Sports News – Newsletter for February 19, 2011

Pringle backs England to win World Cup despite Oz ODI series rout

LONDON – Former England cricketer Derek Pringle believes that the national team has the best chance in 20 years of winning the World Cup.

England starts their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on February 22 in Nagpur, before facing possibly tougher games against India, the West Indies and South Africa in Group B.

“Most of the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pringle backs England to win World Cup despite Oz ODI series rout.

‘Hungry’ Pak, West Indies can “really be dangerous teams” in World Cup 2011: Sohail

ISLAMABAD – Although most critics are backing India and Sri Lanka to bag the ICC World Cup glory, Pakistan and West Indies can “really be dangerous” in the tournament, former Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail has said.

“Four teams- Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and India seem to have the best chances of reaching the semifinals. But …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Hungry’ Pak, West Indies can “really be dangerous teams” in World Cup 2011: Sohail.

Chechnya President Kadyrov plans friendly football match against Brazil’s WC heroes

LONDON – Chechnya President Ramzan Kadyrov is about to take to the football field and lead a select XI against the stars of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning squad, according to the republic’s Sports Minister.

Kadyrov, who is also the President of a local Russian team ‘Terek Grozny’, has set up the friendly match for March …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Chechnya President Kadyrov plans friendly football match against Brazil’s WC heroes.

Musharraf taps patriotic fervour to wish Pak cricket team ahead of World Cup 2011

ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has wished the national cricket team good luck in their endeavour to lift the coveted ICC World Cup 2011 trophy.

The video message shows the former military ruler sitting in front of the logo of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), his newly launched political party.

He begins by telling … Read more >>>.

Pele warns Brazil 2014 World Cup organisers over slow progress

RIO DE JANEIRO – Pele has warned organisers over the little amount of progress that has been made towards hosting the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Brazil must be ready by mid 2013 in order to host the Confederation Cup, the warm-up to the 2014 World Cup.

Pele, a key figure in Brazil’s marketing strategy to win …. Source  : Pele warns Brazil 2014 World Cup organisers over slow progress.

Lampard backs uncle Redknapp to succeed Capello as England boss

LONDON – Backing the Tottenham boss to replace Fabio Capello after next year’s Euro 2012 championships, ace midfielder Frank Lampard has said that Harry Redknapp would be an outstanding England manager.

Redknapp is the favourite to be chosen by the Football Association as Capello’s successor.

Chelsea midfielder Lampard, who is also Redknapp’s nephew, told BBC Sport: “It’s … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Lampard backs uncle Redknapp to succeed Capello as England boss.

India to bat first in World Cup opener

MIRPUR – Bangladesh won the toss and decided to field against India in the first match of the 2011 World Cup.

MS Dhoni’s men, who will now bat first, will look to take the revenge against the Bangladeshis, as they were defeated by them in their first clash in the last edition of the World Cup.

Indian … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : India to bat first in World Cup opener.

Take minnows lightly at your own peril, says Kenyan captain

CHENNAI – Kenya skipper Jimmy Kamande has warned that if anybody wants to take Kenya or a lower-ranked team lightly, then it will be at their own peril, since the so-called minnows are capable of tripping the front-runners at the ensuing Cricket World Cup.

Nobody should take any team, especially those lower-ranked, lightly as I …. Read the original article  : here.

In Dhaka, the refrain is ‘No problem, Sir’ (World Cup Diary)

DHAKA – “Kono Samasya nai”, is a phrase that you hear often in Bangladesh.

Translated into English, the Bengali expression means “No problem, sir.”
Be it on the roads, trains, or in hotels or restaurants, you will come across this expression every now and then in Dhaka and other cities.
From the in-charge …. Original article  : In Dhaka, the refrain is ‘No problem, Sir’ (World Cup Diary).

‘Bogus Pakistan badminton team’ participated in Iran tournament: PBF

LAHORE – A ‘bogus Pakistan badminton team’ comprising unranked players had been sent to Iran to participate in the Fajr International Badminton Tournament, Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) Senior Vice-President Syed Naqi Mohsin has said.

