Sports News – Newsletter for December 27, 2010

England coasting to victory in Melbourne Test

SYDNEY – An unbeaten century by Jonathan Trott Monday put England a commanding 346 runs ahead of Australia on the second day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The tourists recovered from a shaky start to post 5 for 444 at stumps and put a miracle recovery by the home … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : England coasting to victory in Melbourne Test.

Sharapova escapes, but snow stalls Roddick’s campaign

MELBOURNE – Bad winter weather is hampering plans of some top players to travel from North America to the southern hemisphere as the 2011 tennis season revs up from this weekend.

One player who escaped the wintery blast which enveloped Europe in recent days was Ana Ivanovic, who has arrived in Australia where she will … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sharapova escapes, but snow stalls Roddick’s campaign.

India bowled out for 205 in first innings

DURBAN – India were bowled out for 205 runs in their first innings against South Africa on the second day of the second cricket Test at Kingsmead here Monday.

Resuming at 183 for six, India lost the last four wickets for the addition of 22 runs.
Fast bowler Dale Steyn finished with six for 50. …. Source  : India bowled out for 205 in first innings.

Australia has suffered its worst cricketing day for 100 years: Roebuck

SYDNEY – After Australia scored a shocking 98 in their first innings in the Boxing Day Test, noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck believes that the Ashes is in England’s pocket.

With the hosts falling to their lowest Ashes total at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the venue’s 133-year history, the contest with England has for all … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Australia has suffered its worst cricketing day for 100 years: Roebuck.

Trott ton puts England in driver’s seat on day two of Boxing Day Ashes Test

MELBOURNE – Jonathan Trott scored his fifth Test century on Monday to help extend England’ lead to a massive 346 on day two of the Boxing Day Ashes Test in Melbourne.

Trott remained unbeaten on 141 off 278 balls, as the tourists finished the day on 444-5 in response to Australia’s first innings total …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Trott ton puts England in driver’s seat on day two of Boxing Day Ashes Test.

Saker’s role important in England bowlers dominating Oz batsmen at MCG

MELBOURNE – England’s bowling coach and former Victorian pacer, David Saker, has played an important role in restricting Australia on 98 runs, which tallied the lowest total against England at the MCG.

“I think there was a fair bit of it [David Saker's influence] there,” said former Australian bowler Damien Fleming.

“We know in Victoria they …. Original article  : Saker’s role important in England bowlers dominating Oz batsmen at MCG.

Out of form Ponting may lose more than Ashes

MELBOURNE – Australian cricket skipper Ricky Ponting was last night staring down the barrel of becoming the first Australian captain to lose three Ashes series since Billy Murdoch in 1890, but heir apparent, Michael Clarke, backed him to retain his job at the end of the series.

Exacerbating his woes, the 36-year-old is also in the … Read : Out of form Ponting may lose more than Ashes.

Obviously didn’t show enough discipline, says Clarke

MELBOURNE – Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke slammed the performance of his side after they were bowled out for a paltry 98 runs in the first innings of the fourth Ashes Test against England here Sunday.

“Our shot selection wasn’t great, no doubt. I think all of our wickets were caught behind the wicket, so there …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Obviously didn’t show enough discipline, says Clarke.

Vettori on target to face Pakistan in Test series

AUCKLAND – Skipper Daniel Vettori has said that he is on target to return to the Black Caps squad for the test series against Pakistan.

Vettori, who is sitting out of the three Twenty20 matches against the tourists to rest an injured back, is looking to get some cricket under his belt before the first test …. Read the original article  : Vettori on target to face Pakistan in Test series.

Vettori on target to face Pakistan in Test series

AUCKLAND – Skipper Daniel Vettori has said that he is on target to return to the Black Caps squad for the test series against Pakistan.

Vettori, who is sitting out of the three Twenty20 matches against the tourists to rest an injured back, is looking to get some cricket under his belt before the first test … Read more : Vettori on target to face Pakistan in Test series.

Afridi says Eden Park not fit to host ODI

AUCKLAND – Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has said that the redeveloped Eden Park cricket ground here is okay for Twenty20 internationals, but not for 50-over one-day internationals.

