Sports News – Newsletter for December 26, 2010

South Africa put India to bat at Durban

DURBAN – South Africa won the toss and elected to field against India in the second cricket Test here Sunday.

The start of the match was delayed by an hour due to a slight drizle in the morning.
India have made three changes to the side that lost by an innnings and 25 runs at … Original source on Gaea Times at : South Africa put India to bat at Durban.

Brit boxing ace Khan says he never tested positive for drugs

LONDON – Hitting out at drug rumours, Ace British boxer Amir Khan has said that he and Manny Pacquiao are completely clean.

Khan’s conditioning coach Alex Ariza claims Marcos Maidana’s trainer Miguel Diaz called him ‘a fraud’ following the Bolton boxer’s impressive points win over the Argentine in Las Vegas earlier this month.

Ariza even claims Diaz …. Original source  : Brit boxing ace Khan says he never tested positive for drugs.

Beckham’s European loan move in jeopardy over TV deal

LONDON – La Galaxy is reportedly not ready for a European loan move for David Beckham, as they don’t want to jeopardise a new lucrative TV deal.

Beckham had said that he still has a chance of making a sensational England comeback and is targeting a loan move to a major European club to try to … Read more : Beckham’s European loan move in jeopardy over TV deal.

PCB blames India for Pak players’ omission from IPL 4

KARACHI – The Pakistan Cricket Board’s Chief Operating Officer, Subhan Ahmed, has blamed India for the exclusion of Pakistan players from next year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament.

Ahmed claimed that India did not respond to queries about the participation of Pakistani players.

“We asked them about the participation of Pakistan players, but they …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Brit-Indian bride ‘was executed in cold blood’ in South Africa

LONDON – Brit-Indian honeymooner Anni Dewani, who was shot dead in South Africa last month, was executed in cold blood, a leaked medical report has suggested.

According to the Daily Mail, a document written by a paramedic who attended the scene states that Anni was killed after sustaining wounds to her neck and back.

The document was … Read more >>.

Southee hat-trick helps Black Caps beat Pakistan in opening T20

AUCKLAND – A hat-trick from fast bowler Tim Southee helped New Zealand beat Pakistan by five wickets in the opening Twenty20 international at Auckland’s Eden Park today.

Southee claimed five wickets in the space of just eight balls to finish the match with figures of 5-18 from four overs.

It is the first five-wicket haul by a …. Source  : Southee hat-trick helps Black Caps beat Pakistan in opening T20.

PCB confirms Pak players under Integrity Committee’s radar for clearance

KARACHI – The Pakistan Cricket Board’s Chief Operating Officer, Subhan Ahmed, has confirmed that some national players are under the scrutiny of the board’s Integrity Committee.

However, he declined to disclose the names of the players, who are being investigated by the committee before they can be given a green signal to play for the national …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : PCB confirms Pak players under Integrity Committee’s radar for clearance.

India won’t rely on South Africa’s poor statistics in Durban: Dhoni

DURBAN – Indian captain M.S. Dhoni has said that he is aware of South Africa’s recent record in Durban, where they lost to Australia and England in 2009, but insisted that it meant nothing to him.

India will face South Africa in the second Test, starting today at Kingsmead.

“We can’t rely on statistics as they don’t …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : India won’t rely on South Africa’s poor statistics in Durban: Dhoni.

Coleen trusts Rooney again, prepares to go on holiday without him

LONDON – After his cheating rocked their marriage in September, Wayne Rooney seems to be trying hard to win back his wife Coleen’s love.

The England striker is sending his wife and her entire family on a luxury Caribbean cruise, reports the Daily Mail.

And it seems Coleen is demonstrating that she trusts her husband.

Just three …. Read the original article  : Coleen trusts Rooney again, prepares to go on holiday without him.

Becks to face his sex scandal accuser in the New Year

LONDON – David Beckham is expected to face his sex scandal accuser in a US court hearing, probably after the New Year.

The soccer star was due to give a formal statement in the case before Christmas.

But his lawyers have managed to postpone the hearing until after his family festivities with wife Victoria and their …. Read the original article  : Becks to face his sex scandal accuser in the New Year.

