Sports News – Newsletter for January 14, 2011

Wrestling coach in US put on paid leave for calling Obama an ‘idiot’

WASHINGTON – An Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter has been put on paid leave from his job as a wrestling coach after he insulted President Obama’s intelligence and challenged him to a fight.

Jacob Volkmann said that he is under investigation by White … Read more »»».

Finch backs Aussies to bounce back in Melbourne Twenty20 against England

MELBOURNE – Australian batsman Aaron Finch is confident that his team can bounce back in Friday’s second Twenty20 International against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Australia had lost the first Twenty20 International at …. Read the original article  : here.

Cook awarded ‘Freedom of the City of London’ for Ashes heroics

LONDON – England opening batsman Alastair Cook has been awarded the ‘Freedom of the City of London’ following his exploits in the recent historic Ashes win over Australia.he ancient honour is given to those who have made an outstanding contribution to London life or to … Read more : Cook awarded ‘Freedom of the City of London’ for Ashes heroics.

Tribunal’s decision to defer spot-fixing verdict may be “silver lining” for Aamir: Lawyer

ISLAMABAD – The ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal’s decision to defer the spot-fixing verdict until next month can be a “silver lining” for suspended Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Aamir, his lawyer has said.

Shahid Karim, who represented Aamir in the spot-fixing case in Doha, was confident that … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Tribunal’s decision to defer spot-fixing verdict may be “silver lining” for Aamir: Lawyer.

Dakar Rally driver crashes in Argentina, one dead

CATAMARCA – One person was dead Thursday after a Dakar Rally participant crashed into a car that was not involved in the race.

The race participant, Eduardo Amor, of Argentina was arrested pending further investigation of the incident, the Argentine news agency DyN reported.
The dead man was identified as an Argentinian who was driving …. Original source  : Dakar Rally driver crashes in Argentina, one dead.

Australia-England Twenty20 match in Melbourne to go ahead

MELBOURNE – Cricket Australia (CA) has said that it expects Friday’s Twenty20 International between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to go ahead, with rain forecast to clear.

Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young, however, said that the International Cricket Council (ICC) would make the final decision on the match.

“Watching the radar it indicates … Original source on Gaea Times at : Australia-England Twenty20 match in Melbourne to go ahead.

Coach Mancini fines four Man City stars for fighting during training

LONDON – Coach Roberto Mancini has fined four Manchester City stars for fighting at training.

Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Mario Balotelli and Jerome Boateng were all hit in the pocket for training-ground ruckus, reports the Sun.

Mancini has guided City to second spot in the Premier League – despite fireworks from four big-name players.

Mancini …. Source article  : Coach Mancini fines four Man City stars for fighting during training.

Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko calls UK boxer Haye a liar and loser

LONDON – Ukrainian pugilist Wladimir Klitschko has branded David Haye a ‘liar’ and a ‘loser’ and questioned his claims that he will retire this year.

WBA champion Haye last week said he was ‘done’ with Klitschko and his brother Vitali, after talks over a heavyweight unification bout broke down when Wladimir agreed to fight Dereck Chisora …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko calls UK boxer Haye a liar and loser.

Chelsea midfielder Lampard wants to be club boss one day

LONDON – Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard has indicated that he would like to take up a management role in football one day.

Regarded as one of the brightest footballers in the game, Lampard used his recent injury lay-off productively to study the action from the stands and analyse what he might have done in …. Original article  : Chelsea midfielder Lampard wants to be club boss one day.

Dutch star Van Der Vaart wants to stay at Spurs forever

LONDON – Dutch football star Rafael Van Der Vaart wants to stay at Spurs for the rest of his career.

He has three-and-a-half years left on his contract.

The Sun quoted him, as saying: “I love it here. I love the players and I love the down-to-earth attitude at the club. If I have the opportunity, … Read more >>.

Tottenham coach Redknapp says Man U won’t last season unbeaten

LONDON – Tottenham coach Harry Redknapp has said that this won’t be a vintage season for Manchester United on the pitch.