The pitch at the Auckland ground has been rotated 45 degrees clockwise, so that it runs parallel to where the halfway line of the rugby field would be. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Afridi says Eden Park not fit to host ODI.

Under Coach Wright, Black Caps get into winning habit at last

AUCKLAND – New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee’s hattrick helped his team register a victory against Pakistan in Sunday’s Twenty20 international.

New Zealand beat Pakistan by five wickets with 17 balls to spare in yesterday’s Twenty20 series opener in Auckland. Not since August had New Zealand ticked the ‘W’ column, in Sri Lanka, 11 one-day internationals …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Under Coach Wright, Black Caps get into winning habit at last.

Oz players crossed line in Perth Test: Flintoff

SYDNEY – Hitting out at the Australian players for their mindless sledging during the Perth Test, former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff described it as “outright abuse”.

Flintoff said Australia crossed the line in Perth, particularly Peter Siddle, whose send-off to Matt Prior saw the England wicketkeeper react by allegedly asking the Victorian to come outside …. Source article  : Oz players crossed line in Perth Test: Flintoff.

Woods, Webber, Ponting top Media Monitors’ list of most mentioned sportsmen

MELBOURNE – Tiger Woods, Mark Webber and Ricky Ponting top the Media Monitors’ list of most mentioned sportspeople

According to Fox Sports and the Daily Telegraph, of the top 10, six are figures whose prevalence can be ascribed to off-field events as much as any sporting achievement – from affairs to drugs, break-ups to retirement.

Tiger Woods … Original source on Gaea Times at : Woods, Webber, Ponting top Media Monitors’ list of most mentioned sportsmen.

Klitschko brothers vow to send WBA champ Haye into retirement

LONDON – The Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, have stated that one of them will face World Champion David Haye in 2011, and promised to send the British boxer into retirement without his WBA world heavyweight title.

The British world title holder was due to face Wladimir back in 2009, but he had to pull out … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Klitschko brothers vow to send WBA champ Haye into retirement.

Langer criticizes Oz batsmen for poor batting

MELBOURNE – Australia’s batting coach Justin Langer has criticized his batsmen for their poor performance at the MCG.

Loose strokes by Phillip Hughes and Brad Haddin, and impatient prods by Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey and Steve Smith have almost finished Australia’s hopes of regaining the Ashes with the top seven batsmen making a combined total of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Langer criticizes Oz batsmen for poor batting.

Greame Smith thrilled at getting ’stolen’ Test cap back

CAPE TOWN – South African captain Graeme Smith has said that his match cap, which was stolen ahead of the ongoing second Test against India, has been returned to him.

“Big thx everyone, got my cap back! must have been @janbraai lamb offering…;-) quality crowd on boxing day, big for the boys,” Sport24 quoted Smith’s Twitter …. Source  : Greame Smith thrilled at getting ’stolen’ Test cap back.

‘Ex-cricketers like Rameez have ruined Pakistan cricket’, says Amir Sohail

ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistan batsman and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Game Development Director, Aamer Sohail, has slammed former team-mate Rameez Raja for saying that domestic cricket in the country is based on quantity over quality.

“I don’t know how Rameez Raja has the audacity to come on television and state that Pakistan cricket doesn’t have quality, … Read more >>>.

Noodle diplomacy by Taiwanese marathon runner

TAIPEI – A Taiwanese marathon runner who came second in the Antarctic Ultra Marathon said he helped promote his country by serving hot instant noodles to other runners in the sub-zero weather.

Tommy Chen, 24, returned to Taipei late Saturday, after winning the silver medal Dec 17 in the 100-km Antarctic marathon, which he completed … Read : Noodle diplomacy by Taiwanese marathon runner.

Brazil wins international beach soccer

RIO DE JANEIRO – The Brazilian national beach soccer team defeated the All-World team 6-2 to win the International Challenge of Beach Soccer.

In the match held in Sao Paulo, Brazil’s Bruno Malias and Benjamin scored twice Sunday while Anderson and Betinho added a goal each. For the All-World team, Madjer and Bukhlitskiy scored the [..] Read the original article: here.