Sports News – Newsletter for February 16, 2011

Why is Eden not hosting an India game sir? (World Cup Diary)

DHAKA – The fact that the iconic Eden Gardens is not hosting an India match in the Feb 19-April 2 World Cup has disappointed fans not just in Kolkata but also in Bangladesh.

Two officers manning the immigration desk at Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were aghast.
“Eden Gardens is such a beautiful … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Why is Eden not hosting an India game sir? (World Cup Diary).

McCullum determined to succeed at the top of Black Caps’ batting order

CHENNAI – New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum has said that he is thrilled to be back as an opening batsman, and feels that the time is ripe to make amends for his disappointing outings in the two past World Cups.

McCullum has scored just 152 runs in 10 World Cup innings.

“The previous two World Cups I …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : McCullum determined to succeed at the top of Black Caps’ batting order.

Black Caps looking to get ‘momentum’ back ahead of World Cup: Taylor

BANGALORE – New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has said that his team’s poor recent one-day record means that it is important to get the winning mentality back as soon as possible.

New Zealand has won just two of their last 16 ODI games.

“It’s been well documented that we haven’t played well over the last … Read more : Black Caps looking to get ‘momentum’ back ahead of World Cup: Taylor.

F1 chief Ecclestone fears anti-government protesters may target Bahrain Grand Prix

LONDON – Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has expressed concern at the escalating anti-government protests in Bahrain, saying that he is worried protesters may use the opening Grand Prix of the season on March 13 to make a statement to the world.

Ecclestone said that he had been trying unsuccessfully to get hold of the Crown …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

ICC bans Twitter use during World Cup matches due to corruption fears

DUBAI – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned players and officials from using social networking and microblogging service Twitter during World Cup matches.

The decision, led by the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit, is intended to remove the potential of illegal bookmakers contacting players and officials during play.

“When it comes to issues of corruption …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

ICC chief puts onus on players, coaches and selectors to address fatigue factor

DUBAI – International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has put the onus on national teams to help stop star cricketers from burning out following complaints of fatigue ahead of the World Cup.

“We have reached a point where we think it is the optimum, but there is also some onus on the players, on …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ICC chief puts onus on players, coaches and selectors to address fatigue factor.

Drug use rampant in Australian Football League, says Oz defender Milicevic

MELBOURNE – Australian footballer Ljubo Milicevic has claimed that drug use is rampant in the Australian Football League (AFL), and admitted that players had offered him cocaine in Melbourne nightclubs.

The 30-year-old central defender also said that the anti-drug code is covering up the substance abuse.

“The first thing an AFL footballer said to me when I … Read : Drug use rampant in Australian Football League, says Oz defender Milicevic.

PCA gears up to host World Cup matches

MOHALI – The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) is busy refurbishing the infrastructure and basic amenities of its stadium here for the upcoming World Cup matches.

The PCA stadium is considered one of the most ultra-modern facilities in the country.
To ensure comfortable seating arrangements, PCA authorities are working round-the-clock to set up chairs in all … Read more >>>.

Spurs win at AC Milan, Schalke draw in Spain

BERLIN – Tottenham Hotspur Tuesday stunned AC Milan 1-0 in a Champions League first leg match in the round of the last 16, while Schalke 04 secured a good 1-1 draw at Valencia.

England forward Peter Crouch scored in Milan for the Premier League side, while Roberto Soldado scored for Valenica against Schalke, for whom …. Source article  : Spurs win at AC Milan, Schalke draw in Spain.

India should win cricket World Cup: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday hoped Team India would win the cricket world cup.

My best wishes are with the countrymen and countrywomen of India. India should win the World Cup, Manmohan Singh told a group of TV editors.
Asked about his favourite players in the Indian cricket team, the prime minister …. Original article  : India should win cricket World Cup: PM.

Becks to get 500K pounds in damages over mag’s false sex claims

LONDON – Soccer star David Beckham is set to get nearly 500,000 pounds in damages over a magazine’s claims that he paid a prostitute for sex, it has emerged.

