Sports News – Newsletter for January 3, 2011

I want to be captain England, says Cook

LONDON – England opening batsman Alistair Cook dreams of leading the team after full-time captain Andrew Strauss quits.

Cook has been groomed as Strauss’ heir apparent for the past two years and stood in for him during England’s Bangladesh tour last spring.
“If it comes my way, it would be a huge honour … Original article on : I want to be captain England, says Cook.

Coe backs Beckham as coach of British 2012 Olympic football team

LONDON – David Beckham has been backed as a potential coach of the British 2012 Olympic football team.

London 2012 organising committee chairman Sebastian Coe has said that Beckham can play a key role, despite having no say in picking a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Coe backs Beckham as coach of British 2012 Olympic football team.

Manchester City agrees to pay 27 million pounds for Dzeko

LONDON – Manchester City has agreed a 27 million pounds cut-price fee with Wolfsburg for highly-rated Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko.

Representatives from City thrashed out a deal with Steve McClaren’s struggling Bundesliga club over the weekend.

Dzeko is likely … Read more : Manchester City agrees to pay 27 million pounds for Dzeko.

Blackburn’s Indian owners left red-faced over Ronaldinho Twitter claim

LONDON – Brazil winger Ronaldinho has become the central figure in the latest embarrassment to befall Blackburn Rovers’ Indian owners, Venky’s, following a Twitter post suggesting that they had offered the AC Milan ace a six million pounds a year deal.

The statement on Venky’s Twitter page said: “Venky’s trying hard to get Ronaldinho for two … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Blackburn’s Indian owners left red-faced over Ronaldinho Twitter claim.

Ancelotti banking on transfer window to save Chelsea job

LONDON – Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is banking on a transfer hand-out from the club’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich to help him save his job.

Ancelotti is hanging on by his fingertips at Stamford Bridge, after reigning Premier League champions Chelsea slipped to fifth place in this season’s title race.

The Blues have won only once in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Ancelotti banking on transfer window to save Chelsea job.

Afridi, Butt to discuss Pak World Cup probables, ODI squad for NZ series

LAHORE – Pakistan ODI captain Shahid Afridi will meet Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt at the PCB headquarters on Monday to finalise the probables for the 2011 World Cup as well as a 15-member squad for the one-day international series in New Zealand.

Afridi arrived in Lahore on Friday night for the meeting, after … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Afridi, Butt to discuss Pak World Cup probables, ODI squad for NZ series.

Seattle Seahawks Wins NFC West Division Title

SEATTLE (GaeaTimes.com)- Those who witnessed last night’s game between the Seattle Seahawks and the St.Louis Rams saw how the former crushed the Rams going on to snatch away the NFC West Division Title at the Quest Field on Sunday. It was undoubtedly Charlie Whitehurst whose outstanding performance on the field led the Seahawks to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Seattle Seahawks Wins NFC West Division Title.

Beckhham not a marketing tool, can buy any club he wants: Redknapp

LONDON – Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has said that ace midfielder David Beckham is so wealthy he could buy any Premier League club he wants.

Beckham’s pending loan move from LA Galaxy back to the Premier League has attracted criticism that he will be used as a marketing tool.

Redknapp is more determined to pull … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Beckhham not a marketing tool, can buy any club he wants: Redknapp.

Ashley Cole left ‘close to tears’ as Cheryl celebrates NY’s with new lover

LONDON – Love-rat Ashley Cole was left heartbroken after ex-wife Cheryl Cole jetted off with alleged lover Derek Hough to join a New Year’s Eve bash in South Africa.

They went to Cape Town hours after the ‘X Factor’ beauty exchanged Christmas gifts with the footballer.

Ashley was left shattered as pics of the pair confirmed their …. Original source  : Ashley Cole left ‘close to tears’ as Cheryl celebrates NY’s with new lover.

Strauss must stop ‘missing a lot tactically’ to gain world No.1 Test spot: Warne

SYDNEY – Australian spin legend Shane Warne reckons that Andrew Strauss must stop “missing a lot tactically” if England are to achieve their goal of becoming the world’s No.1 Test team.

