Sports News – Newsletter for January 28, 2011

Gatecrashing Oz teen’s technique advice to Clarke slightly embarrassing: D’Costa

MELBOURNE – Michael Clarke’s childhood mentor and India-based coach, Neil D’Costa, has said that Australian teenager Daniel Brew’s advice to the stand-in skipper was ’slightly embarrassing’.

Brew became an overnight celebrity after gatecrashing Clarke’s pre-game … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gatecrashing Oz teen’s technique advice to Clarke slightly embarrassing: D’Costa.

BCCI asks ICC to reconsider decision on Eden

NEW DELHI – The Indian cricket board Friday asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reconsider its decision of taking away the India-England World Cup match from the Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata.

“We have written a letter to the ICC to reconsider its decision. Now it is up to the ICC to decide, but … Read this article on Gaea Times at : BCCI asks ICC to reconsider decision on Eden.

Premier League footballer’s ‘4-in-a-bed orgy with teammate, 2 brunettes’

LONDON – A video featuring a star Premier League footballer participating in an orgy with two brunettes and an international teammate has emerged.

He plays for the same top ten clubs as another ace who is at the centre of an alleged blackmail plot over a filmed orgy with three Swedish blondes.

The 47-minute film has shown … Read more : Premier League footballer’s ‘4-in-a-bed orgy with teammate, 2 brunettes’.

Shane Warne ‘wooed Liz Hurley back with Ping Pong the parrot’

LONDON – Spin bowler Shane Warne gifted lover Liz Hurley a lovebird called Ping Pong in order to woo her back.

The Aussie cricket legend is thought to have had the parrot delivered to Hurley in LA last week.

And she is now planning to teach the blue-fronted Amazonian bird, Ping Pong, to sing Waltzing Matilda, reports [..] Read the original article: here.

Sky Sports football presenter Keys’ wife defends his sexist jibes as “boys’ banter”

LONDON – Sky Sports football presenter Richard Keys, who resigned from his 500,000 pounds-a-year job over a sexism scandal, has been defended by his wife, who dismissed his sexist jibes at women as “boys’ banter”.

Keys announced his resignation on Wednesday, just 24 hours after his co-presenter Andy Gray had been sacked from his 1.7 million …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sky Sports football presenter Keys’ wife defends his sexist jibes as “boys’ banter”.

Man U star Edwin Van Der Sar to hang up his gloves in May

LONDON – Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar has confirmed that he will hang up his gloves in May.

“It’s been coming for a while. After playing for so many years, you reach a point where you have to make a decision. There are a couple of things to consider – whether you still have …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Man U star Edwin Van Der Sar to hang up his gloves in May.

Jeff Fisher Leaves Tennessee Titans

NASHVILLE (GaeaTimes.com)- The football arena was rendered an all of a sudden shock after the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night anno0unced that the team will no longer have Jeff Fisher as their head coach. That the 52 year old coach who has been the longest-tenured coach of NFL will no longer stick to his …. Read the original article  : here.

India can emerge as world champions if players play to potential: Kapil Dev

DUBAI – Kapil Dev, the man who lifted the World Cup for India in 1983 believes that India has the strongest batting line up in the world, and has the potential to lift this year’s World Cup being played in the Indian subcontinent.

Answering a query from Gulf News on whether India has a balanced team, …. Source  : India can emerge as world champions if players play to potential: Kapil Dev.

Tendulkar, the right choice for ICC WC brand ambassador: Kapil Dev

DUBAI – Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev has praised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for selecting batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar as its brand ambassador for the 2011 World Cup.

“I am thankful to ICC for naming Tendulkar as the brand ambassador of the World Cup. I am happy they did not pick any film …. Source  : Tendulkar, the right choice for ICC WC brand ambassador: Kapil Dev.

Injured Tait doubtful for Brisbane ODI against England

BRISBANE – Continuing doubts over the fitness of Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait have left the selection of the pace attack for Sunday’s fifth ODI against England up in the air.

Tait, on the comeback trail from a three-month lay-off following elbow surgery last October, injured a gluteus muscle in Australia’s win over England in Hobart … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Injured Tait doubtful for Brisbane ODI against England.

Johnson to use flood spirit as motivation for Brisbane ODI comeback

BRISBANE – Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson insists that the spirit shown in flood-affected Queensland will lift the team in Sunday’s fifth ODI against England.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian team visited some of the state’s worst hit areas around Goodna west of Brisbane on Friday, and was touched by what they saw.

