Sports News – Newsletter for January 9, 2011

Flower says Anderson, Swann snub by IPL priceless for England

SYDNEY – England coach Andy Flower has said the snubbing by the Indian Premier League (IPL) of fast bowler James Anderson and off-spinner Graeme Swann is a good news for him.

Anderson and Swann were unsold in the first round of IPL auction held in Bangalore on Saturday.

“The risk … Read more >>.

Kumble plays important role in building RCB: Mallya

BANGALORE – Royal Challengers Bangalore owner Vijay Mallya said Sunday that former India captain Anil Kumble plays an important role in building the team for the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Kumble, who lead Royal Challengers in the last two editions, is now a mentor for the team and Mallya … Read more »»».

KKR looking at options to use Ganguly

BANGALORE – Kolkata Knight Riders might have dropped their favourite son Sourav Ganguly from the team for the Indian Premier League (IPL)-4 but Chief Executive Officer Venky Mysore said they are willing to take him on board as a mentor the way Royal Challengers Bangalore did with Anil Kumble.

This, of course, he said will … Read more »»».

Ice-skating champ Johnny Weir has no time for sex

NEW YORK – Ice-skating champ Johnny Weir says he has no time for sex.

The 26-year-old has his hands full with skating, judging contestants on TV, recording music and penning books.

“People say I’m ashamed of myself for not talking about my … Read : Ice-skating champ Johnny Weir has no time for sex.

Former Kiwi Mr. Dependable Elliot keen to make it to WC squad

WELLINGTON – Till under two years ago, Grant Elliot was touted as the most dependable man in New Zealand cricket. He was the rock in a Black Caps batting order that was, at best, inconsistent, but in 2011, he is hoping for a berth in the …. Original source  : Former Kiwi Mr. Dependable Elliot keen to make it to WC squad.

‘Cricket Australia has to overhaul a flawed system’: Ian Chappell

MELBOURNE – Former Australian batsman Ian Chappell has urged Cricket Australia to instigate an independent review of all cricketing bodies in the country following the 3-1 Ashes series defeat to England.

“Cricket Australia has to overhaul a flawed system that was once the envy of … Read : ‘Cricket Australia has to overhaul a flawed system’: Ian Chappell.

Aussies set to unleash Lee, Tait in opening Twenty20 against England

ADELAIDE – Australian fast bowler Brett Lee is looking forward to joining forces with fellow fast bowler Shaun Tait in the opening Twenty20 international against England at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.

“I can’t deny it’s a bit of fun to be bowling when …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Paine plays down suggestions of becoming Oz captain

PERTH – Australian wicketkeeper Tim Paine has shrugged off former captain Steve Waugh’s suggestion that he could be a captain-in-waiting for the Test team.

With doubts surrounding the future of current skipper Ricky Ponting, Waugh had earlier discussed the …. Original source  : Paine plays down suggestions of becoming Oz captain.

‘Oz Olympic champ Thorpe undergoing training, comeback possible’

SYDNEY – Australian multiple Olympic champion Ian Thorpe is reportedly training in the pool and could be a part of the 2012 London Olympics, his manager David Flaskas said.

Flaskas said the 28-year-old player, who retired from swimming in 2006, has been training recently, but added that his to return to competitive swimming …. Read the original article  : ‘Oz Olympic champ Thorpe undergoing training, comeback possible’.

‘Australia can’t progress with Johnson in Test side’

SYDNEY – As Australia looks to rebuild following the humiliating Ashes defeat to England, the first step should be “to move ahead without” fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, according to Herald Sun journalist Jon Anderson.

Speaking on Fox Sports’ ‘The Last Word’, Anderson said that Australia … Read : ‘Australia can’t progress with Johnson in Test side’.

India forced to play Rafi in Asian Cup opener

DOHA – Forward Sushil Singh is ruled out of the first two matches of the AFC Asian Cup football tournament, having been suspended on disciplinary grounds, leaving chief coach Bob Houghton with no option but to include I-league top scorer Mohammad Rafi of Churchill Brothers in the 23-member Indian squad.

