Sports News – Newsletter for January 16, 2011

Divert Oz teenage athletes back to cricket: Border

MELBOURNE – Former Australian captain Allan Border has said that Cricket Australia (CA) must divert teenage athletes from Australian Football League (AFL) and other sports to rebuild the national team following the recent Ashes disaster.

Border acknowledged the battle for the hearts and minds of junior athletes was “tough” at a time when football codes market …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Divert Oz teenage athletes back to cricket: Border.

Redknapp is Fergie’s choice for England manager after Capello

LONDON – Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp should be England’s manager after Italian Fabio Capello completes his contract in 2012.

Ferguson believes there is no need to look any further than White Hart Lane when Capello’s time is up.

“If the FA are saying that the job has to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Redknapp is Fergie’s choice for England manager after Capello.

Tendulkar out of South Africa series, Parthiv to fly in

JOHANNESBURG – Sachin Tendulkar has injured his hamstring and will return home. As his replacement, wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel will join the Indian squad in South Africa for the remaining three One-day internationals.

Tendulkar, who injured his right hamstring while batting in the second One-day against South Africa Saturday, is the fourth frontline Indian player …. Read the original article  : Tendulkar out of South Africa series, Parthiv to fly in.

Harbhajan’s spell made the difference: Dhoni

JOHANNESBURG – Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni lauded the bowlers, particularly Harbhajan Singh, after the team’s remarkable victory over South Africa in the second One-day International (ODI) at the New Wanderers here.

Though Munaf Patel got the Man-of-the-Match award for his four-wicket haul, it was Harbhajan’s tight spell in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Harbhajan’s spell made the difference: Dhoni.

Hines Ward Awarded A Penalty

PITTSBURGH (GaeaTimes.com)- In a game filled with penalties, turnovers and scuffles, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens last night in the NFL playoffs played at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh. At one point, the Baltimore Ravens led by 21-7, they could not do much to ensure victory and Steelers went on to win the game. …. Source  : Hines Ward Awarded A Penalty.

Tendulkar to return home with hamstring injury

JOHANNESBURG – Sachin Tendulkar has injured his hamstring and will return home, making him the fourth frontline Indian player to be injured with just a month left for the World Cup.

Tendulkar injured his right hamstring while batting in the second One-day International against South Africa Saturday and did not take field in the second …. Read the original article  : here.

Munaf achieves career-best figures at Wanderers (Match highlights)

JOHANNESBURG – Munaf Patel recorded career-best bowling figures of 4 for 29 while Yuvraj Singh struck his maiden fifty in South Africa, as India clinched the second One-day International at the New Wanderers here.

The other highlights:
* Patel received the Man of the Match award for the second time in ODIs. … Read more »»».

Tennis ace Ana Ivanovic says split from beau affected her game

ADELAIDE – Tennis ace Ana Ivanovic says her break-up from her longtime love, Australian golfer Adam Scott, affected her game.

The glamourous player says her on-court performance suffered after the breakup in the middle of last year.

During the slump, her ranking fell outside the world top 50, and she lost in the opening round of Wimbledon.

“It’s … Read more : Tennis ace Ana Ivanovic says split from beau affected her game.

Grand Slam history beckons Nadal, but he insists he is under no pressure

MELBOURNE – The prospect of the 24-year-old Spaniard Rafael Nadal becoming only the third man ever to hold all four Grand Slam titles is the talk of this year’s Australian Open, which begins tomorrow, but Nadal himself insists that he feels under no more pressure than normal.

“This may be the only opportunity in my …. Original article  : Grand Slam history beckons Nadal, but he insists he is under no pressure.

Indian leads Malaysia to football glory

KUALA LUMPUR – Indian origin coach K. Rajagopal, who led Malaysia to football to glory in the recent AFF Suzuki Cup, may be soft-spoken, but his success proves that he is made of sterner stuff.

WHEN people talk about the glory days of Malaysian football, names such as Mokhtar Dahari, Santokh Singh and Datuk Soh Chin …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Indian leads Malaysia to football glory.

