Sports News – Newsletter for January 15, 2011

Oz players tell Cricket Australia Board members to sack themselves

MELBOURNE – Australian cricketers have asked the cricket board to resign in the wake of the Ashes debacle, and have called for an independent commission to run the game.

Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke is consulting governance experts as part of a major review, which will report in October, and did not rule out the possibility …. Source  : Oz players tell Cricket Australia Board members to sack themselves.

Chelsea must win 15 of 17 games left to stay in Premiere League title hunt: Ancelotti

LONDON – Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has said that they must win at least 15 of their remaining 17 Premier League games to stand any chance of retaining the title.

Giving up hope of closing the nine-point gap on leaders Manchester United, he …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Chelsea must win 15 of 17 games left to stay in Premiere League title hunt: Ancelotti.

‘Frustrated’ Redkanpp all but gives up hope of signing Beckham for Tottenham stint

LONDON – Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has given the clearest hint that he will ditch plans to sign ace midfielder David Beckham.

He is frustrated because Beckham’s team LA Galaxy has delayed the midfielder registering with the Premier League.

Redknapp admitted he thought Beckham would be on loan at White Hart …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Cricket Australia must make cricket a more inclusive game in Australia: Jones

SYDNEY – Former Australian batsman Dean Jones has urged Cricket Australia (CA) to work harder to broaden its recruiting horizons.

“The process must start by making cricket in Australia a more inclusive game. One look at the Australian team can’t help, …. Read the original article  : here.

Pakistan on top after day one of Wellington Test against Kiwis

WELLINGTON – Pakistan were on top in the second Test against New Zealand, as the home team scrambled to 246-6 at the close of play on the first day at Basin Reserve, Wellington.

Ross Taylor starred for New Zealand by scoring 78 off 168 balls, while Pakistan wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal held …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pakistan on top after day one of Wellington Test against Kiwis.

Dumped Hauritz rewarded for astounding domestic performance in December

SYDNEY – Australian off-spinner Nathan Hauritz has bounced back from his disappointing Ashes omission by winning the Australian Cricket Association (ACA)’s player of the month award for December.

Playing for New South Wales (NSW), Hauritz took 13 wickets and made an astonishing 307 runs in the voting period.

He … Original article on : Dumped Hauritz rewarded for astounding domestic performance in December.

No international cricket match to be played in Pakistan, for now: Dave Richardson

KARACHI – The International Cricket Council (ICC) General Manager for operations, Dave Richardson, has made it clear that an immediate return of international cricket to Pakistan is not possible.

“Pakistan will not be deprived of any cricket… They’ll get as …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Nadal admits he is still not 100 percent fit

MELBOURNE – Rafael Nadal Saturday dropped a broad hint that his bid for a first career title at the Australian Open might not go exactly to plan.

The world number one said that a week after falling ill with a virus in Doha, “I am feeling better (but) I think not perfect yet.”
That kind [..] Read the original article: here.

Kenny Dalglish reckons his return can give Liverpool push towards derby glory

LONDON – Liverpool’s new boss Kenny Dalglish reckons that his return to Anfield can give the club a push towards derby glory.

Ahead of the clash with Everton, he said: “It can only help if the punters think it’s a positive … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Kenny Dalglish reckons his return can give Liverpool push towards derby glory.

‘Bargain-buy’ Vettori ideal IPL replacement for Kumble: Mallya

WELLINGTON – Royal Challengers Bangalore owner Vijay Mallya has said Daniel Vettori was the ideal replacement for RCB’s retired skipper Anil Kumble, and added that he “kept a little back” to secure the New Zealand captain amid the auction frenzy.

Mallya said: “Anil Kumble, who was our [..] Read the original article: here.

No one annihilated Australia in the manner England did: Fletcher

MELBOURNE – Ashes-winning ex-England coach Duncan Fletcher has said that he has not seen any team annihilate Australia in the manner England did during the just concluded Ashes series.

England thrashed Australia by an innings and 83 runs in the fifth and final Test … Read more >>.

Rob Ryan: Dallas Cowboys’ New Defense Coordinator?

DALLAS (GaeaTimes.com)- It seems like the search for the Dallas Cowboys’s defense coordinator is coming to an end for latest developments in the Dallas Cowboys camp is hinting that they are going to hire Rob Ryan for the post. Although, no such official announcements have been made with regard to the news but a message …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Rob Ryan: Dallas Cowboys’ New Defense Coordinator?.

We conceded three silly goals, says Chettri

DOHA – Ace striker Sunil Chettri blamed the defence as India suffered a 2-5 loss against Bahrain in their second Asian Cup Group C match at the Al Sadd Stadium here Friday.

Chettri, who headed in the second goal from a rebound, said poor defending saw India conceding four goals in the …. Original article  : We conceded three silly goals, says Chettri.

Hewitt seals AAMI title with win over injured Monfils

MELBOURNE – Lleyton Hewitt defeated Gael Monfils 7-5, 6-3 Saturday to win the Kooyong Classic, capping a perfect scenario for his first appearance at the Australian Open tuneup event.

But Monfils is facing trouble after apparently tweaking a back muscle as he led in the second set and now will need treatment before his start …. Read the original article  : Hewitt seals AAMI title with win over injured Monfils.

Asian Cup will boost football’s profile in India: Houghton

DOHA – Despite a 2-5 whipping against Bahrain, India’s chief football coach Bob Houghton praised the side’s indomitable spirit and said the Asian Cup experience will boost the game’s profile in the country.

In a high scoring match at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium Friday night, Ismaeel Abdulatif scored four times as Bahrain – who …. Source  : Asian Cup will boost football’s profile in India: Houghton.

Aussies face fight of their life to retain World Cup crown: Roebuck

SYDNEY – Noted cricket commentator Peter Roebuck reckons that the Australian team and management is not prepared for next month’s 50-over World Cup in the Indian sub-continent.

“World Cups are won by settled sides enjoying a run of form. Beset by injury, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Aussies face fight of their life to retain World Cup crown: Roebuck.

Akram backs PCB’s decision to retain Afridi as Pak ODI skipper

KARACHI – Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has backed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to retain Shahid Afridi as skipper for the one-day series in New Zealand, starting January 22 in Wellington.

Akram’s comments came in the wake of the raging debate over whether …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Akram backs PCB’s decision to retain Afridi as Pak ODI skipper.

Oz cricketers attending breakfast functions ahead of Tests ’supreme error of judgment’

SYDNEY – Blasting cricketers for jeopardising their preparations during the Ashes series, Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said Michael Clarke and Phillip Hughes made a “supreme error of judgment” in attending functions on the morning of Tests.

Clarke and Hughes attended the Shane Warne Foundation breakfast on …. Original article  : Oz cricketers attending breakfast functions ahead of Tests ’supreme error of judgment’.

Federer tips Nadal to win Australian Open

MELBOURNE – Defending champion and 16-time grand slam winner Roger Federer has tipped Rafael Nadal to win the Australian Open this year, as the World No.1 chases history.

Nadal is in the quest to become the first man in 42 years to hold all four grand slam crowns simultaneously.

Federer, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Federer tips Nadal to win Australian Open.

Indian sub-continent will be ready to host World Cup: Lorgat

MELBOURNE – International Cricket Council (ICC) chief Haroon Lorgat has said that the Indian sub-continent will be ready to host next month’s 50-over World Cup, although he that admits five grounds are yet to be completed.

The final is scheduled to be played on April 2 at the …. Read the original article  : Indian sub-continent will be ready to host World Cup: Lorgat.