Sports News – Newsletter for February 2, 2011

Decision review system won’t please all teams: Dhoni

NEW DELHI – India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels that the introduction of the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) in the cricket World Cup won’t make all teams happy.

The debatable UDRS will make its debut in the World Cup from the quarterfinal stages and Dhoni said the Indian team has done its homework on …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘Competitor’ Misbah says Afridi “doing good job” as Pak ODI skipper

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Test captain Misbahul Haq has come out in the support of incumbent limited-overs skipper Shahid Afridi amid uncertainty looming over the selection of the national team’s captain for the forthcoming World Cup.

While some former cricket greats are backing Misbah to …. Source article  : ‘Competitor’ Misbah says Afridi “doing good job” as Pak ODI skipper.

Becks ‘rapping to Posh’s baby bump’

LONDON – It looks like the unborn fourth baby of David Beckham and Victoria will become a rap fan.

Reports are abuzz that the England soccer player has been rapping to wife’s baby bump because he wants his unborn child to get used to his voice, reports the Daily Star.

He even ropes in sons Brooklyn, Romeo … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Becks ‘rapping to Posh’s baby bump’.

Cancer survivor Martina Navratilova shows off her fit bikini bod

MELBOURNE – Less than a year after surviving a breast cancer scare, Martina Navratilova turned heads, looked confidant and beach fit at a beach in Australia.

The tennis legend was spotted at the Bondi Beach in Sydney on Tuesday wearing a green bikini with an unidentified young friend along for company, reports the Daily Telegraph.

The 54-year-old …. Source  : Cancer survivor Martina Navratilova shows off her fit bikini bod.

Ponting starts preparation for World Cup

MELBOURNE – After a month on the sidelines with a broken finger, Australia captain Ricky Ponting has started preparations for his fifth World Cup.

Ponting faced a series of throw-downs from Australia batting coach Justin Langer and emerged drenched in sweat after the session.

“I’m not too bad, probably better than expected to tell you the truth. …. Original source  : Ponting starts preparation for World Cup.

Schumacher confident of podium finish driving his new F1 car

LONDON – Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is looking forward to driving his new Mercedes car, and is convinced that he will be back on the podium this season.

Schumacher failed to finish in the top three of any race in his comeback year last season.

He is much happier with his new F1 car …. Source  : Schumacher confident of podium finish driving his new F1 car.

David Miliband joins Sunderland as non-executive vice-chairman

LONDON – Former British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has joined the board of Premier League football club Sunderland as their non-executive vice chairman.

Miliband, who was Foreign Secretary from 2007 to 2010, will attend board meetings, help shape the club’s strategy, and promote its international and community efforts.

The 45-year-old said that he was “delighted” to have …. Original article  : David Miliband joins Sunderland as non-executive vice-chairman.

Tiger Woods spotted enjoying ‘daddy time’ with kids

WASHINGTON – Tiger Woods was recently spotted spending quality time with his kids in Florida.

The golf legend was spotted with his mom Kultida and his kids – daughter Sam, 3, and son Charlie, 1.

The doting father and his children were seen leaving gymnastics class in Orlando this week, reports Radaronine.com.

Dressed in a pink tutu, Sam …. Read the original article  : Tiger Woods spotted enjoying ‘daddy time’ with kids.

Karthikeyan 12th fastest in Valencia test

VALENCIA – India’s Narain Karthikeyan, driving a Hispania Racing car, marked his return to Formula One (F1) by clocking a best lap time of one minute, 18.020 seconds that put him 12th among 13 drivers who participated in the first test session of the season, here Tuesday.

The 34-year old Chennai-born and Coimbatore-based Karthikeyan put …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Karthikeyan 12th fastest in Valencia test.

Ian Thorpe to return for 2012 London Olympics

MELBOURNE – Five-time Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe has announced that he will return to competitive swimming in a bid to contest the 2012 London Olympics.

Thorpedo had retired from swimming in 2006 following a long battle with illness and injury.

“It hasn’t been something that I have taken lightly in making a decision in returning to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ian Thorpe to return for 2012 London Olympics.

