Sports News – Newsletter for January 2, 2011

Tiger Woods’ ex-missus celebrates first birthday post divorce

WASHINGTON – Tiger Woods’ former wife Elin Nordegren celebrated her first birthday on Saturday since divorcing the golfer. She turns 31.t has been reported that Nordegren spent the holidays in her native Sweden to visit her mother, politician Barbro Holmberg, reports RadarOnline.com.

2010 was …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Swann questions Oz selectors decision to sack Nathan Hauritz

MELBOURNE – England spinner Graeme Swann has questioned the Australian selectors decision to sack Nathan Hauritz.

Swann, the highest wicket-taker last year, was so impressed by Hauritz that he studied video footage of the out-of-favour NSW spinner before …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Clarke determined to put his mark on Oz team in Sydney Test

MELBOURNE – Stand-in captain Michael Clarke is determined to take control of the team in the final Ashes Test at the SCG.

There will surely be surprises awaiting Clarke too across his first Test in charge, for while Ricky Ponting will remain … Original article on : Clarke determined to put his mark on Oz team in Sydney Test.

Aussies must follow Ponting to ‘leave all stress in locker’: Hussey

SYDNEY – Australian batsman Michael Hussey has advised his teammates to follow the example of injured captain Ricky Ponting, and keep a clear mind at the crease regardless of external pressure.

Australia currently trails the five-match Ashes series 2-1, with the final Test to be played … Read : Aussies must follow Ponting to ‘leave all stress in locker’: Hussey.

Malik, Akmal doubtful for Pakistani World Cup squad

KARACHI – Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal have so far been unable to obtain a clean chit from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and remain doubtful to feature in the World Cup squad.

The duo has failed to provide convincing answers to queries by PCBs integrity committee, well-placed sources were quoted … Read more »».

India elect to field against South Africa

CAPE TOWN – Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and decided to field against South Africa in the third and last Test match at Newlands here Sunday.

India made one change in the side, bringing in Gautam Gambhir in place of Murali Vijay. South Africa have retained the same team.
India defeated South … Read this article on Gaea Times at : India elect to field against South Africa.

Afridi in Pakistan to discuss World Cup probables (Lead, Superseding earlier story)

KARACHI – Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi will meet board chairman Ijaz Butt at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) headquarters in Lahore Monday to finalise the probables for the 2011 World Cup and the 15-man squad for the ODI series in New Zealand.

Afridi arrived in Lahore Friday night from Christchurch after the end of the …. Source article  : Afridi in Pakistan to discuss World Cup probables (Lead, Superseding earlier story).

Hussey backs Clarke to be an aggressive skipper during Sydney Test

SYDNEY – Australian batsman Michael Hussey reckons that Michael Clarke would be an aggressive captain during the fifth and final Test of the Ashes series, starting in Sydney on Monday.

Clarke was named captain after Ricky Ponting was ruled out of the match after x-rays on his broken finger showed that the fracture had moved during … Read more >>>.

72 Australian players on list for Indian Premier League auction

SYDNEY – Fast bowlers Doug Bollinger, Shaun Tait, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Stuart Clark are among the 72 Australian players whose nominations for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction have been accepted.

The auction for the fourth season of the tournament would be held in Bangalore on January 8 and 9.

It will be the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

English Premier League clubs vie to cash on Beckham’s popularity

LONDON – English Premier League clubs lining up to try to tempt football superstar David Beckham back home from America after the ace midfielder expressed his desire to play football in Europe.

It is his marketing potential, however, rather than his on-the-pitch skill that is attracting bidders.

Securing his services would be worth millions of pounds in …. Source article  : English Premier League clubs vie to cash on Beckham’s popularity.

Afridi in Pakistan to discuss World Cup probables

KARACHI – Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi will meet board chairman Ijaz Butt at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) headquarters in Lahore Monday to finalise the probables for the 2011 World Cup and also the 15-man squad for the ODI series in New Zealand.

Afridi arrived in Lahore Friday night from Christchurch after the end of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Afridi in Pakistan to discuss World Cup probables.

Pele backs Beckham’s Hollywood career

LONDON – Pele has thrown his support behind David Beckham who wants to kickstart his Hollywood career.

He even offered to appear alongside him on the big screen.

The Brazilian legend starred with Bobby Moore and Sylvester Stallone in football movie ‘Escape To Victory’ and he is thrilled the film is to be remade.

“I was very excited … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pele backs Beckham’s Hollywood career.

Beckham likely to join Tottenham Hotspur on three-month deal

LONDON – England and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has given the green light to a sensational three-month move to Tottenham Hotspur during this month’s transfer window.

Beckham had previously ruled out a return to the Premier League except with former club Manchester United.owever, Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp said: “He just said that he … Read more »»».

Khawaja, Beer to make debuts in Sydney Ashes Test

SYDNEY – Pakistan-born batsman Usman Khawaja and spinner Michael Beer will make their debuts for Australia in the fifth and final Test of the Ashes series, starting in Sydney on Monday.

Stand-in captain Michael Clarke said that Khawaja would bat at No.3 in place of injured captain Ricky Ponting.

Selectors have also chosen to use the left-arm … Read more »»».

Thousands cheer start of 2011 Dakar Rally in Buenos Aires

BUENOS AIRES – A crowd of several thousand gathered Saturday in central Buenos Aires to cheer on participants at the start of the 2011 edition of the prestigious Dakar Rally.

The offroad race is to take place in Argentina and Chile for the third consecutive year, after security problems drove it out of its original … Read more >>.

Manchester United go clear at the top after win at West Brom

LONDON – Manchester United moved three points clear at the top of the English Premier League, for a few hours at least, after they clinched a 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion Saturday.

Wayne Rooney put United ahead inside three minutes with his first goal from open play since March but James Morrison volleyed West …. Source article  : Manchester United go clear at the top after win at West Brom.

Molik, Hewitt cement opening victory with Hopman mixed win

PERTH – Australia got off to a winning start Saturday as Lleyton Hewitt and Alica Molik won their opening tie 2-1 over Belgium thanks to a concluding mixed doubles victory.

Molik set up match point in the final tiebreak set with a winner followed by an error from young Belgian Ruben Bemelmans. Belgian Justine …. Source article  : Molik, Hewitt cement opening victory with Hopman mixed win.

Learnt a lot from Zaheer and Asif: Anderson

LONDON – England pace bowler James Anderson Saturday attributed a part of his success to seamers Zaheer Khan and Mohammad Asif and said he learnt a lot watching them.

Anderson has been in sparkling from in the Ashes series, picking up 17 wickets from four Tests with still a Test to go in Sydney starting …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Learnt a lot from Zaheer and Asif: Anderson.

Need to keep India under 250, says Smith

CAPE TOWN – South Africa captain Graeme Smith wants to put India under some pressure in the final Test starting here Sunday by bowling them out under 250.

“From our bowling point of view, we have kept India under 250 in three of the four innings. If we can maintain that – even get …. Source  : Need to keep India under 250, says Smith.

It’s a chance to create history, says Dhoni

CAPE TOWN – India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said Saturday that the team is geared up for a historic series win in South Africa when they face the hosts in the third Test at the Newlands here Sunday.

During the last series in 2006-07, India were faced with a similar situation when the series was …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : It’s a chance to create history, says Dhoni.