Sports News – Newsletter for January 18, 2011

Pak-New Zealand test set for exciting final day finish

WELLINGTON – Pakistan needs 274 runs on the final day to win the second Test against New Zealand after bowling the hosts out for 293 late on the fourth day.

Umar Gul ripped through New Zealand’s tail, taking two wickets in two balls, as the hosts lost four wickets for seven runs late on Tuesday. … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pak-New Zealand test set for exciting final day finish.

Malaysian PM applauds ethnic Indian player via Twitter

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has congratulated national hockey goalkeeper and ethnic Indian S. Kumar on being named Asia’s best player for 2010 – through a Twitter message.

Kumar is the first Malaysian to win the award.
Kumar, 32, who is from Tampin, Negeri Sembilan state, was presented the AHF (Asian … Original article on : Malaysian PM applauds ethnic Indian player via Twitter.

Marsh to replace injured Hussey in next three ODIs

SYDNEY – Left-hand batsman Shaun Marsh will replace injured Michael Hussey in Australia’s squad for the next three One-day Internationals (ODI) against England.

Hussey injured his hamstring during the first ODI in Melbourne which the home team won by six wickets. The two teams next meet in Hobart Jan 21.
Earlier in the …. Original article  : Marsh to replace injured Hussey in next three ODIs.

Hue Jackson – New Oakland Raiders Coach

OAKLAND (GaeaTimes.com)- Hue Jackson for the first time will be assuming the role of a head coach after the Oakland Raiders decided to choose him as the team’s new head coach. On Monday evening the Oakland Raiders announced that they have chosen the team’s offensive co-ordinator for the last season Hue Jackson to lead the …. Original source  : Hue Jackson – New Oakland Raiders Coach.

Kiwi TV journalist continues to ’stalk’ Maria Sharapova

MELBOURNE – A New Zealand television journalist once again disrupted Maria Sharapova’s post-match media conference after the tennis star accused him of stalking her.

This is the third time the man has appeared when Sharapova was slated to speak during the past two weeks, reports Perth now.

The journalist first bobbed up at the Auckland Open then … Original article on : Kiwi TV journalist continues to ’stalk’ Maria Sharapova.

Johnson’s selection puts pressure on Oz coaching staff: Blewett

MELBOURNE – Fast bowler Mitchell Johnson’s inclusion in Australia’s World Cup squad has placed added pressure on Johnson and the coaching staff to ensure he’s up to the task, according to Greg Blewett.

Speaking to foxsports.com.au following his comments on Inside Cricket that Johnson should be overlooked for the trip to the subcontinent, Blewett said …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Zenyatta: Horse Of The Year

MIAMI (GaeaTimes.com)- Zenyatta and her owners have been waiting for this moment for the last two years. Despite her consecutive victories, in all the preceding races, Zenyatta always ended up being the runner ups in the last two Eclipse Awards. However, no one knew that although she lost her race in the November Breeders’ …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Zenyatta: Horse Of The Year.

ICC endorses first class Test match played in ‘day and night’ format in Pakistan

KARACHI – Test matches in the ‘day and night’ format have moved a step closer to acceptance after the International Cricket Council (ICC) endorsed a trial first class Test match held under lights with a coloured ball in Pakistan.

“I don’t see any problems with the behaviour of the ball or playing under lights. This … Read more >>.

Watson one of the most valuable cricketers in the world: Roebuck

SYDNEY – Cricket columnist Peter Roebuck has described Australian opener Shane Watson as one of the most valuable cricketers in the world, based on his recent performances in Test, 50-over and Twenty20 cricket.

“Few batsmen hit the ball harder or straighter; few present as broad a bat or accept as much responsibility. He might not be …. Source article  : Watson one of the most valuable cricketers in the world: Roebuck.

England to focus on getting Watson out early: Saker

MELBOURNE – England’s bowling coach David Saker has said the team will focus its energy on getting in form Australian batsman Shane Watson out, after the opener plundered 161 not out at the MCG on Sunday.

Saker, who played eight seasons of first class cricket in Australia, including two alongside Watson in Tasmania, said the bowling …. Read the original article  : England to focus on getting Watson out early: Saker.