Tiger Woods’ ex-wife furious as he will miss son’s b’day again

LONDON – Tiger Woods is embroiled in a new battle with ex-wife Elin Nordegren after revealed he will miss their son Charlie’s second birthday in February.

The 34-year-old golfer vowed to be present for his son’s birthday after he was in sex rehab and couldn’t attend Charlie’s first birthday party,” reports the Daily Star.

“That hurt a … Read more : Tiger Woods’ ex-wife furious as he will miss son’s b’day again.

Dhoni exhorts his team to play consistent cricket

DURBAN – Caught in a must-win situation in the second Test against South Africa to keep the series alive after the drubbing at Centurion, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni exhorted his players to play “consistent cricket” befitting the World’s No.1 team.

“We have played some good, consistent cricket throughout the year. Everyone has contributed… bowlers, … Read more : Dhoni exhorts his team to play consistent cricket.

Almeida agrees move to Turkish club Besiktas

BREMEN – Hugo Almeida has agreed a move from Bundesliga club Werder Bremen to Besiktas Istanbul, the Turkish side confirmed Saturday.

Besiktas have reportedly paid $2.6 million dollars for the Portugal striker, whose contract with Bremen runs out in the summer.
The 26-year-old has agreed a three-and-a-half year deal with Besiktas until the end …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Almeida agrees move to Turkish club Besiktas.

Cricket academy to come up in Srinagar with BCCI aid

SRINAGAR – The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has commenced the setting up of the first cricket academy here with assistance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The JKCA officials on Saturday said it is …. Source article  : Cricket academy to come up in Srinagar with BCCI aid.

I would love to score a century in my hometown: Amla

DURBAN – South African batsman Hashim Amla is bracing up for his maiden century at his home ground here to celebrate his 50th Test appearance.

Amla has had a dream run against India this year. The gritty middle-order batsman scored five hundreds in four Test matches, amassing 630 runs in last four innings. The Indian …. Read the original article  : I would love to score a century in my hometown: Amla.

PCB awaits IPL response on players’ participation

KARACHI – Pakistan’s cricket board Saturday announced that it contacted Indian Premier league (IPL) officials regarding the participation Pakistani players in the fourth edition but are yet to get a response from them.

Subhan Ahmed, COO of the Pakistan Cricket Board, told reporters here that the lack of response from the IPL led to the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : PCB awaits IPL response on players’ participation.

Zaheer’s return to boost India’s chances in Durban Test (Preview)

DURBAN – Speedster Zaheer Khan’s return will bolster the Indian pace attack and their chances in the second cricket Test against South Africa starting here Sunday at the Kingsmead Stadium.

India, ranked No.1 in Tests, suffered a humiliating innings and 25 runs defeat against the World No.2 team in the first Test in Centurion. Indian …. Source article  : Zaheer’s return to boost India’s chances in Durban Test (Preview).

Leonardo to replace Benitez as Inter Milan coach

ROME – Inter Milan have hired Brazilian coach Leonardo after firing Rafael Benitez six months into his tenure at the helm of the Serie A champions.

The club’s website announced late Friday that Leonardo, 41, signed a contract until Jun 2012 and will meet the team when they resume training Wednesday after a Christmas vacation.
… Read : Leonardo to replace Benitez as Inter Milan coach.

Pak committee fails to find clear motive behind wicketkeeper Haider’s flight to UK

ISLAMABAD – A fact-finding committee set up by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to look into the flight of wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider to the UK from Dubai has failed to find any clear motives behind his actions.

The Daily Times quoted the three-member committee of Subhan Ahmed (PCB chief executive officer), manager Intikhab Alam and … Read more : Pak committee fails to find clear motive behind wicketkeeper Haider’s flight to UK.

“Afridi is once again taking his bowling for granted”: Abdul Qadir

ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistan spin wizard and chief selector Abdul Qadir has criticised One-day International captain Shahid Afridi for taking his bowling for “granted”.

Afridi’s bowling was suffering a lean patch during early 2009, but after taking valuable googly tips from Qadir, he finished the 2009 ICC World T20 with 11 wickets at an impressive average …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : “Afridi is once again taking his bowling for granted”: Abdul Qadir.