Sports News – Newsletter for February 13, 2011

Phelps guns for Thorpe, wants to reverse result of 2004 Athens Games

SYDNEY – Expressing his hopes of a rematch with Australian legend Ian Thorpe at the London Olympics, Swimming ace Michael Phelps has welcomed the chance to reverse the result at next year’s Olympics.

In what was dubbed the “Race of the Century”, Thorpe defeated Dutch great Pieter van den Hoogenband and Phelps in the 200-metre final … Read more >>.

Tony Parker admits divorce from Eva Longoria was ‘hard’

NEW YORK – Tony Parker has finally spoken about his recent divorce from Eva Longoria.

In an interview with a French radio station, he said he’d been working toward moving on from his divorce from Longoria, while acknowledging it wasn’t always easy, reports the New York Daily News.

“[Divorce] was hard, but life goes on,” he said, …. Read the original article  : Tony Parker admits divorce from Eva Longoria was ‘hard’.

Ponting shows encouraging signs of recovery from broken finger

BANGALORE – Australian captain Ricky Ponting has shown encouraging signs that he is recovering well from his broken finger by facing Australian bowlers in a 50-minute net session at Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Ponting, who had missed the final Ashes Test and the entire ODI series against England due the broken finger, played a fine array of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ponting shows encouraging signs of recovery from broken finger.

Clarke ready to lead Oz batting attack against spinners

BENGALURU – Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke has said he will have to lead the batting attack against the formidable spin of hosts India and Sri Lanka if Australia wants to do well at the 2011 World Cup.

Clarke’s reluctance to dominate fast bowlers has been criticized, but the right-hander is Australia’s best hope against slow bowling. …. Source article  : Clarke ready to lead Oz batting attack against spinners.

Doull picks Sri Lanka, India as top two favourites to lift World Cup

WELLINGTON – Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull has picked Sri Lanka and India as top two favourites to lift the World Cup, starting February 19 in the Indian subcontinent.

Picking Sri Lanka as his top favourite, Doull writes in Sunday News: “While most are tipping this to be India’s time to shine in …. Original article  : Doull picks Sri Lanka, India as top two favourites to lift World Cup.

Australia’s dependence on pacers to win World Cup is risky ploy: Waugh

NEW DELHI – Former skipper Steve Waugh, who captained Australia to World Cup victory in 1999, has said that relying on pacers to retain World Cup in the Indian subcontinent is a risky ploy.

Waugh said relying on strike bowlers Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger is an unusual move for … Original source on Gaea Times at : Australia’s dependence on pacers to win World Cup is risky ploy: Waugh.

New Zealand to seek inspiration from near miss at ICC Champions Trophy

WELLINGTON – New Zealand is seeking inspiration from their near-miss at the ICC Champions Trophy, termed as mini World Cup, 16 months ago.

The Black Caps against the odds in South Africa in October 2009 reached finals beating Sri Lanka, Pakistan and England on their way to the Champions Trophy decider.

They were beaten at [..] Read the original article: here.

National Games: Haryana win first gold medal in Taekwondo

RANCHI – Haryana won the first gold medal in the Taekwondo event of the National Games here Sunday.

Sandeep Kundu won the gold in the light weight category. G.V. Rao of Goa won the silver while Nirmal Singh of SSCB and Manipur’s Bhusan Hujit won a bronze each.
…. Original article on Gaea Times at  : National Games: Haryana win first gold medal in Taekwondo.

National Games: Karate player beaten up

BOKARO – A karate player named Sikandar, due to take part in the ongoing National Games, was allegedly beaten up by a group of people in Jharkhands Bokaro district, police said Sunday.

Sikandar was beaten up at a house late Saturday by four people and later was warned against attending the National Games. Four people … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : National Games: Karate player beaten up.

Warne, Hurley ‘look over the moon’ as they attend pal’s wedding party

MELBOURNE – Shane Warne and Elizabeth Hurley ‘looked over the moon’ as they stepped out together to attend a friend’s wedding reception.

According to the Herald Sun, the couple swapped cars at Crown before heading to the National Gallery of Victoria to celebrate the marriage of former England cricketer Dimitri Mascarenhas, 33, and his bride Nadine …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Warne, Hurley ‘look over the moon’ as they attend pal’s wedding party.

