Sports News – Newsletter for January 30, 2011

Elite Oz batsmen becoming robots because of bowling machines: Smith

SYDNEY – Australia’s coaches must minimise their use of bowling machines and restrict throw-downs in net sessions in order to correct the flawed footwork of some of the batsmen, according to Warren Smith.

Smith, who the likes of former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson have … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Elite Oz batsmen becoming robots because of bowling machines: Smith.

Sarfraz Nawaz appreciates Pak’s ‘morale-boosting’ win against New Zealand

ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistan cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz has appreciated the national team’s win against New Zealand in the third one-dayer.

Pakistan levelled the one-day series against the Kiwis following a 43-run victory at Lancaster Park on Saturday.

“It has boosted the morale of the national team and would affect the performance …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sarfraz Nawaz appreciates Pak’s ‘morale-boosting’ win against New Zealand.

Donald terrific asset to New Zealand’s World Cup campaign, says Parore

AUCKLAND – Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Adam Parore believes that bowling coach Allan Donald is a terrific addition to the Black Caps team management ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

The former South African fast bowler was appointed as the bowling coach earlier this month, and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Donald terrific asset to New Zealand’s World Cup campaign, says Parore.

Yousuf, Malik omitted from 30-player list for Pak ‘central contracts’

KARACHI – Pakistan’s cricket selection committee has omitted names of senior players Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Danish Kaneria and Rana Naved from the proposed list of 30 players, who will be awarded fresh central contracts this year.

According to sources close to the selectors, the list has been submitted to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which …. Read the original article  : Yousuf, Malik omitted from 30-player list for Pak ‘central contracts’.

‘Old wives tales’ about footwear behind Oz bowlers injury

SYDNEY – A consultant for a leading sports shoe company has urged Cricket Australia to copy the AFL and order contracted players to wear specialised shoes after he discovered many wore modified cross-trainers.

A number of Australian pacers including Ryan Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson are injured.

Simon Bartold, the international research consultant for … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Old wives tales’ about footwear behind Oz bowlers injury.

How Hou Yifan became world’s youngest ever women’s chess champion

LONDON – Hou Yifan, who has become the youngest ever women’s world chess champion at the age of just 16, is a typical Chinese teenager who has worked almost unimaginably hard to make the most of her talents and opportunities.

But asked the sacrifices required for her daughter’s success, Hou’s mother, a 42-year-old nurse, chooses to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Clarke desperate to play grade cricket to overcome form slump

SYDNEY – To overcome his form slump, Australia’s stand-in skipper Michael Clarke has been desperate to play grade cricket for western suburbs in Sydney.

Clarke raised the idea of turning out for Western Suburbs with coach Tim Nielsen and national selectors earlier in the week, but the initiative was shot down as team management were keen … Read : Clarke desperate to play grade cricket to overcome form slump.

‘Back-to-back Ashes series could dilute interest’

SYDNEY – Australia’s leading experts on sports broadcasting, Colin Smith, has warned that back-to-back Ashes series could dilute interest in the oldest rivalry in cricket.

Smith, who helped broker Cricket Australia’s current telecast agreement with Channel Nine, which expires in 2013, said there was a risk of there being too much of a good thing.

“You’ve got …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Back-to-back Ashes series could dilute interest’.

Clijsters may reconsider tennis plans with Olympic medal beckoning

MELBOURNE – The weekend title success at the Australian Open may have Kim Clijsters even more confused than ever about her tennis future after the 27-year-old beat China’s Li Na to win her fourth major trophy.

“I do think this is probably my last full season that I will be playing,” said the Belgian mother …. Source  : Clijsters may reconsider tennis plans with Olympic medal beckoning.

Devon Alexander Loses To Timothy Bradley

PONTIAC (GaeaTimes.com)- All the ardent followers of WBO junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley were left extremely disappointed when the much-acclaimed boxer’s bout with fellow American Devon Alexander was halted in the tenth round following an intentional head butt. However, when the three-member judges panel announced Timothy Bradley as the winner of the much-anticipated fight, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Devon Alexander Loses To Timothy Bradley.