Pak vying to win ODI series against NZ to ‘gain confidence’ ahead of World Cup: Afridi

KARACHI – Pakistan will try to win “maximum matches” in the six-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 22 in Wellington, to gain confidence ahead of next month’s World Cup, limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi has said.

“The series is very important because it’s the last before the World Cup,” The Express Tribune quoted Afridi, as … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pak vying to win ODI series against NZ to ‘gain confidence’ ahead of World Cup: Afridi.

Germany to honour Paul the Octopus with shrine

LONDON – Paul the Octopus, who amazed people with his predictions during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is to be honoured with a “Paul Corner” at his former house nearly three months after his death.

Paul died at his home in Oberhausen in October 2010 at the age of nearly three years.

The Telegraph quoted a [..] Read the original article: here.

Doherty ‘basically shafted’ by selectors despite being economical: Bailey

MELBOURNE – Tasmanian captain George Bailey has said spinner Xavier Doherty has been “basically shafted” by national selectors, being more economical in domestic one-day cricket this season.

The left-arm tweaker was overlooked for the 15-man squad, in favour of dropped Test bowler Nathan Hauritz, despite having more wickets in domestic one-day cricket this season.

Bailey said he … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Doherty ‘basically shafted’ by selectors despite being economical: Bailey.

Clarke hits out at bar claims during MCG Test

MELBOURNE – Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke has rubbished claims of player misbehaviour during the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Witnesses had earlier claimed that Clarke and opener Phillip Hughes had been on a bar hopping spree before the third day of the MCG Test, which Australia eventually went on to lose by … Original article on : Clarke hits out at bar claims during MCG Test.

Kochi IPL to reveal name, logo and jersey in February

KOCHI – The Kochi IPL franchise Tuesday announced that the name, logo and the jersey of its team will be revealed next month.

The announcement came after coach Geoff Lawson earlier said he would like to name the team as Kochi Tigers.
“Nothing has been decided so far and what he said is his … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Kochi IPL to reveal name, logo and jersey in February.

Australian Open: Nadal barely tested as injured opponent quits

MELBOURNE – Rafael Nadal booked easy passage into the second round of the Australian Open Tuesday, with the Spanish top seed showing no mercy against Marcos Daniel as the Brazilian quit trailing 6-0, 5-0 with a knee injury.

Nadal, bidding for a fourth consecutive Grand Slam title, needed just three-quarters of an hour to advance …. Original article  : Australian Open: Nadal barely tested as injured opponent quits.

Oz cricketers Clarke, Hughes were ‘out on town’ drinking before losing Ashes

MELBOURNE – Australian cricketers Michael Clarke and Phil Hughes were ‘out on the town’ drinking the night before Australia lost the Ashes on home soil.

The Telegraph quoted witnesses as claiming that they saw Clarke and Hughes drinking at a Melbourne bar well into the night on the eve of their humiliating Ashes series defeat at [..] Read the original article: here.

Hastings a surprise selection in Australia World Cup squad

MELBOURNE – Inexperienced all-rounder John Hastings has been a surprise selection in Australia’s 15-man World Cup squad.

Michael Hussey was also named despite suffering a serious hamstring injury on Sunday. Hussey will have his rehabilitation program determined in the next 24 hours, but faces a race against the clock to be fit for Australia’s World Cup …. Read the original article  : here.

Scottish soccer star charged with rape during New Year house party

LONDON – Dundee United and Scotland footballer David Goodwillie has been reportedly charged with raping a woman during a New Year party in West Lothian.

The 24-year-old woman alleged that she was being sexually assaulted during the house party in Armadale on January 2 this year.

The BBC quoted Lothian and Borders Police as …. Read the original article  : Scottish soccer star charged with rape during New Year house party.

Becks’ Porsche sold for $217,100 on eBay

NEW YORK – A Porsche 911 owned by British soccer star David Beckham has been sold on eBay for 217,100 dollars to an anonymous bidder.

According to USA Today, the new owner will enjoy riding around in the over-the-top style that the soccer star and mogul is accustomed to – blacked-out headlights, customized rims, a [..] Read the original article: here.