Sports News – Newsletter for December 23, 2010

Australians still vulnerable, under pressure: Pietersen

SYDNEY – England’s star batsman Kevin Pietersen Thursday said that despite Australia’s series equalling win in the third Ashes Test in Perth, the hosts remain “vulnerable” and under “extreme pressure”.

Pietersen said the way the baggy greens broke into celebrations and made statements after the win indicates they are still feeling the heat.
“When … Read : Australians still vulnerable, under pressure: Pietersen.

NY court rules golfers not obliged to shout ‘fore’ to warn of wayward shots

LONDON – Golfers are not legally obliged to shout ‘fore’ to warn fellow players of wayward shots, according to a ruling in the U.S.

According to the Daily Mail, the case was brought by Dr Azad Anand, who was struck in the eye by a wayward shot … Read more : NY court rules golfers not obliged to shout ‘fore’ to warn of wayward shots.

ICC Dream Team: Seven Indians Nominated

DUBAI, UAE (GaeaTimes.com)- In a bid to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one-day cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has undertaken a unique initiative in which its is asking cricket enthusiasts all across the globe to vote for the dream team of one-day international cricket. The list of 48 players who have been nominated …. Read the original article  : ICC Dream Team: Seven Indians Nominated.

MCG curator dismisses Englis media’s pitch conspiracy theories

MELBOURNE – MCG curator Cameron Hodgkins has dismissed English media’s conspiracy theories that he has prepared a Boxing Day Test pitch to give Australia an advantage.

Hodgkins said the drop-in pitch would have plenty on offer for spinners on the opening day before flattening out under the roller over the rest of the five days.

“It’s a … Read more >>>.

Pietersen won’t be taking yellow Lamborghini for a Melbourne spin

MELBOURNE – England middle-order batsman Kevin Pietersen will not be taking his canary-coloured Lamborghini out for a spin again in Melbourne.

The last time he was in the city, Pietersen was fined 100 dollars for clocking 75mph in an area where the speed limit was 62mph.

“I got offered the opportunity to drive a yellow car and, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pietersen won’t be taking yellow Lamborghini for a Melbourne spin.

Akram “disappointed” over Pak cricketers’ omission from fourth edition of IPL

KARACHI – Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram has expressed his disappointment over the likely omission of Pakistan players from the auction list for the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) bonanza.

“From what we are hearing, Pakistani players will again not be in the IPL, and this is so disappointing because frankly speaking, … Read more >>.

Australian team will draw its inspiration from Ponting: Haddin

MELBOURNE – Brad Haddin has said that the Australian team will draw its inspiration from skipper Ricky Ponting, who is determined to play in the fourth Ashes Test despite a broken finger.

Ponting completed training drills without any dramas at the MCG on Thursday and the Australia captain will step up his bid to prove his …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Nigeria probes suspended FIFA executive Adamu

ABUJA – Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has begun the investigation of corruption charges over disgraced FIFA executive Amos Adamu.

Last month, Adamu was suspended by FIFA for three years and fined 100,000 Swiss Francs (105,000 dollars) for breaching the code of ethics of the world football governing body over …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Nigeria probes suspended FIFA executive Adamu.

IPL will miss Pakistani cricketers, says Akram

KARACHI – Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram believes the Indian Premier league (IPL) will lose its gloss after ignoring Pakistani cricketers, most of whom he stressed are counted among the best in the shorter version of the game.

Speaking on the sidelines of a match featuring special children here at the PIA Academy Wednesday, the …. Source  : IPL will miss Pakistani cricketers, says Akram.

Man City told to offer 38 m pounds for Bosnian striker Dzeko

LONDON – Manchester City have been told they must smash their own British transfer record by bidding 38 million pounds for Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko.

Dzeko is City’s No 1 New Year transfer target as they aim an assault on the Premier League title, The Sun reports.

But according to The Sun, German side Wolfsburg is going … Read : Man City told to offer 38 m pounds for Bosnian striker Dzeko.