“Days …. Source article  : Johnson to use flood spirit as motivation for Brisbane ODI comeback.

Honest toiler Ferrer likes his obscurity, Murray admits to being under pressure

MELBOURNE – Australian Open semi-finalist David Ferrer, it seems, enjoys anonymity.

A long-standing member of the tennis elite, Ferrer chases neither attention nor publicity or fame.

According to the Herald Sun, he is, in an old-fashioned sense, an honest toiler, and if he had his way, he would rather be seen, not heard.

The indefatigable Spaniard is also … Original article on : Honest toiler Ferrer likes his obscurity, Murray admits to being under pressure.

Smith backs run-choked Clarke to fire in remaining ODIs against England

SYDNEY – Australian all-rounder Steve Smith believes that struggling stand-in captain Michael Clarke will come out stronger in the remaining matches of the ODI series against England.

Clarke has made only 70 runs at an average of 17.50 in four ODIs against England, which follows his miserable average of 21 in the Ashes series.
“He is working …. Original article  : Smith backs run-choked Clarke to fire in remaining ODIs against England.

ICL stonewalling Pak cricketers’ 2.2 million dollar overdue payment bid: Moin Khan

KARACHI – The Pakistani players who played in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) face a bleak future in respect of securing their pending payments worth two million dollars.

Officials who ran the ICL, which was not officially recognised by the BCCI or the ICC, refused to respond to former Pakistan captain Moin Khan, who … Read : ICL stonewalling Pak cricketers’ 2.2 million dollar overdue payment bid: Moin Khan.

Experience of no consequence in Oz Open final: Clijsters

MELBOURNE – World Number Two Kim Clijsters believes that her Grand Slam experience will count for little in Saturday night’s Australian Open women’s final against China’s Li Na.

Though it will be Clijsters’ ninth appearance in a Grand Slam final and Li’s first, the Herald Sun quoted the Belgian, as saying: “Everybody reacts a little differently … Original article on : Experience of no consequence in Oz Open final: Clijsters.

Liverpool rejects 35 million pound Chelsea bid for Torres

LONDON – Liverpool has dismissed Chelsea’s 35 million pound bid for Spanish striker Fernando Torres.

According to the Sun, Blues owner Roman Abramovich had personally set the offer in motion, after pinpointing Torres as his No.1 transfer target.

The move provides confirmation of Abramovich’s backing for manager Carlo Ancelotti.

However, a Liverpool source said: “Liverpool have …. Source article  : Liverpool rejects 35 million pound Chelsea bid for Torres.

Federer backs Murray to win Oz Open 2011

MELBOURNE – After losing his Australian Open semi-final match to Novak Djokovic, Swiss tennis great Roger Federer has predicted that Britain’s Andy Murray will win this year’s Australian Open title.

Federer, who was hammered in straight sets by third seed Djokovic – 7-6, 7-5, 6-4 – said: “I fancy Murray’s chances to go through.”

The Daily …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Federer backs Murray to win Oz Open 2011.

Botham warns critics ‘quality player’ Clarke will soon be over his ‘rough patch’

MELBOURNE – Former England all-rounder Ian Botham reckons that the current spate of criticism of stand-in Australian captain Michael Clarke is unfair.

Botham said that Clarke’s position in the team for the World Cup and beyond should not be questioned.

“He’s having a rough patch with the bat, but he’s not the first captain to go through …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Botham warns critics ‘quality player’ Clarke will soon be over his ‘rough patch’.

Schumacher vows to ‘fight for wins this year and fight for championship’

LONDON – Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher believes that 2011 will be his year.

Schumacher had a nightmare return to F1 with Mercedes team in 2010, and had finished 10th in the drivers’ standings.

It was the first season since his debut season in 1991 that the 42-year-old finished without a win, pole position, podium or …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Schumacher vows to ‘fight for wins this year and fight for championship’.

ICC takes away India-England World Cup game from Eden Gardens (Roundup)

KOLKATA/NEW DELHI – Leaving the organisers red-faced, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Thursday ruled Eden Gardens in Kolkata unsuitable for hosting the Feb 27 India-England World Cup tie due to its unpreparedness.

After the hue and cry over the last-minute scrambling to get Delhi ready for the Commonwealth Games last year, this is yet another … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ICC takes away India-England World Cup game from Eden Gardens (Roundup).