In an article for the Sun, Redknapp said: “As good as they are, I do not think they are good enough to go through the whole season unbeaten. Even if they win the Premier League … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Tottenham coach Redknapp says Man U won’t last season unbeaten.

‘Talented’ Kiwis must beat ‘pretty average’ Pak in Wellington Test: McMillan

WELLINGTON – Former New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan insists that nothing less than a victory is acceptable for the national team against a “pretty average” Pakistan team in the second and final Test, starting in Wellington on Saturday.

McMillan said that the Wellington Test is the only chance to make up for the humiliating 10-wicket loss … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Talented’ Kiwis must beat ‘pretty average’ Pak in Wellington Test: McMillan.

Kamran has been supportive throughout my career, says Adnan Akmal

WELLINGTON – Pakistan wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal insists that his eldest brother, Kamran, had been supportive right throughout his career, even when he replaced him during the Test series against South Africa and the ongoing series against New Zealand.

“He is good to practise my wicketkeeping skills with, it’s great for me to have Kamran coaching me …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Tennis stars unite for ‘Rally for Relief’ for Oz flood victims

MELBOURNE – Tennis stars who are in Melbourne for the Australian Open, will take part in a charity event, ‘Rally for Relief’, to help the flood victims of Queensland.

Tennis Australia has organised the televised event, which will be held at Melbourne Park on Sunday, ahead of the Australian Open starting on Monday.

The international tennis stars …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Tennis stars unite for ‘Rally for Relief’ for Oz flood victims.

Franklin likely starter in Wellington Test against Pakistan

WELLINGTON – New Zealand coach John Wright has hinted that all-rounder James Franklin may be included in the final eleven for the second and final Test against Pakistan.

Franklin enters the frame as a fourth pace-bowling option and a top-six batsman.

Wright said changes were being explored after the embarrassing 10-wicket defeat in the first Test … Read more >>>.

Dalglish wants Liverpool cash to get new players

LONDON – Manager Kenny Dalglish has said that he will sit down with Liverpool owner John W Henry today to see if he will be given transfer cash this month.

Henry originally planned to wait until the summer to splash the cash, but new arrivals in the current transfer window are now vital, The Sun …. Source  : Dalglish wants Liverpool cash to get new players.

In Ponting and Chappell’s eyes, Watson is the key to Oz World Cup hopes

SYDNEY – In Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting’s eyes, the nation’s chances of winning the World Cup for a fourth consecutive time rest with New South Wales all-rounder Shane Watson.

“He would probably be the hardest player to replace in our line-up at the moment. I think the modern cricketer has to be much more adaptable …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Tiger Woods ‘possessive’ about ex Elin Nordegren

WASHINGTON – Love-rat Tiger Woods is reportedly ‘possessive’ about his ex-wife Elin Nordegren.

It has been reported that the golfer ransacked the Swedish stunner’s home to read her diary.

Nordegren told friends that Woods snuck into her Florida home over Thanksgiving last year, with the sole intent of finding her journals to find out details about her …. Original source  : Tiger Woods ‘possessive’ about ex Elin Nordegren.

No room for both Tait and Lee in Oz WC squad

MELBOURNE – Australia’s loss to England in the first of two Twenty20 matches in Adelaide a couple of days ago with both Brett Lee and Shaun Tait in the line-up, has led to doubts about both being selected for next month’s World Cup in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

There is also a view that Victorian …. Read the original article  : No room for both Tait and Lee in Oz WC squad.

Vettori recovers from mystery illness ahead of ‘must win’ Wellington Test

WELLINGTON – New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has said that he has recovered from his mystery illness, and will lead the team in the second and final Test against Pakistan in Wellington.

Visibly unwell during the second day of the first Test in Hamilton, which Pakistan won by 10 wickets, all sorts of rumours had circulated …. Original article  : Vettori recovers from mystery illness ahead of ‘must win’ Wellington Test.