Sports News – Newsletter for February 17, 2011

Chelsea owner Abramovich’s wealth declaration reveals his billions from business

LONDON – Chelsea owner and Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich owns 16 homes, seven cars, 22 bank accounts, six companies, one football club, and earned three billion pounds last year, according to a wealth declaration released under his country’s election law.

According to the Telegraph, Abramovich, who is currently worth 11 billion pounds and is Russia’s fifth …. Read the original article  : Chelsea owner Abramovich’s wealth declaration reveals his billions from business.

Australian cricket on brink of West Indies-style collapse: Rixon

MELBOURNE – Former wicketkeeper Steve Rixon fears that Australian cricket is on the brink of a West Indies-style collapse unless Cricket Australia takes tough decisions on key issues confronting the national team.

Rixon criticized the Australian cricket officialdom, and said there could be no excuses for the side’s slide down the Test rankings.

In an embarrassing loss … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Australian cricket on brink of West Indies-style collapse: Rixon.

Indian team arrives in Dhaka amid heavy security

DHAKA – The Indian cricket team arrived here Thursday amid heavy security cover for their opening World Cup against Bangladesh Saturday.

Rapid action battalion commandos and crack police personnel in two vehicles escorted the team bus to the Sheraton Hotel.
Policemen lined the route on both sides of the road from the Hazrat Shah Jalal … Original article on : Indian team arrives in Dhaka amid heavy security.

Taylor keeps faith in Black Caps’ World Cup campaign despite warm-up defeat to India

CHENNAI – New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has said that despite the heavy defeat in the warm-up game against India, his team was capable of progressing deep into the World Cup.

“We need to bat and bowl and field well and at the moment we’re not doing all the facets as well as we would like, … Read more »».

Mohd. Akram backs India, Sri Lanka as favourites to bag World Cup 2011 glory

ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Akram has tipped India and Sri Lanka as the topmost contenders to lift the coveted ICC World Cup 2011 trophy.

“India’s doing very well; they’re number 1 for me. One also cannot rule out Sri Lanka. I think that one of these Asian teams, India or Sri Lanka, will …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

O’Donnell backs Aussies to make strong comeback in World Cup

SYDNEY – Ex Australian all-rounder Simon O’Donnell believes that the Australian team would still be a force in the World Cup despite losing their two warm-up games.

Australia was bowled out for 176 against India to lose by 38 runs, and could only manage 217 against South Africa in a seven-wicket loss.

“I’m a way off from … Read this article on Gaea Times at : O’Donnell backs Aussies to make strong comeback in World Cup.

McCullum says New Zealand have forgotten how to win

CHENNAI – New Zealand all-rounder Brendon McCullum has admitted that a confidence crisis is dogging his team ahead of their World Cup campaign.

It comes after New Zealand was hammered by India in their warm-up game in Chennai by 117 runs.

When asked if the Black Caps had forgotten how to win, McCullum said: “That’s probably …. Original article  : McCullum says New Zealand have forgotten how to win.

Waugh predicts England will exit early from World Cup

MELBOURNE – After successfully defending the Ashes on Australian soil, England faces a difficult task to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup, according to former opener Mark Waugh.

Waugh said that “there always tends to be one team” who unexpectedly crashes out in the group stages and he has nominated England as the …. Read the original article  : Waugh predicts England will exit early from World Cup.

Pulling people, and the crowds – rickshaws adorn match venue (World Cup Diary)

DHAKA – The humble mode of transport, the rickshaw, is clearly a crowd puller in more ways than one with the road leading to the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, the venue for the opening World Cup game between India and Bangladesh Feb 19, decorated with colourful models.

Resplendent in green, blue, orange, red, yellow, silver …. Original article  : Pulling people, and the crowds – rickshaws adorn match venue (World Cup Diary).

Ponting ’selfish’ in batting at No.3 in World Cup warm-up game against Proteas: Hogg

BANGALORE – Australian captain Ricky Ponting was “selfish” in batting at No.3 when his struggling middle-order needed runs in the World Cup warm-up game against South Africa, according to former Australian fast bowler Rodney Hogg.

Australia lost the game by seven wickets after they posted a paltry 217 runs, despite making a strong start for the …. Original source  : Ponting ’selfish’ in batting at No.3 in World Cup warm-up game against Proteas: Hogg.

