Sports News – Newsletter for January 29, 2011

Clarke says injured Ponting may yet take part in ongoing England ODI series

BRISBANE – Stand-in Australian captain Michael Clarke reckons that injured skipper Ricky Ponting may rejoin the squad ahead of next month’s World Cup in the Indian sub-continent.

Ponting had fractured the little finger in his left hand while attempting …. Source article  : Clarke says injured Ponting may yet take part in ongoing England ODI series.

Clarke ready to ‘train his backside off’ in quest to find form

BRISBANE – Stand-in Australian captain Michael Clarke has said that he is confident of bouncing back to his best ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

“Honestly I am definitely sick of talking about it (his form) and a lot of people are sick of reading about it,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted …. Original article  : Clarke ready to ‘train his backside off’ in quest to find form.

Rod Laver backs Murray to overcome Djokovic in Australian Open final

MELBOURNE – Australian tennis legend Rod Laver believes that World No.5 Andy Murray can break his Grand Slam drought by winning the men’s singles title of the ongoing Australian Open.

Laver says that Murray can overcome 2008 champion Novak …. Source article  : Rod Laver backs Murray to overcome Djokovic in Australian Open final.

Tour de France champ Contador vows to fight doping charge, possible suspension

MALLORCA – Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador of Spain has vowed to fight a proposal to suspend him and strip him of his 2010 Tour de France title.

Addressing a news conference in Puigpunyent on the island of Mallorca yesterday, Contador vowed to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Tour de France champ Contador vows to fight doping charge, possible suspension.

Torres urges Liverpool to let him join Chelsea

LONDON – Ace striker Fernando Torres has urged Liverpool to agree a deal with Chelsea that will benefit both himself and Anfield.

Chelsea will return with an improved 40 million pounds offer for Torres with the current Premier League champions hopeful …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Torres urges Liverpool to let him join Chelsea.

‘I’m just one match from Slam glory, insists Murray

MELBOURNE – Australian Open finalist and British tennis champion Andy Murray believes that he is only one match away from Grand Slam glory.

After beating Spaniard David Ferrer in a four-set semi-final yesterday, Murray has predicted that he will face a … Read more >>.

Injured Australian fast bowler Bracken calls it a day

SYDNEY – Australian fast bowler Nathan Bracken Saturday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket due to a persistent knee injury.

Bracken represented Australia in 116 One-day Internationals (ODI), taking 174 wickets at an impressive average of 24.36. Bracken also played five Tests but was never able to cement his place in … Read more : Injured Australian fast bowler Bracken calls it a day.

Two Pakistan umpires likely to officiate in IPL IV

MUMBAI – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may have reservations against inviting Pakistani players for the latest edition of the Indian Premier League, but two Pakistan umpires are certain to figure in the next IPL season in India, sources have revealed

According to top sources in the BCCI, Pakistan umpires Aleem Dar …. Original article  : Two Pakistan umpires likely to officiate in IPL IV.

Brisbane ODI win would be priceless for Queensland flood victims: Watson

BRISBANE – Australian all-rounder Shane Watson reckons that a series-clinching win in Sunday’s fifth ODI against England in Brisbane would prove priceless for the Queensland flood victims.

Moved by the fighting spirit in the devastated state, Watson said that players would donate the match fees along with an Australian Cricketers’ Association contribution totalling 190,000 dollars to …. Read the original article  : Brisbane ODI win would be priceless for Queensland flood victims: Watson.

Sky News ’sexist row’ presenters close to joining Al Jazeera TV

LONDON – Sky News presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray, who were accused of sexist comments against a British female referee during a football match last week, have reportedly quit to join Al Jazeera.

The duo had made derogatory comments against referee Sian Massey and West Ham United executive Karren Brady.

Following the controversy, Sky Sports … Read more >>.

Berbatov set 30-goal target, assured of long-term Man U future

LONDON – Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson has set Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov a 30-goal target and assured him a long-term future at the club.