Strauss became the first England captain to retain the Ashes in 24 years last week with an innings and 157-run victory over Australia in the … Read more : Strauss must stop ‘missing a lot tactically’ to gain world No.1 Test spot: Warne.

Premier League clubs must stand up against player power: Ferguson

LONDON – Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that striker Wayne Rooney’s contract stand-off last year has proved that the club would be “finished” if they ever allow players to become more important than the manager.

“The most important thing you have to have managing at our club, and I’m sure it is now … Read more : Premier League clubs must stand up against player power: Ferguson.

Ferguson has ‘no plans’ for retirement

LONDON – Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that all thoughts of retirement are firmly off his agenda.

Having changed his mind on plans to retire at the end of the 2001-02 season, Ferguson has since claimed that he would not work beyond his 70th birthday.

However, with United now chasing a record 19th league … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Ferguson has ‘no plans’ for retirement.

Sharapova starts year with New Zealand victory

AUCKLAND – Maria Sharapova survived a late change of opponent to advance to the second round of the ASB Classic as she defeated Italy’s Alberta Brianti 6-2, 6-3 Monday.

The Russian who last struck a competitive ball in early October in Beijing before ending her season early, faced Brianti as original opponent Carla Suarez Navarro …. Original source  : Sharapova starts year with New Zealand victory.

Randy Edsall Hired By Maryland Terrapins

ANNAPOLIS (GaeaTimes.com)- After twelve long years it is now the time for Randy Edsall to bid adieu to the Connecticut Huskies and move on to his new team. Yes the head coach of the Connecticut Huskies has been freshly roped in by Maryland Terrapins as their new head coach. The Terrapins recently fired their head …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Randy Edsall Hired By Maryland Terrapins.

Collingwood may retire after Sydney Ashes Test

SYDNEY – England batsman Paul Collingwood has suggested that the ongoing fifth and final Test of the Ashes series in Sydney may be his last.

The 34-year-old is in the middle of one of the worst form slumps of his career, as his tally in the Ashes series so far is a paltry 70 runs at …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Collingwood may retire after Sydney Ashes Test.

Hilditch supports out-of-form Hughes to be long-term Oz Test opener

SYDNEY – Cricket Australia’s chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch has backed Phillip Hughes of being a long-term Test opener for the national team despite his unsuccessful run in the ongoing Ashes series.

The 22-year-old has made just 83 runs at an average of 16.80 in five Test innings since being recalled to replace injured Simon Katich … Read : Hilditch supports out-of-form Hughes to be long-term Oz Test opener.

Pedro gives Barcelona 11th straight league win

MADRID – Barcelona opened up a five-point gap at the top of the Spanish Liga Sunday with a 2-1 home defeat of lowly Levante.

Barca’s goals were scored by Spain winger Pedro, both of them set up by right-back Dani Alves. Christian Stuani pulled back a late goal for Levante, but Barca had few problems …. Source  : Pedro gives Barcelona 11th straight league win.

Titleholder Sainz wins opening leg of Dakar Rally

CORDOBA – Defending champion Carlos Sainz of Spain won the opening leg of the 2011 Dakar Rally Sunday.

The former world rally champion completed the 788-km stage from Victoria to Cordoba one minute, 31 seconds ahead of his nearest rival, Stphane Peterhansel of France in a BMW.
Third place went to Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Kallis steers South Africa to comfortable 232/4 (Roundup)

CAPE TOWN – A resolute Jacques Kallis remained unbeaten on 81, guiding South Africa to 232 for four on the rain-interuppted first day of the final and series decider cricket Test at Newlands here Sunday.

Kallis was batting at a watchful 81 while giving him company was Ashwell Prince (28) at stumps after an absorbing …. Original source  : Kallis steers South Africa to comfortable 232/4 (Roundup).

Scoreboard: India vs South Africa, Third Test, Day one

CAPE TOWN – Scoreboard at stumps on the first day of the third and final cricket Test between India and South Africa here Sunday:

South Africa: first innings
Alviro Petersen c Dhoni b Sharma 21
Graeme Smith lbw b Khan 6
Hashim Amla c Pujara b Sreesanth 59
Jacques Kallis batting 81
AB … Read more : Scoreboard: India vs South Africa, Third Test, Day one.