The payout will come in Germany from the publishers of In Touch, which alleged the football player paid 2,000 pounds-a-night prostitute Irma Nici for sex at a …. Source  : Becks to get 500K pounds in damages over mag’s false sex claims.

Australia lose to South Africa in warm-up game (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – Defending champions Australia lost their second warm-up game for the World Cup as they went down by seven wickets to South Africa in Bangalore Tuesday.

Opting to bat first, Australia were all out for 217 runs in 47.1 overs. Vice-captain Michael Clarke was the top scorer with 73 while captain Ricky Ponting … Read more >>>.

London Olympics take shape with schedule

LONDON – Usain Bolt will get the chance to go for a second 100 metres gold Sunday Aug 5 at the 2012 Olympics, according to the London Games timetable released Tuesday.

The Jamaican world record holder could double his gold haul Aug 9 in the 200m final.
The first action of the Games will be … Read : London Olympics take shape with schedule.

Ireland, Netherlands win World Cup warm-up matches

NEW DELHI – Skipper Elton Chigumbura’s blistering unbeaten century went in vain for Zimbabwe as Ireland chased down a 245-run target with three balls to spare in a thrilling finish to the World Cup warm-up match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur Tuesday.

Electing to bat, Zimbabwe scored 244 for eight in … Read : Ireland, Netherlands win World Cup warm-up matches.

Recovering well, Eoin Morgan tweets

LONDON – England batsman Eoin Morgan, who was ruled out from the World Cup squad due to injury, Tuesday hinted he could have been fit for the mega event in the sub-continent starting Feb 19.

The middle-order batsman suffered a finger injury during the recent One-day series in Australia and was replaced by all-rounder …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Recovering well, Eoin Morgan tweets.

Exhausted Hantuchova crashes in Dubai

DUBAI – Daniela Hantuchova experienced the highs and lows of tennis Tuesday as the weekend winner of the WTA title in Pattaya crashed out with exhaustion 1-6, 3-6 to Anna Chakvetadze in the first round of the Dubai Championships.

Hantuchova from Slovakia and ranked 29, won her first title since 2007 in Thailand, then caught …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Exhausted Hantuchova crashes in Dubai.

Man U midfielder Park Ji-sung out for four weeks

LONDON – Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung will be out of action for four weeks after suffering a hamstring injury, manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed Tuesday.

The former South Korea captain, who retired from international football after last month’s Asian Cup, sustained the injury in training.
“We got a blow Saturday morning with the news … Original article on : Man U midfielder Park Ji-sung out for four weeks.

We have to play good cricket against India: Wright

CHENNAI – John Wrights return as a coach, this time of his home country New Zealand, was perhaps a logical move after the team came apart at the seams under Mark Greatbatch last winter with three consecutive ODI series defeats.

With the World Cup in the sub-continent, Wright, given his five-year experience as coach of …. Source  : We have to play good cricket against India: Wright.

Indian GP prompted Tata to back Karthikeyan

NEW DELHI – The inaugural Formula One race in New Delhi later this year was one of the reasons that prompted Tata Motors to back Narain Karthikeyan’s return to the sport after five years.

Karthikeyan will be seen in action with Tata Motors sponsored Hispania Racing Team in the Oct 28-30 race …. Original article  : Indian GP prompted Tata to back Karthikeyan.

National Games: Chennai girl becomes youngest swimmer to win medal

RANCHI – Chennai girl A.V. Jayveena Tuesday became the youngest swimmer in the history of National Games to win medals.

The 12-year-old Jayveena, representing Tamil Nadu, won bronzes in the 200 meters breaststroke and relay. In breaststroke, Jayveena competed with experienced Delhi girl Richa Mishra, who has won four gold medals in the meet so … Read this article on Gaea Times at : National Games: Chennai girl becomes youngest swimmer to win medal.