Rooney drought broken as United beat Villa

LONDON – Wayne Rooney struck twice, doubling his tally in the league this season, as Manchester United beat Aston Villa 3-1 Tuesday.

United remain five points clear at the top of the Premier League table after Arsenal came from behind to beat Everton.
There had been doubts about Rooney’s form, but he struck within a …. Read the original article  : here.

Dhoni backs Chawla to perform in World Cup

NEW DELHI – India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni Wednesday defended the inclusion of Piyush Chawla in the World Cup squad saying the leg-spinner’s experience of playing consistently in the domestic circuit would help the team in the tournament.

Chawla, 22, was one of the surprise inclusions in the 15-member squad as he …. Source article  : Dhoni backs Chawla to perform in World Cup.

Torres wanted to join Chelsea since last summer

LONDON – Fernando Torres’ right hand man has said the ace striker wanted to join Chelsea since last summer.

Torres’ spokesman Antonio Sanz revealed that the striker wanted to join Chelsea in a 35 million pounds switch in July when Chelsea had made a formal offer.

He, however, was forced to stay after Liverpool promised him a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Former Black Cap Morrison questions Kiwi team rotation policy

HAMILTON – Former New Zealand cricketer John Morrison has questioned the current selection committee’s rotation policy in the wake of the team losing 13 of its last 14 one-day internationals.

Morrison said that the constant chopping and changing the starting lineup would not stop their current form slump.

Morrison, who played 17 tests for New Zealand between … Original article on : Former Black Cap Morrison questions Kiwi team rotation policy.

Injured Vettori, Ryder in doubt for fifth Kiwi-Pak ODI

HAMILTON – New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori and middle-order batsman Jesse Ryder are unlikely to play in the must win fifth one-day international against Pakistan, as they are struggling with a hamstring strain and a finger injury respectively.

Vettori, however, is hopeful that Ryder will play at Seddon Park.

Commenting on New Zealand’s two wicket loss to …. Read the original article  : Injured Vettori, Ryder in doubt for fifth Kiwi-Pak ODI.

Hayden to lead push to prevent axing of Sheffield Shield final

BRISBANE – Former Australian opening batsman Matthew Hayden will spearhead an emotional last-minute push to save the Sheffield Shield final as it faces being swept away by the Twenty20 revolution.

The proposal to cut the Sheffield Shield final has caused outrage among former players, with Queensland’s former Shield-winning captain Jim Maher branding it a “terrible” move … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Hayden to lead push to prevent axing of Sheffield Shield final.

Thorpe’s comeback announcement praised and panned on Twitter

SYDNEY – Swimming champion Ian Thorpe’s announcement Wednesday that he will aim to compete in the London 2012 Olympics has been both praised and widely panned on social networking sites like Twitter.

“Ian Thorpe” rocketed up into Twitter’s top 10 trending topics worldwide as the 28-year-old held a press conference in Sydney to confirm what many …. Source  : Thorpe’s comeback announcement praised and panned on Twitter.

Wenger accuses Chelsea of hypocrisy in following UEFA fair play rules

LONDON – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has accused Chelsea of hypocrisy after signing up to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules and then spending an astonishing 75 million pounds on the final day of the January transfer window.

“Chelsea supported the financial fair play, but in the morning they announce a 70 million pound loss and in … Read : Wenger accuses Chelsea of hypocrisy in following UEFA fair play rules.

Rooney give me 10 goals and Berbatov 30, demands Ferguson

LONDON – Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson wants Wayne Rooney to score at least 10 goals and his expectation from striker Dimitar Berbatov is of 30 goals.

Rooney scored twice in a game for the first time since last March 14, 2010, leading Manchester United over Aston Villa 3-1 in the English Premier League.

Ferguson said: “It … Original article on : Rooney give me 10 goals and Berbatov 30, demands Ferguson.

Broad says fitness plans coming along nicely

LONDON – England fast bowler Stuart Broad has stepped up his bid for fitness with the England squad in Australia.

In an article for the Daily Mail, Broad writes that over the past few weeks that he has been away, he has tried to get himself match fit again.
“I was lucky that I didn’t just spend …. Source  : Gaea News Network.