Sports News – Newsletter for February 20, 2011

India need to tighten their fielding

NEW DELHI – Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he was by and large satisfied with his teams performance in the inaugural match of the 2011 Cricket World Cup against Bangladesh. You cant quarrel with him after an emphatic 87-run victory.

Since he had to touch upon at least one glaring deficiency, he chose to …. Original article  : India need to tighten their fielding.

‘Ponting must aspire to win instead of defending World Cup’, says Steve Waugh

SYDNEY – Former Australian captain Steve Waugh has said that Ricky Ponting’s leadership will be tested during the World Cup over how he embraces life on the subcontinent.

Waugh said that if Australia shows their desire to win then they would be rewarded with their fourth-straight world crown.

“For any captain, the World Cup is the pinnacle …. Read the original article  : here.

Sri Lanka opt to bat against Canada

HAMBANTOTA – Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat against Canada in a World Cup Group A match at the Mahindra Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium here Sunday.

Sri Lanka decided to go with two specialist spinners in Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis. Pace spearhead Lasith Malinga does not feature in the playing eleven.
…. Read the original article  : Sri Lanka opt to bat against Canada.

Cricket games cash in on World Cup fever

NEW DELHI – With the cricket World Cup on, why not create your own team, or better still, buy or sell any player? Aiming to cash in on the World Cup fever, various online gaming sites have launched cricket games to woo netizens and gamers can play it on their mobile phones too.

“We have … Read : Cricket games cash in on World Cup fever.

We have got the winning momentum: Sehwag

DHAKA – Indias dashing opener Virender Sehwag says the victories in back-to-back warm up games and the tournament opener have given the momentum to Indias World Cup campaign.

Momentum is very important for every series. We have got the momentum after winning the two practice games and the opening match here. We have got the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Music composers dedicate their tunes to boost Team India’s confidence

RANCHI – A group of artists in Jharkhand have composed and dedicated their music album to the Indian cricket team in order to boost their confidence to lift the ICC World Cup.

Jyoti Sahu, a local singer, has composed an entire music album for the Indian team.uring her interaction with media persons, she said that the …. Source  : Music composers dedicate their tunes to boost Team India’s confidence.

Trott latest injured cricketer of England team

LONDON – Batsman Jonathan Trott became the latest injured player in the England team after suffering a finger problem which he picked up before Friday’s warm-up victory over Pakistan.oach Andy Flower said last night: “Trott had an X-ray on the finger after being hit against Pakistan.t’s quite badly bruised. It’s a finger that he’s had …. Original source  : Trott latest injured cricketer of England team.

PCB irked with Malik over unavailability for Pentangular Cup

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Cricket Board and the national selectors are miffed with former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik over his decision not to play in the Pentangular Cup, a domestic tournament.

Malik, who was excluded from Pakistan’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2011, had turned down the offer to lead the Punjab team in the …. Source article  : PCB irked with Malik over unavailability for Pentangular Cup.

New Zealand beat Kenya by 10-wickets in World Cup Group A opener

CHENNAI – New Zealand claimed an emphatic 10-wicket victory in their opening World Cup match against bowling Kenya on Sunday.

Kenyan captain Jimmy Kamande won the toss and chose to bat first at Chennai’s M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, but they collapsed from 40 for one to 69 all out in 23.5 overs.

lack Caps fast bowler Hamish Bennett …. Source  : New Zealand beat Kenya by 10-wickets in World Cup Group A opener.

Afridi urges senior Pak players to deliver in World Cup 2011

KARACHI – Pakistan limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi has urged the experienced players in the national squad to shoulder the burden of responsibility at the 2011 World Cup, following a disappointing defeat in their final warm-up match.

England defeated Pakistan in Friday’s match by 67 runs, however, Afridi insisted that bouncing back was nothing new for … Original article on : Afridi urges senior Pak players to deliver in World Cup 2011.

Eunuchs pray for the success of Indian cricket team

KANPUR/BHOPAL – Eunuchs fans of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have performed religious rituals and offered prayers for victory of the Indian cricket team in 2011 World Cup.

