Sports News – Newsletter for December 24, 2010

Melbourne Ashes Test best chance for England to retain Ashes urn: Vaughan

LONDON – The Andrew Strauss-led England team can secure the Ashes in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, according to former captain Michael Vaughan.England may find it has to win in Melbourne this week to secure the Ashes because the pitch at Sydney may well turn … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Melbourne Ashes Test best chance for England to retain Ashes urn: Vaughan.

Injured Anderson ‘looking very, very good’ for Boxing Day Ashes Test

MELBOURNE – England fast bowler James Anderson is set to overcome injury doubts and play in the Boxing Day Test of the Ashes series in Melbourne.

Bowling for the first time since he suffered a sore side in the third Test in Perth, Anderson appeared to show little discomfort in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Injured Anderson ‘looking very, very good’ for Boxing Day Ashes Test.

San Diego State Defies Navy Midshipmen

SAN DIEGO (GaeaTimes.com)- Irrespective of the slick field at the Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego last night, the home team did wonders after they successfully knocked off rivals Navy Midshipmen by a score of 35-14 at the Poinsettia Bowl. The night turned out one of extreme joy not only for the San Diego State team but … Original source on Gaea Times at : San Diego State Defies Navy Midshipmen.

Strauss backs ‘great fighter’ Collingwood to fire in Boxing Day Ashes Test

MELBOURNE – Despite the contrasting form of England batsmen Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell, captain Andrew Strauss has said that he was not inclined to switch them in the batting order.

“We all know what Colly is like. He is a great fighter and we’ve got great faith in him,” the Daily Express quoted Strauss, as …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Strauss backs ‘great fighter’ Collingwood to fire in Boxing Day Ashes Test.

Bangladesh won’t tour Pak before 2012 due to “tight schedule”: BCB President

KARACHI – Bangladesh has ruled out playing in Pakistan until 2012, citing the “tight schedule” of the national team, and not “law and order” issues, as the reason behind the decision.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Mustafa Kamal said that the national team was not in a position to tour Pakistan before 2012, but the Under-19 …. Source article  : Bangladesh won’t tour Pak before 2012 due to “tight schedule”: BCB President.

MCG curator says specialist spinner will be the key

MELBOURNE – West Australian left-arm spinner Michael Beer has found an ally at last, and he comes in the form of the MCG curator Cameron Hodgkins.

Called into the Australian squad for the Perth Test, only to be named 12th man, Beer could make his Test debut before a world-record crowd on Boxing Day if … Read this article on Gaea Times at : MCG curator says specialist spinner will be the key.

Getting ‘dangerman’ Hussey early key to England winning Boxing Day Test: Marks

London, Dec 24(ANI): Former England cricketer Vic Marks believes that Andrew Strauss’ team can win the Boxing Day Test of the Ashes series if they dismiss Australian middle-order batsman Mike Hussey early.

Hussey has scored 517 runs at an average of 103 in the series so far, which includes his career best 195 in the opening …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Boxing Day Test at MCG, the ultimate high for an Oz cricketer: Dean Jones

SYDNEY – Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones has said that for an Australian Test batsman to walk onto the MCG on Boxing Day is the ultimate high.

However, he adds: “If you’re not too careful, it could turn out to be the most frightening and worst experience of all.”

In article for the Sydney Morning Herald, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Boxing Day Test at MCG, the ultimate high for an Oz cricketer: Dean Jones.

Oz team Xmas party is no fancy affair ahead of Boxing Day Test: Clark

SYDNEY – An Australian team Christmas isn’t a fancy affair and will be underlined by the nerves that will be building for the players ahead of Sunday’s Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, says former fast bowler Stuart Clark

“Walking out before a packed MCG on Boxing Day is the Australian cricketing equivalent of a tennis player …. Read the original article  : here.

Record 90,000 fans at MCG will make Aussies feel ‘bulletproof’: Ponting

MELBOURNE – Australian captain Ricky Ponting thinks that his team will feel “bulletproof” if the first-day crowd for the Boxing Day Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground reaches an expected record of over 90,000.

“When you walk out on to the field on Boxing Day morning for the anthems and the ground is full, it … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Record 90,000 fans at MCG will make Aussies feel ‘bulletproof’: Ponting.

