisted his team are passionate about turning around their sliding season.

The team is without a win in five league games. They go to Arsenal on Monday.

The Sun quoted Terry, as saying: “I have seen …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : No split in Chelsea players ranks: Terry.

PCB Governing Council to hold ‘crucial meeting’ on Thursday

ISLAMABAD – A crucial meeting of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Governing Council will take place at the board headquarters on Thursday.

According to PCB sources, the governing council would discuss the audit report and accounts of the institution.

“The board members will get a briefing on the recently concluded series against South Africa in the United …. Source  : PCB Governing Council to hold ‘crucial meeting’ on Thursday.

Khawaja will be a standby for Ponting

SYDNEY – Cricket Australia (CA) Tuesday asked New South Wales batsman Usman Khawaja as a standby player for the fourth Ashes Test, if Australian captain Ricky Ponting doesn’t recover from a fractured finger.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Ponting will be fit in time for the Test, adding that Khawaja’s selection is only precautionary.
… Read this article on Gaea Times at : Khawaja will be a standby for Ponting.

Clark thanks Anderson for firing Aussies up with heated Perth chat

SYDNEY – Former Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark has thanked England fast bowler Jimmy Anderson for giving the Australians the required spark to win back the Ashes.

“The Perth Test was the most fiery performance I’ve seen from an Australian side since the controversial Sydney Test against India in 2008. It was after that match that … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Clark thanks Anderson for firing Aussies up with heated Perth chat.

Pak runaway wicketkeeper Zulqarnain confirms hiring new lawyer

LONDON – Runaway Pakistani wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider, who is presently seeking asylum in the United Kingdom, has confirmed the change of his counsel in London.

Zulqarnain verified in a message on social networking site Facebook that he had hired a new lawyer, Geo News reports.

He also stated that he was satisfied with the new counsel, adding … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pak runaway wicketkeeper Zulqarnain confirms hiring new lawyer.

Warne questions Strauss’s leadership, says he ‘misses tricks’

MELBOURNE – Legendary spinner Shane Warne has hit out at the functioning style of Andrew Strauss, saying that the England captain “misses tricks” when it comes to tactics.

Warne believes Strauss isn’t helping his frontline spin bowler Graeme Swann, and by not using him enough is also threatening to wear out his pacers.

He said England’s pace …. Original source  : Warne questions Strauss’s leadership, says he ‘misses tricks’.

Pietersen, Swann eye mega deals in IPL IV

LONDON – Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann are among six England stars set for IPL deals worth more than 250,000 pounds, provided they are bought in the auction.

James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Luke Wright and Mike Yardy are also set to go under the hammer next month.

The top six World Twenty20 winners have put … Original article on : Pietersen, Swann eye mega deals in IPL IV.

US suspected Allen Stanford’s ‘Ponzi schemes’ long before ECB deal: WikiLeaks

LONDON – The United States was concerned about rumours of “bribery, money-laundering and political manipulation” surrounding Allen Stanford even before the Texan billionaire signed a 20 million deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2008, according to a classified US diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks.

The concerns are revealed in a cable dated …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : US suspected Allen Stanford’s ‘Ponzi schemes’ long before ECB deal: WikiLeaks.

Tendulkar “a beacon of greatness representing true spirit of cricket”: Pak editorial

ISLAMABAD – Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, who created history on Sunday by becoming the first player to score 50 centuries in Test cricket, is a “beacon of greatness” representing the true spirit of the game, an editorial in a Pakistani newspaper has said.

“In the ever-changing nature of cricket because of increasing commercialisation, Sachin Tendulkar … Read more >>.

Shane Warne needs help, says pal Sir Michael Parkinson

MELBOURNE – Shane Warne’s pal and TV mentor Sir Michael Parkinson feels that the text-mad spin king needs help.

“When you see a friend who does something which causes you unhappiness you want to help, and I feel he needs help,” the [..] Read the original article: here.

Oz opener Hughes told to tighten technique if he wants to retain spot

SYDNEY – Australian opener Phil Hughes has been warned that his technique must keep getting tighter or he will be “left behind” as an international batsman.

With Simon Katich still nursing an Achilles injury, Hughes has the chance to establish himself as a Test batsman for the first time … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Oz opener Hughes told to tighten technique if he wants to retain spot.