“We prayed for the victory of our Indian team, India wins World Cup. We prayed for these players and we want our India to be the best team,” …. Original source  : Eunuchs pray for the success of Indian cricket team.

We didn’t expect to win this easily: Vettori

CHENNAI – New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori Sunday credited his bowlers for dismissing Kenya for a paltry 69, but said he never expected an easy win against the East African nation.

The Kiwis chased the total in eight overs and registered a ten-wicket victory at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
“We did not expect to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : We didn’t expect to win this easily: Vettori.

Barcelona under pressure after home win for Real Madrid

MADRID – Real Madrid moved within two points of Spanish leaders Barcelona Saturday with a comfortable 2-0 home defeat of lowly Levante, with first-half goals from Karim Benzema and Ricardo Carvalho.

Jose Mourinho’s team now have 60 points from 24 games. Barcelona, who receive fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao Sunday, have 62 from 23.
The Portuguese coach …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Barcelona under pressure after home win for Real Madrid.

Easy win for New Zealand against Kenya (Second Lead)

CHENNAI – Minnows Kenya sank without a trace in the hallowed turf of the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium as New Zealand warmed up nicely for their ICC Cricket World Cup campaign with a 10-wicket win in a Group A fixture here Sunday.

The Kenyans collapsed to 69 all out in just 23.5 overs as the Black … Read : Easy win for New Zealand against Kenya (Second Lead).

Scoreboard: New Zealand vs. Kenya, Group A, World Cup

CHENNAI – The following is the scoreboard the Group A World Cup match between Kenya and New Zealand at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here Sunday.

Kenya:
Alex Obanda lbw Southee 6
Seren Waters lbw Bennett 16
Collins Obuya lbw Bennett 14
Steve Tikolo b Bennett 2
Maurice Ouma lbw Bennett 1
Rakep Patel not … Original source on Gaea Times at : Scoreboard: New Zealand vs. Kenya, Group A, World Cup.

New Zealand beat Kenya by 10 wickets

CHENNAI – New Zealand defeated Kenya by 10 wickets in a Group A match of the World Cup at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here Sunday.

Opting to bat first, Kenya were bowled out for 69 runs, which was the fifth lowest total in the World Cup. New Zealand made 72 for no loss in eight …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : New Zealand beat Kenya by 10 wickets.

Four English teams will reach Champions League quarterfinals: Ferguson

LONDON – Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes that all four English teams will reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Encouraged by victories involving Tottenham and Arsenal last week, United will be searching for the same when they travel to Marseille on Wednesday night in the Champions League’s knockout round of 16.

Ferguson said: “Sending four clubs … Original article on : Four English teams will reach Champions League quarterfinals: Ferguson.

Indian cricket fans celebrates victory over Bangladesh

RANCHI – Fans in Ranchi celebrated India’s victory over Bangladesh in inaugural match of the 2011 World Cup.

India defeated Bangladesh by 87 runs in the first match of the 2011 Cricket World Cup on Saturday at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka.

Enthusiastic fans came out on the streets in the middle of …. Original source  : Indian cricket fans celebrates victory over Bangladesh.

Obama coaches daughter Sasha’s basketball team while she goes skiing

NEW YORK – US President Barack Obama on Saturday took over as the coach of his younger daughter’s basketball team even though she was not there.

Obama helped coach 9-year-old Sasha’s team because the usual parent who runs the team was unable to attend, reports the New York Daily News.

Sasha and her older sister, Malia, are … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Obama coaches daughter Sasha’s basketball team while she goes skiing.

Kenya’s 69 is the fifth lowest in World Cup

CHENNAI – Kenyas total of 69 all out here Sunday against New Zealand at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium was the fifth lowest in the history of ICC Cricket World Cup and the teams worst ever batting display in the event.

Kenyas previous lowest total in the World Cup was 104 against the West Indies eight …. Source  : Kenya’s 69 is the fifth lowest in World Cup.