Sushil was suspended for elbowing …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : India forced to play Rafi in Asian Cup opener.

IPL auction: From a T20 start to tactical bidding (Afternoon Lead)

BANGALORE – After a rollicking Twenty20-like start Saturday, the Indian Premier League (IPL) players’ auction saw more unsolds than bought with owners resorting to tactical bidding without much money left in their purses for the second and concluding day of the auction.

Like the opening day, the owners again thought it wise to go for …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New York Jets Beats Indianapolis Colts By 17-16

INDIANAPOLIS (GaeaTimes.com)- Last night, the New York Jets successfully paved their way for the AFC semi-finals after they clinched victory against the Indianapolis Colts beating them by a score of 17-16. As evident from the results, it is not hard to guess that the night saw a nail-biting victory for the Jets who were hell … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New York Jets Beats Indianapolis Colts By 17-16.

New Zealand Cricket plays down Vettori’s health concerns

Auckland, Jan 9ANI): New Zealand Cricket has denied suggestions that captain Daniel Vettori could be suffering from a serious illness despite feeling lethargic for several days.

Vettori looked a shadow of himself in the field in Hamilton, as rumours about his health threatened to overshadow the first Test against Pakistan.

Team manager Dave Currie later confirmed …. Read the original article  : New Zealand Cricket plays down Vettori’s health concerns.

Steve Waugh for action only after Ashes loss emotions settle down

MELBOURNE – Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has called for patience in any review of Australian cricket, saying emotions need to settle down before anything is decided.

“It needs clear thinking and clear heads and just the hysteria right now, once that settles down, there’s some planning ahead,” Fox Sports quoted Waugh, as saying.

“Look at …. Read the original article  : here.

England outplayed Australia in every department: Botham

LONDON – Former England all-rounder Ian Botham has scoffed at Cricket Australia’s claims that there were positives to be taken from the humiliating Ashes series loss.

Botham said Australia had a mountain to climb with its cricket.

“I keep hearing from the Australian camp that they’ve done really well. God help you when you do badly then, …. Read the original article  : England outplayed Australia in every department: Botham.

England must dominate all forms of game to be declared a great team: Pringle

SYDNEY – One Ashes success, or even two in a row as it now is, does not a great team make and, having conquered Australia, captain Andrew Strauss must now set his sights on England beating other teams in other tournaments, feels former player and now Telegraph columnist Derek Pringle.

The World Cup, in India, …. Original article  : England must dominate all forms of game to be declared a great team: Pringle.

White ‘pinching himself’ after 1.1 million dollar IPL windfall

MELBOURNE – Australian all-rounder has said that his new 1.1 million dollar contract with Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Deccan Chargers has come as a surprise to him.

The 27-year-old, who was installed as Australia’s Twenty20 captain on Friday, was bagged by Deccan Chargers in an auction held in Bangalore on Saturday.

“Obviously it sits pretty well. …. Read the original article  : here.

‘Babes and Bikinis’ dominate England players Ashes series win celebrations

SYDNEY – England cricketer stars went the whole hog in celebrating their Ashes series triumph in Australia, and according to Mark Chipperfield, a journalist and travel writer, cocktail waitresses and Hollywood stars were present at the event that lasted more than the duration of Australia’s two innings in the just concluded Sydney Test.

Middle-order batsmen Kevin … Read more : ‘Babes and Bikinis’ dominate England players Ashes series win celebrations.

Pakistan routs ’self-destructing’ Kiwis by 10 wickets to win Hamilton Test

HAMILTON – Pakistan thrashed New Zealand by 10 wickets in the opening Test held at the Seddon Park in Hamilton.

It came after the Black Caps self-destructed in their second innings on day three on Sunday by being all out for just 110, Stuff.co.nz reports.

Pakistan had a simple task of scoring 19 runs to … Read more : Pakistan routs ’self-destructing’ Kiwis by 10 wickets to win Hamilton Test.