Sports News – Newsletter for February 10, 2011

‘Banned’ Butt was under investigation for suspected 2010 T20 WC ’spot-fixing’ affair

LONDON – Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, who has been banned for 10 years for his involvement in a spot-fixing scam, was also investigated by the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s anti-corruption unit in connection with “suspicious” phone calls and texts from London-based bookmaker Mazhar Majeed …. Read the original article  : ‘Banned’ Butt was under investigation for suspected 2010 T20 WC ’spot-fixing’ affair.

Injured Kubica’s already eyeing F1 return

LONDON – Lotus Renault Formula One driver Robert Kubica, who was seriously injured in a high-speed rally crash on Sunday, has told his team that he is ready to ‘fight’ to make a comeback.

Kubica is likely to be in hospital for another fortnight after suffering multiple fractures.

“Robert’s …. Source article  : Injured Kubica’s already eyeing F1 return.

Prayers for Indian Cricket team in Vadodra

VADODRA – Cricket enthusiasts and cricket players performed rituals on Wednesday for team India’s victory in the upcoming World Cup.

The function was organised by the Baroda Disabled Cricket Association.

Sanjay Panday, a cricket fan said: “We pray to God …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Prayers for Indian Cricket team in Vadodra.

UK Olympic games should not be magnet for sex trafficking: Home Secretary

LONDON – Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned that Prime Minister David Cameron must do more to stop next year’s Olympic Games from becoming a magnet for sex trafficking gangs.

Cooper, 41, said that Cameron, 44, should stop pandering to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : UK Olympic games should not be magnet for sex trafficking: Home Secretary.

Series win against England augurs well for World Cup: Ponting

SYDNEY – Australian captain Ricky Ponting said the emphatic ODI series win against England has given them hope as the defending champions left for India Thursday morning, eyeing to win their fourth successive and fifth World Cup title.

Ponting has been sidelined since the Boxing Day Test against England due to a broken finger, but …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

ICC’s findings on Pakistani cricketers available outside Britain only

DUBAI – The International Cricket Council (ICC) released its findings of the investigation into corruption involving three Pakistan players, but these were not made available in Britain.

The document detailing the independent tribunal’s deliberations was not made available in England and Wales because of the criminal charges against the three banned cricketers … Original article on : ICC’s findings on Pakistani cricketers available outside Britain only.

Ponting says playing with pain from broken finger ‘won’t hinder performance at all’

SYDNEY – Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said that pain from his broken finger will not hamper his performance during the upcoming World Cup.

Ponting, who missed the final Ashes Test and the entire ODI series against England, said that he would wear a guard to protect it and would not take up his usual fielding … Read : Ponting says playing with pain from broken finger ‘won’t hinder performance at all’.

Injured Hussey left out of Oz WC squad over uncertainty around recovery time: Ponting

SYDNEY – Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said that the decision to leave injured Michael Hussey out of the 15-man World Cup squad was the right one.

Hussey was dumped after being considered too big a risk following his surgery on a hamstring tendon about three weeks ago.

“I know what the selectors had spoken about – …. Source  : Injured Hussey left out of Oz WC squad over uncertainty around recovery time: Ponting.

Symonds essays role in Bollywood flick ‘Patiala House’

MUMBAI – Semi-retired Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, it seems, is truly embracing India.

He has essayed a role in a Bollywood film – Patiala House – which features noted actor Akshay Kumar and actress Anushka Sharma – and is more or less likened to Gurinder Chadha’s Bend it Like Beckham.

Symonds is in demand in India, where …. Source  : Symonds essays role in Bollywood flick ‘Patiala House’.

Johnny McEntee Becomes Internet Sensation

HARTFORD (GaeaTimes.com)- Any one who has seen the latest video of Johnny McEntee has one question that what made officials make Johnny McEntee stay away from the field last year. The young Connecticut Huskies quarterback is the latest YouTube sensation, all because of some of his flawless shots that has been captured in the video …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Johnny McEntee Becomes Internet Sensation.

Krejza has got something to offer in Oz World Cup defence: Healy

SYDNEY – Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy believes that off-spinner Jason Krejza could be the ’surprise factor’ in Australia’s World Cup defence.

