Sports News – Newsletter for January 21, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
PCB introduces grading system for Pak umpires
KARACHI – The Pakistan Cricket Board has enforced a new policy of grading the performance of umpires in the wake of complaints against sub-standard umpiring in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final.
The tournament’s final match was marred by poor umpiring and players’ protests …. Original source : PCB introduces grading system for Pak umpires.
Federer, Djokovic into fourth round of Australian Open
MELBOURNE – Defending champion Roger Federer on Friday breezed into the fourth round of the Australian Open by beating Belgian Xavier Malisse 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
Federer, who endured a gruelling five-set epic against Gilles Simon in the second round, needed just an hour and 45 minutes …. Original article : Federer, Djokovic into fourth round of Australian Open.
Sania Mirza helping ‘disappointed’ hubby Malik in handling biggest crisis of his career
KARACHI – Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik, who has been omitted from the national squad for next month’s World Cup, says his wife and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has been very supportive during this most difficult phase of his career. … Read more »».
Plenty of fight left in Kiwi all-rounder Oram
WELLINGTON – Jacob Oram, a veteran of 141 one-day internationals for New Zealand, has brushed off his anonymous hecklers and has offered some wry humour by way of a response.
“I like to think that that comes from a place of caring and they view me as something … Original article on : Plenty of fight left in Kiwi all-rounder Oram.
How and Bennett now key Black Cap figures
WELLINGTON – New Zealand cricketers Jamie How and Hamish Bennett now loom as key figures in their country’s quest for the World Cup that is to be played in India between February and April this year.
Top order batsman How is the backup wicketkeeper, given Brendon McCullum …. Source : Gaea News Network.
England wicketkeeper Davies disappointed over World Cup omission
HOBART – Steven Davies has admitted that he is disappointed at not being named as England’s wicketkeeper for next month’s 50-over World Cup in the Indian subcontinent.
Matt Prior has been chosen in place of Davies in Andy Flower’s 15-man squad for the two-month tournament. …. Original article on Gaea Times at : England wicketkeeper Davies disappointed over World Cup omission.
Prior says Watson century should be benchmark for all openers
Hobart (Tasmania, Australia), – Recalled England wicketkeeper Matt Prior wants to become England’s version of Shane Watson, turning a solid 50 into a match-winning century.mpressed by Watson’s 161 not out at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the first one-day international against England at … Read more »»».
PCB boss Butt ’secretly’ leaves for NZ to decide on Pak captain for World Cup
ISLAMABAD – In the backdrop of former Pakistani players slamming the Pakistan Cricket Board for its decision to withhold the captain’s name while announcing the final 15-member squad for next month’s World Cup, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt has secretly left for New Zealand to … Read more >>>.
Indian businessman Ali Syed to buy La Liga club
MADRID – Indian businessman Ahsan Ali Syed is close to buying Spanish football club Racing Santander for a reported 30-40 million euros.
The deal between Ali Syed and the La Liga club could be inked Monday, Spanish daily El Diario Montanes reported.
“After studying options in different countries in the past months, we know that …. Original article : Indian businessman Ali Syed to buy La Liga club.
Australian Open: Federer beats Mallise, for record 57th win
MELBOURNE – Roger Federer beat longtime Belgian opponent Xavier Malisse 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 in a battle for old time’s sake and broke the all-time record for men’s match victories at the Australian Open in the process Friday.
The Swiss second seed, the defending champion bidding for his fifth career title at Melbourne Park, notched his …. Source article : Australian Open: Federer beats Mallise, for record 57th win.
Cautious Clarke raises World Cup risk factor
Hobart (Tasmania, Australia), – Acting Australian captain Michael Clarke is wondering just how many risks the defending champions can afford to take in their selections for February 19-April 2 tournament in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Ponting (broken finger) and Hussey (hamstring surgery) are on the sidelines and appear unlikely to take part in Australia’s seven-game …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Cautious Clarke raises World Cup risk factor.
Usman Khawaja joins Derbyshire
SYDNEY – Australian Test batsman Usman Khawaja will join Derbyshire for the upcoming English County season.
The 24-year-old left-hander will head to England from the beginning of the County campaign through to the conclusion of England’s domestic Twenty20 competition.
That means he’ll be eligible for eight County matches, six 40-over matches and the entire T20 competition, the … Read : Usman Khawaja joins Derbyshire.
Ric Charlesworth, the best man to coach Aussie cricketers: Roebuck
SYDNEY – Dr Richard Charlesworth is the best candidate to coach the Australian cricket team, feels cricket columnist Peter Roebuck.
Describing as a man of many parts, sporting and otherwise, Roebuck said Charlesworth has the “exposure, organizational powers and rigour needed to lift the team out of its current malaise.”
He said that Charlesworth has previously … Read more »»».
Once looking for a fight outside the park, Prior, Siddle are now pals
Hobart (Tasmania, Australia), – England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has revealed how bitter Ashes rival Peter Siddle has become his new mate.
Prior, 28, patched up things with Siddle while playing for Victoria Bushrangers in the Twenty20 Big Bash tournament Down Under.
But Prior’s stay with Victoria ended abruptly this week after two matches and one … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Once looking for a fight outside the park, Prior, Siddle are now pals.
Contractor blames Oz ministers for no action on 2010 Delhi CWG unpaid bills claim
MELBOURNE – An Australian contractor claims that he had written to the federal government over a month ago asking for help over massive unpaid bills and red tape from the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games organizers, but has still not received a reply.
Andrew Howard, the boss of fireworks group Howard and Sons, said that he had …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Contractor blames Oz ministers for no action on 2010 Delhi CWG unpaid bills claim.
Prior says his role will be to ‘turbo charge’ England to World Cup glory
HOBART – Recalled England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has said that he intends to use his experience and leadership skills to guide the team to World Cup glory.
Prior is the sole wicketkeeper-batsman named in the 15-man England squad for the two-month tournament in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
He had been replaced by Steve Davies in the …. Source article : Prior says his role will be to ‘turbo charge’ England to World Cup glory.
Black Caps move power hitters down the order for ODI against Pak
WELLINGTON – New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori has revealed that Brendon McCullum will bat at No 6 in Saturday’s first one-day international against Pakistan in Wellington.
Vettori told a pre-match press conference that McCullum would drop down from opener to six, with Jacob Oram at seven in a bid to replicate the side’s batting success of …. Original source : Black Caps move power hitters down the order for ODI against Pak.
Oz teen’s advice on Clarke’s flawed technique ‘right on the money’: Jones
MELBOURNE – The Australian teenager who advised Michael Clarke against “pushing at the ball” in order to find batting form is right on the money, according to former batman Dean Jones.
Seventeen-year-old Daniel Brew had gatecrashed a Hobart press conference on Thursday, and asked Clarke what he planned to do to rectify failings in his technique.
Shane Warne’s secret rendezvous with Liz Hurley in LA
MELBOURNE – Cricket legend Shane Warne has for the first time spoken – although briefly – about his relationship with Liz Hurley.
The spin king confirmed he hooked up with the sexy Brit in LA last weekend, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Warne has been trying to keep the reunion a secret after making a last-minute dash to [..] Read the original article: here.
Watson to become highest paid Oz cricketer with new $2 million contract
MELBOURNE – Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is reportedly set to unseat Ricky Ponting as the highest paid player in the country by signing a new Cricket Australia (CA) contract worth up to two million dollars.
Watson will claim the No.1 ranking when CA announces its new 25-man contract list in April.
The rankings are kept a closely … Read more »».