Sports News – Newsletter for February 8, 2011

I’ll do everything to make comeback from “worst day of my life”, says banned Amir

LAHORE – Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who has been handed down a five-year ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for spot-fixing, has said that he would comeback from the “worst day of my life”.

“When someone is seeing in front of him the end of his future, his career, then that is the worst …. Read the original article  : here.

Coimbatore is gearing up for the World Cup

COIMBATORE – Cricket fans in Coimbatore are looking forward to the World Cup matches to be played in the city.

Their World cup excitement was palpable when they took part, in a parade with the trophy on Monday.

Naveen , a cricket fan, said , “We are here today …. Source article  : Coimbatore is gearing up for the World Cup.

Strauss says Ashes tour was great despite 6-1 ODI loss

LONDON – England has had a great tour of Australia despite being crushed 6-1 in the one-day series feels skipper Andrew Strauss.

Strauss flew home with his battered and bruised side yesterday, and was in no doubt the 3-1 Ashes win had made the trip … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Strauss says Ashes tour was great despite 6-1 ODI loss.

Sreesanth to replace injured Praveen Kumar in Indian squad

NEW DELHI – Injured fast bowler Praveen Kumar has been ruled out of the Indian squad for the World Cup and S. Sreesanth was Tuesday named as his replacement.

“The national selectors have picked S. Sreesanth as Praveen Kumar’s replacement in the Indian team for the tournament. The ICC has confirmed that Praveen Kumar can …. Original source  : Sreesanth to replace injured Praveen Kumar in Indian squad.

Ireland looking to replicate 2007 performance (Team profile, World Cup Countdown)

NEW DELHI – Ireland, who made a dream World Cup debut by stunning Test playing nations Pakistan and Bangladesh in the 2007 edition, are looking to replicate their stupendous performance with at least a quarterfinal berth in the Feb 19-April 2 mega event.

The 15-man squad, led by seasoned batsman William Porterfield, has nine players …. Original article  : Ireland looking to replicate 2007 performance (Team profile, World Cup Countdown).

Hoogenband says ’special athlete’ Thorpe can win another gold in London

ABU DHABI – Former Dutch swimmer Pieter van den Hoogenband believes that five-time Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe can add to his gold medal tally during the 2012 London Olympics.

“I think he can win the 100m freestyle. That would be something. To have the 400m, 200m, 100m Olympic gold medal is history, that’s amazing,” the …. Read the original article  : Hoogenband says ’special athlete’ Thorpe can win another gold in London.

Pup Clarke replaces Bingle with ‘wild thing’ Shaun Tait as arm candy

PERTH – While most of the Australian cricketers made their entrances with their gorgeous wives or girlfriends at the Allan Border Medal in Melbourne on Monday, Michael Clarke managed to surprise all with his choice of partner.

The single Aussie cricket vice-captain turned up with teammate Shaun Tait this year.

Last year, Clarke had a Chanel-tattooed …. Original source  : Pup Clarke replaces Bingle with ‘wild thing’ Shaun Tait as arm candy.

Williamson to miss New Zealand’s World Cup flight due to chest infection

AUCKLAND – New Zealand will be without batsman Kane Williamson when the World Cup team leaves for India today.

According to Stuff.co.nz, Williamson has developed a chest infection, and received medical advice that he should not fly with the team.

He will undergo treatment, with the possibility of flying out in the coming days.

New Zealand has … Read more : Williamson to miss New Zealand’s World Cup flight due to chest infection.

PCB boss Butt admits last six months were ‘extremely painful for Pakistan cricket’

LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has acknowledged that the last six months following the spot-fixing scandal that broke last August, were ‘extremely painful for Pakistan cricket.’

Last week, an independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal appointed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hear into the spot-fixing case imposed a ’sanction of ten years ineligibility’ on Salman …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : PCB boss Butt admits last six months were ‘extremely painful for Pakistan cricket’.

Ponting set for World Cup return

SYDNEY – Australian captain Ricky Ponting is confident that he will be fit to play in the upcoming World Cup, saying that he could play now if he had to.

Ponting, who missed the final Ashes Test and the entire ODI series against England due to a broken finger, said that the injury was improving fast.