Stephen Fleming tipped to be next India cricket coach

WELLINGTON – As ex-India coach John Wright tries to rescue his country’s cricket team, former Black Caps skipper Stephen Fleming is a top prospect to be named India’s next coach.

According to The Telegraph of Kolkata, Fleming is expected to be succeed currwent South African coach Gary Kirsten.

Fleming has been coaching the Chennai Super Kings … Read more »».

Sri Lanka tries to buy top Kiwis for T20 comp

WELLINGTON – Several of New Zealand’s biggest-hitting cricketers have been given yet another opportunity to line their pockets with wads of dollars after receiving approaches to take part in the Sri Lankan domestic Twenty20 competition midway through the year.

The Sunday Star-Times understands Ross Taylor, who last Saturday became an overnight millionaire after selling for … Read more : Sri Lanka tries to buy top Kiwis for T20 comp.

Ethiopians rule at Mumbai marathon (Second Lead)

MUMBAI – Among the thousands who hit the streets for the Mumbai marathon Sunday, Ethiopians dominated the show, with Koren Yal winning the 42-km full run among women and Girima Assefa reaching the finish line first in the men’s category.

B.C. Tilak of India won the 21-km half marathon, reaching the finish line in a … Read more : Ethiopians rule at Mumbai marathon (Second Lead).

Oz Open: Nadal, Clijsters touted as favourites to win

MELBOURNE – A majority of tennis veterans associated with the Australian Open have predicted that Spaniard Rafael Nadal and Belgian Kim Clijsters as the favourites to win this year’s Grand Slam in Melbourne, given their form of the past year, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Former champion Pat Cash said: “We can’t look past the top … Original source on Gaea Times at : Oz Open: Nadal, Clijsters touted as favourites to win.

Grand Slam tennis: Nadal needs to be wary as Federer not dead yet

MELBOURNE – The numbers show that the 29-year-old Roger Federer is quite capable of pulling the plug on Rafael Nadal’s party in Melbourne during the Australian Open.

Former tennis great John Newcombe argues that the late 20s does not necessarily have to herald decline.

“I think I was playing at my absolute peak at 29 [in … Read more »».

Aaron Rodgers’ New Girlfriend: “Gossip Girl” Star Jessica Szohr?

LOS ANGELES (GaeaTimes.com)- A lot of new sporty love stories seems to be taking shape these days. The latest to get added to this list is that of Green Pay Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Reportedly, his new girlfriend is none other than the hot and sultry “Gossip Girl” star Jessica Szohr.
According to the sources, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Aaron Rodgers’ New Girlfriend: “Gossip Girl” Star Jessica Szohr?.

Amir Khan insists he’s not behind Jordan’s marriage split

LONDON – Boxer Amir Khan has dismissed claims that he is the reason for Katie Price’s split from Alex Reid.

The world champ came out punching yesterday and hit out at the “twisted” rumours publicly on Twitter that Katie had dumped Alex for him.

“I am no marriage-wrecker,” the Daily Star quoted WBA light-welterweight champ as …. Read the original article  : Amir Khan insists he’s not behind Jordan’s marriage split.

Ex-Test stars slam Oz selectors repeated snub of Hodge

MELBOURNE – Former Australian Test stars have called on the selectors to explain their treatment of Victorian Brad Hodge as he faces the prospect of being snubbed for the World Cup.

The 15-man Australian squad for next month’s World Cup is to be named this week and, it is unlikely to feature Hodge, who has been …. Source article  : Ex-Test stars slam Oz selectors repeated snub of Hodge.

Capello in dark about appointment of new England football coach

LONDON – Italian Fabio Capello has been left in the dark over the appointment of a new English coach to the national team set-up.

Football Association general secretary Alex Horne revealed he had a “preferred candidate” for the role and expected to have them in place in February.

The Telegraph quoted a source close to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Capello in dark about appointment of new England football coach.

Murray has two years to win grand slam title: Becker

MELBOURNE – Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker has said that British tennis star Andy Murray has only two years left to possibly win a grand slam title, and adds that after that, it would be next to impossible to do.

Warning that time is ticking away for Murray, Becker said Murray must take any … Original article on : Murray has two years to win grand slam title: Becker.