Krejza was included in the 15-man Australian squad in place of injured Nathan Hauritz.

“Krejza should do the job. Hopefully he gets the sense Australia is ready to settle on a spinner. They’ve been through … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Krejza has got something to offer in Oz World Cup defence: Healy.

Miandad wants tainted Pak trio to identify “bad elements in the game”

ISLAMABAD – Terming the Anti-Corruption Tribunal’s decision to impose lengthy bans on Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer on spot-fixing charges as a “reasonable verdict”, Pakistan cricket great Javed Miandad has urged the trio to assist in purging corruption from the game.

Miandad, Director General of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said the banned trio should … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Miandad wants tainted Pak trio to identify “bad elements in the game”.

PCB boss Butt lauds Waqar for ‘handling Pak team well’ despite spot-fixing controversy

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt has lauded team coach Waqar Younis for his efforts to rebuild the national squad following the spot-fixing scandal that broke last August.

“I am very happy with what Waqar is doing. He has a plan to move forward and he has handled the team well despite the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : PCB boss Butt lauds Waqar for ‘handling Pak team well’ despite spot-fixing controversy.

‘Banned’ Salman Butt lands job as Pak TV channel’s World Cup expert

LAHORE – Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, who was banned for 10 years for his involvement in a spot-fixing scam, has been signed up by Pakistan’s Channel 5 to be their expert commentator during the upcoming World Cup.

“I have signed a contract with a television channel to do expert commentary. As I am … Original article on : ‘Banned’ Salman Butt lands job as Pak TV channel’s World Cup expert.

Rookie pace bowler Junaid replaces ‘unfit’ Tanvir in Pak squad for World Cup 2011

LAHORE – Pakistan pace bowler Junaid Khan has replaced his colleague Sohail Tanvir in the national squad for the forthcoming World Cup, after the latter was ruled out owing to his slow recovery from last year’s knee surgery.

“Fast bowler Junaid Khan has been approved as Tanvir’s replacement by the International Cricket Council (ICC),” the Daily …. Source article  : Rookie pace bowler Junaid replaces ‘unfit’ Tanvir in Pak squad for World Cup 2011.

Murali’s Centre of Excellence stint would be a priceless for young Oz spinners: Healy

SYDNEY – Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy reckons that veteran Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan’s stint with Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence would help the future generation of spinners in the country.

Muralitharan has agreed to sign on as a guest spin coach at the Brisbane-based centre in June this year.

“I think it’s great, as long … Read more : Murali’s Centre of Excellence stint would be a priceless for young Oz spinners: Healy.

Faceless army toils to restore Eden’s glory

KOLKATA – The iconic Eden Gardens may have lost one World Cup match due to its poor preparedness, but a faceless army of 1,600 workers is toiling away to ensure that the turf lives up to its hallowed reputation for the remaining three games next month.

Mostly from eastern India, they are working day and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Faceless army toils to restore Eden’s glory.

Tiger Woods says being around his kids is ‘greatest thing in the world’

LONDON – Disgraced golfer Tiger woods has revealed that being around his children is the “greatest thing in the world.”

The former world number one golfer said he cherishes time with 3-year-old daughter Sam and son Charlie, aged two.

Woods shares parenting duties with ex-wife Elin Nordegren since their divorce last year following the exposure of his … Read more >>>.

ICC publishes ‘redacted version’ of spot-fixing case judgement against tainted trio

DUBAI – The International Cricket Council has published a ‘redacted version’ of the Anti-Corruption Tribunal’s ‘full written determination’ into the spot-fixing case against Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

However, in light of the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision to pursue criminal charges against the banned trio, “anyone located inside of England and Wales … Read more »».

Victories for football’s big guns in international friendlies

BERLIN – There were victories for some of football’s big guns Wednesday in international friendlies as Argentina, Netherlands, France, Spain and England all won their games.

Germany, however, were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Italy.
In the Stade de France, France, who disappointed at the World Cup last year, managed a 1-0 … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Victories for football’s big guns in international friendlies.