“It’s … Original article on : Ponting set for World Cup return.

CA should dump ‘vapid AB Medal fashion show’, not Shield final: Roebuck

SYDNEY – Noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck reckons that if Cricket Australia is going to cancel anything, it ought to be the infernal Allan Border Medal and not the Sheffield Shield games.

Cutting back from the current 10 Shield games per state per season, plus the final, is one of the options under consideration as Cricket … Read more >>>.

Super Bowl 2011 sets US TV record audience of 111 million

Arlington (Texas, US), – Super Bowl 2011 set a new record for the largest U.S. television audience for a single broadcast on Sunday (February 6).

The Green Bay Packers’ 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Texas drew a U.S. TV audience of 111 million, topping the 2010 final tally by almost 5 million, according …. Original article  : Super Bowl 2011 sets US TV record audience of 111 million.

Salman Butt, Asif will have to ‘confess to prevent longer ban sanctions’

LONDON – Tainted Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif will have to sign full confessions to avoid the suspended part of their sentences being enforced in the spot-fixing case, which may deter them from appealing to the Court of Arbitration in Sports (CAS) in Switzerland.

Last week, an independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal appointed by the International … Read more »»».

Tevez cheated with me, says ex Playboy Playmate Argentine reality TV star

LONDON – Argentine television personality and former Playboy Playmate, Claudia Ciardone, has claimed that Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez had dated her – cheating on his actress girlfriend.

Ciardone, who appeared in Argentina’s versions of Big Brother and Dancing on Ice, said that she started seeing Tevez before the 2010 World Cup, but dumped him after … Original source on Gaea Times at : Tevez cheated with me, says ex Playboy Playmate Argentine reality TV star.

Rodney Marsh tips an ICC associate team to create World Cup stir

DUBAI – Former Australian wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh is tipping one of the four ICC Associate nations-Ireland, Kenya, The Netherlands and Canada-to create a stir at this year’s cricket World Cup in the Indian subcontinent.

Marsh, who is currently the Director of Coaching at the ICC’s Global Academy in Dubai, has worked with players from Ireland, Kenya, … Read more : Rodney Marsh tips an ICC associate team to create World Cup stir.

Ponting backs Australia to win fourth consecutive World Cup

SYDNEY – Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes that the way the team performed in his absence, thrashing England 6-1 in their ODI series, showed that they were ready to chase their fourth consecutive World Cup.

“I’m really proud of the way the boys have played the last few weeks, Michael (Clarke’s) led the side well and … Original article on : Ponting backs Australia to win fourth consecutive World Cup.

Cricket Australia manages coup, ropes in Muralidaran for guest spin coach role

SYDNEY – Once declared an outcast by Australian cricket fans, veteran Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has agreed to sign on as a guest spin coach at the Brisbane-based Centre of Excellence in June this year.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Test cricket’s greatest wicket-taker will not only impart the secrets of his spin wizardry but …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Cricket Australia manages coup, ropes in Muralidaran for guest spin coach role.

Injured Hussey, Hauritz out of Australia’s World Cup squad

MELBOURNE – Australia’s World Cup campaign suffered a blow with injured batsman Michael Hussey and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz ruled out of the mega event beginning in the subcontinent Feb 19.

Cricket Australia (CA) sought and was granted permission from the International Cricket Council to replace them in the 15-member strong squad with Tasmania off-spinner Jason … Original source on Gaea Times at : Injured Hussey, Hauritz out of Australia’s World Cup squad.

Steve Waugh hopes spot-fixing verdict will stamp out corruption from cricket

ABU DHABI – Former Australian captain Steve Waugh hopes that the ban imposed on three Pakistan cricketers over spot-fixing charges would stamp out corruption from international cricket.

“It sinks into the players that this is serious now. If they are involved or are contemplating it, you’re really risking your reputation, you’re selling your country … Read more >>.

Pak trio deserved ICC ban, says Steve Waugh

ABU DHABI – Former Australian captain Steve Waugh insists that former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir got what they deserved after being banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over spot-fixing charges.

Waugh said that though he has some sympathy for 18-year-old Amir, he was in no doubt about … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pak trio deserved ICC ban, says Steve Waugh.