Murray says he is mentally stronger in comparison to last year

MELBOURNE – British No.1 Andy Murray believes he is mentally stronger heading into Australian Open final in comparison to last year’s straight sets loss to Roger Federer in 2010 decider.

Murray, who will become the first British men’s grand slam champion since Fred Perry in 1936 if he beats Serbian world No.3 Novak Djokovic on Sunday … Read more : Murray says he is mentally stronger in comparison to last year.

Clarke refuses to quit Twitter, asks critics to ‘take a chill pill’

MELBOURNE – Australia’s stand-in cricket Michael Clarke has said that he would not quit Twitter unless ordered by Cricket Australia.

Clarke, 29, has contributed a solitary half-century in 12 test and one-day matches this summer, but became embroiled in another Twitter storm on Monday.

Clarke felt compelled to Twitter in search of a date for the Allan … Read more »».

I will welcome responsibility of captaining Australia: Watson

SYDNEY – Shane Watson, who is being pushed forward as a candidate to succeed Ricky Ponting, would welcome the responsibility of captaining Australia.

Watson has been among Australia’s best players in a disappointing Ashes summer, and the team’s hierarchy has used his experience and leadership by having him front news conferences that are normally the domain …. Source  : I will welcome responsibility of captaining Australia: Watson.

Oz greats ask CA to come out with master plan for post-Ponting era

MELBOURNE – Former Australian greats fear that the game of cricket is crumbling under a leadership crisis in the country, and have urged Cricket Australia to come out with a master plan for the post-Ponting era.

With skipper Ricky Ponting entering his twilight years, former Test captain Kim Hughes said that deputy Michael Clarke’s form and … Read more >>>.

England’s World Cup campaign has been helped by injuries: Pietersen

LONDON – England batsman Kevin Pietersen has said that his team’s World Cup campaign has been helped by injuries to some of the players.

Bowlers Graeme Swann (back injury), Stuart Broad (stomach injury), and Tim Bresnan (calf injury) have all had time out with problems.

Broad is back with England in Australia while Swann and … Original source on Gaea Times at : England’s World Cup campaign has been helped by injuries: Pietersen.

Kenyans dominate Nagpur marathon

NAGPUR – Kenyans John Kui won the full marathon for men while Jem Muya won the half marathon for women in the third edition of the Nagpur International Marathon Sunday, which saw a participation of more than 1.5 lakh people.

More than 50 international athletes from 16 countries of Africa, Australia and Europe participated in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Kenyans dominate Nagpur marathon.

Houston Marathon 2011 Results

HOUSTON (GaeaTimes.com)- The U.S Half-Marathon championship 2011 that was held on Saturday in Houston once again saw a winner from the African sub-continent. Mohamed Trafeh of Morocco won the marathon championship going on to break the record that was set by the American Ryan Hall in 2007. While Ryan Hall had completed it for … Read more »».

Alissa Czisny Clinches US Figure Skating Title

GREENSBORO (GaeaTimes.com)- After disappointing all her fans with a dismal performance during the 2010 US Figure Skating Championships, Alissa Czisny was back in her best form on Saturday, delivering a performance that left the spectators gathered at the Greensboro Coliseum absolutely enthralled. The 23-year-old figure skater showcased a mesmerizing performance at the US Figure … Read more : Alissa Czisny Clinches US Figure Skating Title.

Buddhadeb pads up, bats for Eden

KOLKATA – West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Saturday urged International Cricket Council (ICC) president Sharad Pawar to reconsider the decision of shifting the venue of India-England World Cup match from Eden Gardens.

The ICC struck off Eden Gardens as the venue of the important India-England match following an adverse report from its inspection team … Original article on : Buddhadeb pads up, bats for Eden.

Japan defeat Australia to claim fourth Asian Cup title

DOHA – Japan Saturday won an unprecedented fourth Asian Cup title after beating Australia 1-0 after extra time in the final played in the Khalifa Stadium.

Substitute Tadanari Lee scored the only goal of the match for Japan.
Although both sides played a cautious game, there were scoring opportunities throughout the match, with Japanese goalkeeper …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Japan defeat Australia to claim fourth Asian Cup title.