Berbatov has only 18 months on his contract, leading to suggestions United might cash in on their 30.75 million pound record signing.

Ferguson, however, has been delighted with Berbatov’s prolific scoring … Original article on : Berbatov set 30-goal target, assured of long-term Man U future.

Trott not guilty of obstructing the field, says S. African umpire

BRISBANE – Umpires taking part in the ongoing one-day series between Australia and England have found nothing wrong with middle-order batsman Jonathan Trott’s determination to protect his wicket at all costs.

The Daily Express quoted South African umpire Marais Erasmus, as saying that Trott has been on the right side of the law in the one-day … Read more >>.

Savon Huggins Joins Rutgers Scarlet Knights?

JERSEY CITY (GaeaTimes.com)- Team North Carolina missed it by a whisk as Savon Huggins on Friday gave his verbal commitment to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights for the new season. The running back was successfully able to achieve the dramatic end as he went on to give a shock to the Rutgers by sporting a North …. Read the original article  : Savon Huggins Joins Rutgers Scarlet Knights?.

PCB sends clarification to ICC on ‘Aamir playing despite suspension’ issue

LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has completed its investigation into reports that pacer Mohammad Aamir, who is currently under ICC suspension over spot-fixing claims, had bowled in a domestic match.

The board sent the report to the ICC, which had earlier asked for clarification from the PCB as to how the 18-year-old played … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : PCB sends clarification to ICC on ‘Aamir playing despite suspension’ issue.

Oz coaching set-up needs overhaul: Bracken

SYDNEY – Retired left-arm swing bowler Nathan Bracken wants Australian cricket’s coaching setup to be overhauled so players can spend more time with individual mentors.

Bracken signed off tearfully on Saturday, a battered right knee pushing him out of the game earlier than the 33-year-old had wished.

He reserved particular thanks for another left-armer, Bruce Reid, as …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

US Figure Skating Championships 2011 Fever Still On

GREENSBORO (GaeaTimes.com)- It was the second day of the most esteemed skating event in the nation, US Figure Skating Championships 2011, and it was marked with the two most exciting events, Ice Dance: Short Dance and Men Short Program at the Greensboro Coliseum.
The Short Dance event was won by Meryl Davis and Charlie White. …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Man U midfielder Park Ji-sung retires from international football

LONDON – Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung has retired from international football after playing his 100th match in the Asian Cup semi-final defeat by Japan on Tuesday.

Park was not included in South Korea’s team for the 3-2 win over Uzbekistan in the third-place match in Qatar.

His international debut was in 2000 as part of … Original article on : Man U midfielder Park Ji-sung retires from international football.

Liverpool to sign Uruguayan striker Suarez for 23 million pounds

LONDON – Liverpool has agreed to sign Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez from Dutch club Ajax for 23 million pounds.

The deal for the 24-year-old striker is subject to Suarez passing a medical and agreeing to personal terms with the Premier League club.

Liverpool initially bid 12.7 million pounds for Suarez, but Ajax asked them to …. Read the original article  : Liverpool to sign Uruguayan striker Suarez for 23 million pounds.

Football matches postponed in Egypt for security reasons

Cairo, Jan 29 (IANS/AKI) Egypt’s Football Association has postponed all football matches scheduled for Saturday citing security reasons related to the ongoing wave of anti-government protests that have shaken the country since Tuesday, a news website said.

Federation board member Ayman Younes was cited as saying that security authorities had sent a formal letter … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Football matches postponed in Egypt for security reasons.

Sexy swimmer Luiza Hryniewicz to strip off for Playboy

LONDON – Gorgeous swimmer Luiza Hryniewicz is set to strip off for next month’s Playboy magazine.

The Polish stunner is set to make a few ripples away from the pool by posing for the world’s leading men’s magazine.

And topless pictures of the 21-year-old show that she’s certainly a big fan of the breaststroke.

“Swimming was fun, but … Read more »».