PCB awards ‘central contracts’ to women cricketers for first time in Pak history

LAHORE – In a first, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the awarding of central contracts to women cricketers, honouring the team that scooped gold at the Asian Games in Guangzhou last month.

The decision was taken at the meeting of the PCB Governing Council at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with Ijaz Butt in … Original source on Gaea Times at : PCB awards ‘central contracts’ to women cricketers for first time in Pak history.

Getting ‘dangerman’ Hussey early key to England winning Boxing Day Test: Marks

LONDON – Former England cricketer Vic Marks believes that Andrew Strauss’ team can win the Boxing Day Test of the Ashes series if they dismiss Australian middle-order batsman Mike Hussey early.

Hussey has scored 517 runs at an average of 103 in the series so far, which includes his career best 195 in the opening Test … Read : Getting ‘dangerman’ Hussey early key to England winning Boxing Day Test: Marks.

Ex NY Jets employee claims Brett Favre asked her for masturbation video

WASHINGTON – It seems Brett Favre’s troubles will not end anytime soon.

Jenn Sterger, the former NY Jets employee who allegedly received penis photos from Favre, claims she got a text message from the NFL legend in which he asked her for a video of her masturbating, sources told TMZ.

According to the sources, Sterger received the …. Source  : Ex NY Jets employee claims Brett Favre asked her for masturbation video.

England ‘won’t be overwhelmed’ by record 90,000 supporters at MCG: Strauss

MELBOURNE – England captain Andrew Strauss is confident that his side will rise to the challenge of playing in front of over 90,000 supporters on the first day of the traditional Boxing Day Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Strauss said that England would attack and go all out to defeat Australia rather than …. Read the original article  : England ‘won’t be overwhelmed’ by record 90,000 supporters at MCG: Strauss.

Ashes 2010: Fletcher says England must stick to their guns

LONDON – Former England cricket team coach Duncan Fletcher has said that though the loss of Stuart Broad has upset the balance of the four-man pace attack, England must not panic and stick to their guns for the remaining two Ashes Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

“England must react calmly to defeat (at Perth). I do … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Ashes 2010: Fletcher says England must stick to their guns.

Diana Taurasi Tests Positive

NEW YORK (GaeaTimes.com)- It seems being in the limelight for the wrong reasons has become a compulsive habit for basketball star Diana Taurasi. According to her lawyer, the noted stand-out and former University of Connecticut player has been found to be guilty of taking banned substance while playing in a pro-football basketball league in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Diana Taurasi Tests Positive.

‘It is going to take a fair bit to keep me out of Boxing Day Ashes Test’, says Ponting

MELBOURNE – Australian captain Ricky Ponting has said that he is a certain starter for the Boxing Day Test of the Ashes series against England despite having a fractured finger.

“It is going to take a fair bit to keep me out of this game,” he said. “I said after Perth I had a good chance … Read more >>>.

Ponting expects his ‘boys to play with emotion’

MELBOURNE – Australian captain Ricky Ponting is loving his team’s newly discovered art of sledging and aggression, and says that it would boost their confidence going into the Boxing Day Test of the Ashes series against England.

When asked if it is right that he has loosened up the reins on the team and said let’s …. Read the original article  : here.

Oz opener Hughes must bat with ‘positive intent’ to retain Ashes spot: Langer

MELBOURNE – Australian opening batsman Phillip Hughes needs to show “positive intent” in order to bat himself back into form, according to batting coach Justin Langer.

Hughes, who was summoned to replace injured Simon Katich, has disappointed by scoring two and 12 in the third Test of the ongoing Ashes series.

The 22-year-old is yet to make … Read : Oz opener Hughes must bat with ‘positive intent’ to retain Ashes spot: Langer.

Gillette won’t renew its endorsement deal with Tiger Woods

MELBOURNE – The Gillette brand has announced that it will cut ties with golfer Tiger Woods at the end of the year.

The brand, known for its shaving products, used Woods, Roger Federer, Lionel Messi and dozens of other athletes as part of its three-year “Gillette Champions” marketing campaign, reports News.com.au.

Now Owner Procter and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gillette won’t renew its endorsement deal with Tiger Woods.