Pietersen relishing new role as opener in England’s World Cup crusade

LONDON – Kevin Pietersen, who was promoted to the top of the order during the warm-up game against Canada, remains upbeat despite making a meager 24 run as an opener.

The majority of Pietersen’s 50-over appearances have come at No 3 (60 innings at an average of 39).

“It’s really exciting – a nice positive move going … Read more »».

Clarke says World Cup warm-up games more about ‘giving blokes an opportunity’

BANGALORE – Australia has been playing anything like the defending World Cup champions since they arrived in India, but vice-captain Michael Clarke claims that the two warm-up games have been a “good hitout”.

Australia was bowled out for 176 against India to lose by 38 runs, and could only manage 217 against South Africa in a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Clarke says World Cup warm-up games more about ‘giving blokes an opportunity’.

Butt’s TV commentator job may be ‘breach of ICC suspended sentence terms’

DUBAI – The International Cricket Council has “expressed disappointment” over the hiring of disgraced Pakistani cricketer Salman Butt by a local TV channel, and has asked the Anti-Corruption Tribunal whether this could be “viewed as a breach against the terms of his suspended sentence” in the spot-fixing case.

Pakistan’s Channel Five has hired Butt, who has …. Read the original article  : Butt’s TV commentator job may be ‘breach of ICC suspended sentence terms’.

Champions League: Arsenal come back to beat Barcelona; samba party in Rome

BERLIN – Arsenal came from behind to score two late goals against Barcelona for a 2-1 victory in a Champions League first-leg match in the round of 16, while Shakhtar Donetsk scored an upset 3-2 victory at AS Roma in Wednesday’s other game.

In London, David Villa scored for Barcelona midway through the first half, …. Original article  : Champions League: Arsenal come back to beat Barcelona; samba party in Rome.

‘Cat-with-nine-lives’ Swann cleared of drink-driving charge on legal technality

LONDON – England off-spinner Graeme Swann has been cleared of a drink-driving case involving a late-night bid to rescue a trapped cat.

Swann had earlier told the court that he had returned to his four-bedroom home in West Bridgford, Nottingham, following his birthday celebrations last April to discover that his nine-month-old cat Max was trapped under …. Source  : ‘Cat-with-nine-lives’ Swann cleared of drink-driving charge on legal technality.

Lance Armstrong retires from professional cycling

AUCKLAND – American road racing cyclist Lance Armstrong, who is best known for winning the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times after having survived testicular cancer, has announced his retirement.

The 39-year-old, who made a comeback to cycling two years ago, said that he was quitting for good to spend more time with his … Read more >>.

Bangladesh can pull off win over India: Mashrafe

DHAKA – Bangladesh pace spearhead Mashrafe Mortaza, who has to sit out the World Cup following a right knee injury, says his team could pull off a win over India in the tournament opener Saturday, as they had done in the previous edition of event in 2007.

Mortaza, however, acknowledged that India were the title …. Read the original article  : here.

Porn star calls Hurley a mug for expecting fairytale romance with Warne

LONDON – A porn star who claimed she bedded Shane Warne in September 2010 – at the same time he was wooing current flame Elizabeth Hurley – has said that the British actress was deluded if she thought she could tame bad-boy Warne.

“If Liz was expecting a fairytale romance with Shane then she’s a mug,” …. Read the original article  : here.

Panyangara replaces Rainsford in Zimbabwe World Cup squad

DHAKA – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed Tinashe Panyangara as a replacement player for the injured Edward Rainsford in the Zimbabwe squad for the Feb 19-April 2 World Cup.

The ICC’s event technical committee for the tournament approved Panyangara as per a written request from Zimbabwe, the game’s apex body said in a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Panyangara replaces Rainsford in Zimbabwe World Cup squad.

Half-empty stands in sold-out Dhaka WC practice match

DHAKA – The first practice match between Bangladesh and Pakistan in the run up to the World Cup saw all tickets sold out but half-empty stands, leading to charges of mismanagement, a media report said Thursday.

The match was sold out, yet seats at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in downtown Mirpur were vaccant because holders … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Half-empty stands in sold-out Dhaka WC practice match.