Only Man U or Chelsea can win this season’s Premier League title: Nani

LONDON – Manchester United winger Nani believes that only reigning Premier League champion Chelsea can deny his team the honour of winning the league title for the 19th time.

United are currently unbeaten in this season after 16 matches, and lead the points table by two points.

They have a game in hand on second-placed Arsenal and … Original article on : Only Man U or Chelsea can win this season’s Premier League title: Nani.

Venables feels that Man U, not Chelsea will be Premier League champs

LONDON – Former football star and manager Terry Venables believes that Manchester United and not Chelsea have a better chance of winning this season’s Premier League title.

In an article for The Sun, he says that while in August, he had tipped Chelsea to retain the title, he now believes Manchester United will be crowned champions. … Read more : Venables feels that Man U, not Chelsea will be Premier League champs.

Pietersen says Johnson won’t get England wickets again

MELBOURNE – England batsman Kevin Pietersen has said that Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson caught them by surprise in Perth, and added it won’t happen again.

Dropped for the second Test and recalled for third Ashes Test in Perth, Johnson took 6-38 and 3-44 to guide Australia to a 267-run win to level the five-match series at …. Source  : Pietersen says Johnson won’t get England wickets again.

Prior, Ashes rival Siddle to play for same team

LONDON – England wicketkeeper Matt Prior is all set to become a team-mate of his Ashes rival Peter Siddle.

Prior, who was overlooked for the one-day series after the Tests, is poised to sign for Victoria Bushrangers for this winter’s Twenty20 Big Bash event.

Prior, 28, made a century for England in their three-day match [..] Read the original article: here.

Harris considered retiring from cricket

MELBOURNE – Australian fast bowling sensation Ryan Harris, who took nine wickets in the Perth Test, has admitted that he considered retiring from first-class cricket on the eve of the Ashes.

Only six weeks ago, a troubled Harris was so worried about his chronic right knee injury that he thought seriously about discarding his baggy …. Read the original article  : Harris considered retiring from cricket.

New FA chief wants Capello’s successor to be English

LONDON – New Football Association chairman David Bernstein has said that he would prefer Fabio Capello’s successor to be English, which means Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is the huge favourite to replace Capello after Euro 2012.

Bernstein, who was nominated as the FA’s leader on Wednesday, said it was not just him who thought the …. Original source  : New FA chief wants Capello’s successor to be English.

ICC rejects Butt’s plea for delay in spot-fixing hearing

KARACHI – Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt finds himself in deeper mess after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected his plea to put off the spot-fixing hearing slated for Jan 6-11 in Doha.

In a statement early Thursday, the ICC said that after a lengthy teleconference Wednesday Michael Beloff, the chairman of the ICC Anti-Corruption … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ICC rejects Butt’s plea for delay in spot-fixing hearing.

When will athletes reach their physical limit?

WASHINGTON – Year after year, the sports fraternity witnesses old records being broken, be it in swimming or running. But what is the limit of this human physical ability? Will runners continue to accelerate off the starting blocks and reach the finish line in faster and faster times?

South Korean researchers Yu Sang Chang and Seung … Read : When will athletes reach their physical limit?.

‘Free spirit’ Symonds happy out of cricketing spotlight

BRISBANE – Former Australian Test player Andrew Symonds has gone from the glare of the spotlight to the anonymity of farming life in North Queensland.

In 2006, during the last Ashes series, Symonds was bigger than Santa Claus. Smiting balls into the crowd, taking wickets and throwing them down. Emerging from a car wash wearing only …. Source article  : ‘Free spirit’ Symonds happy out of cricketing spotlight.

Boasting Aussies are scared: Pietersen

MELBOURNE – England middle-order batsman Kevin Pietersen believes the Aussies are boasting and making big statements because they are under pressure to deliver.

In a far-ranging interview to The Sun, the man the Aussies love to hate gave his version of the sledging battle with Mitchell Johnson after which the fast bowler called him a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Boasting Aussies are scared: Pietersen.