Tendulkar’s favoured Hot Spot technology owners go cold on WC after CWG fiasco

MELBOURNE – The patent holder for Hot Spot technology, Warren Brennan of BBG Sports, is not very enthusiastic over bringing the innovation to India due to logistical precedents and the ongoing lack of will by the Indian administrators.

The chances of the World Cup being decided by an umpiring errors have increased after the International Cricket [..] Read the original article: here.

Australia have the best winning percentage in World Cup

NEW DELHI – Four time champions Australia’s records in the World Cups are enviable and it shows why they have been the team to beat in the mega event since its inauguration in 1975.

Australia is also the team that has played 69 matches, the most number of matches played by any team in World …. Original source  : Australia have the best winning percentage in World Cup.

Rooney’s wonder ’scissor-kick’ strike against Man City hailed as greatest goal ever

LONDON – Ace striker Wayne Rooney, whose form has not been up to the mark since the World Cup, produced a moment of stunning skill in the 78th minute of Manchester United’s clash with rivals City at Old Trafford.

He hailed the goal that kept United on top of the Premier League as his greatest … Original source on Gaea Times at : Rooney’s wonder ’scissor-kick’ strike against Man City hailed as greatest goal ever.

World Cup: India opt to bat against Australia in warm-up match

BANGALORE – Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and opted to bat against Australia in a 50-over World Cup warm-up match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here Sunday.

Both the teams can use 15 players, with 11 batting and 11 fielding. India’s Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan won’t be available for this match.
…. Source article on Gaea Times at  : World Cup: India opt to bat against Australia in warm-up match.

Top Indian stars look to a great start at Avantha Masters

GURGAON – Indian golfers, a big force to reckon with on their home soil, will be the strongest contenders as the 1.8 million euros

($2.3 million) Avantha Masters takes off next week.
The event, co-sanctioned with the European and Asian Tours, will be staged Feb 17-20 at the DLF Golf and Country Club …. Read the original article  : Top Indian stars look to a great start at Avantha Masters.

Over 7,000 participate in Mumbai Cyclothon

MUMBAI – More than 7,000 people participated in the ‘Mumbai Cyclothon – Tour de Mumbai 2011′ here Sunday, two days after the Nashik leg of the race.

The second edition of the cyclothon kicked off from Bandra Reclamation near the Bandra-Worli Sealink here in the morning and it saw Maharashtra Public Works Minister Chhagan Bhujbal … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Over 7,000 participate in Mumbai Cyclothon.

Thousands to take part in Russian ski race

Moscow, Feb 13 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Thousands of skiers will participate Sunday in an all-Russian race entitled Russian Ski Run 2011, with a 78-year-old woman set to be the oldest participant.

The race has been held annually since 1982. It includes two kilometres (1.2-mile), five kilometres (3.1-mile), 10 km (6.2-mile) and other events.
The oldest …. Read the original article  : Thousands to take part in Russian ski race.

Smith slams Chennai pitch, happy with Tahir show

CHENNAI – “Under-prepared”, “slow” and “dead” was how South African captain Graeme Smith described the pitch at the refurbished M.A. Chidambaram Stadium where the Proteas strolled to an eight-wicket win against Zimbabwe in a cricket World Cup warm-up game Saturday.

“The wicket was pretty slow and dead. Yet, Morne Morkel, who bowled well in Indian … Read more »»».

Vivek, Ameesha jazz up 34th National Games’ opening show

RANCHI – Bollywood actors Vivek Oberoi and Ameesha Patel added glamour to the inaugural ceremony of the 34th National Games which got off to a spectacular start at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi Saturday evening.

Vivek created a sensation by driving a bike in the stadium while Ameesha and actor Samera … Read more : Vivek, Ameesha jazz up 34th National Games’ opening show.

Indian Olympic Association backs Kalmadi, says Trilochan Singh

RANCHI – Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Vice President Trilochan Singh on Saturday defended IOA President Suresh Kalmadi, and said that he will remain in his post till 2012.

“He (Kalmadi) is president till end of 2012. There is an election process, and no one can remove him like this,” Singh said.

“I am no one to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.