Addressing a news conference, Mohsin said that the 10-member team comprising four men and six women players were sent without the consent …. Original article  : ‘Bogus Pakistan badminton team’ participated in Iran tournament: PBF.

Phil Jaques still hopeful of Oz Test comeback

SYDNEY – Australian batsman Phil Jaques has said that he still harbours dreams of returning to the highest level of the sport.

Jaques had played 11 Tests until 2008, till persistent back problems stalled his career.

The 31-year-old’s comment comes after he scored an unbeaten 128 for New South Wales in their Sheffield Shield match against Victoria … Read more >>.

Torres not to blame for Chelsea’s form slump: Ancelotti

LONDON – Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has said that the record-breaking signing of Fernando Torres was not to blame for the end of the revival of the club’s fortunes.

The signing of Torres has coincided with a winless and scoreless two matches, that has all but killed off Chelsea’s hopes of retaining their crown and has …. Source article  : Torres not to blame for Chelsea’s form slump: Ancelotti.

Bangladesh elect to field against India in World Cup opener

DHAKA – Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to field against India in the WOrld Cup opening match at the Shere Bangla National Stadium here Saturday.

India have picked three seamers in Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel and S. Sreesanth, leaving out left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra who is down with a sore … Read more : Bangladesh elect to field against India in World Cup opener.

Sixteen Indian boxers for junior Women’s World Championship

NEW DELHI – Sixteen junior and youth boxers will represent India in the Women’s World Championship scheduled in Turkey in April.

The April 21-May 1 event is the first of its kind and will display emerging boxing talents from all over the world and it is a good opportunity for young Indian women to sharpen … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sixteen Indian boxers for junior Women’s World Championship.

India, South Africa favourites to win World Cup: Parore

WELLINGTON – Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Adam Parore has said that India’s deep batting line up and their ability to play spin better makes them one of the favourites to win the World Cup.

Parore further said that South Africa is the other favourite team despite not having a good record in big tournaments, and added … Read more »»».

Gambhir is the most important player for India: Sohail

KARACHI – Former Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail rates Gautam Gambhir as Indias most important player maintaining that the reliable opener can give India the edge over other title contenders in World Cup 2011.

The former Test opener said Gambhir is the vital cog in Indias star-studded batting line-up because of his ability to play long …. Read the original article  : here.

Tough for New Zealand to replicate success of 2007 (Preview)

CHENNAI – New Zealand, semi-finalists in two of the previous three ICC World Cups, hope to at least replicate — if not better — those performances as they take on Kenya in their opening Group A fixture of the 2011 edition here Sunday.

In the run-up to the day game, there have been the usual … Read : Tough for New Zealand to replicate success of 2007 (Preview).

Tendulkar yearning to taste final glory in World Cup: Roebuck

SYDNEY – Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Muttiah Muralitharan are determined to shine in the World Cup, which begins today, but know one man’s high is another’s cruel disappointment, according to noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck.

“Tendulkar, Ponting, Kallis and Murali bring a ton of experience and a pile of yearning … Read : Tendulkar yearning to taste final glory in World Cup: Roebuck.

Collingwood glad to be back among runs ahead of World Cup opener

DHAKA – England all-rounder Paul Collingwood has said he is happy to have ended his run drought ahead of his team’s World Cup opener against the Netherlands on February 22.

Collingwood scored 65 out of England’s 273 all out in their second warm-up game against Pakistan, and then took 3-48 from 10 overs to bowl out …. Original article  : Collingwood glad to be back among runs ahead of World Cup opener.

Confident Brett Lee defends pace-dominated Oz attack for World Cup

AHMEDABAD – Australian pace spearhead Brett Lee emphases that their fast bowlers will be effective even on spin-friendly pitches of Indian Subcontinent during the cricket World Cup, beginning on Saturday in Bangladesh.

The defending champion team is stacked with fast bowlers with just only one frontline spinner in form of Jason Krejza, but Lee does not … Read more >>>.