Sports News – Newsletter for February 22, 2011

FIH to launch World League

LAUSANNE – The International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced the launch of an FIH World League in 2012 involving all the top countries and has sent out invitations to its members.

The FIH World League is set to make its debut in 2012 and will give every member of the FIH the opportunity to play for … Original source on Gaea Times at : FIH to launch World League.

Netherlands opt to bat against England

NAGPUR – The Netherlands captain Peter Borren won the toss and opted to bat against England in a Group B match of the World Cup at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Jamtha here Tuesday.

Teams:
The Netherlands: Peter Borren (captain), Alexei Kervezee, Wesley Barresi (wicketkeeper), Tom Cooper, Ryan ten Doeschate, Bas Zuiderent, …. Original source  : Netherlands opt to bat against England.

Barca coach Guardiola admits defeat in luring Gunners skipper Fabregas

BARCELONA – Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly conceded defeat in his pursuit of Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas by admitting that Ars???ne Wenger will not sell any of his best players.

Barcelona had two bids turned down last summer for Fabregas and, while Samir Nasri and Jack Wilshere have also impressed Guardiola this season, there …. Source  : Barca coach Guardiola admits defeat in luring Gunners skipper Fabregas.

Hampshire sign Afridi for Twenty20 campaign

LONDON – Hampshire have signed Pakistan’s limited overs captain Shahid Afridi for their Friends Provident t20 campaign.

The 30-year-old all-rounder will become Hampshire’s second overseas player for the tournament, alongside South African spinner Imran Tahir, the BBC reports.Having played at the Rose Bowl for Pakistan, I know it’s becoming one of the best places to …. Read the original article  : here.

Caster Semenya plans to make 1,500m bid in 2012 Olympics

PRETORIA – World 800 metre champion Caster Semenya has said she is planning to of participate in the 1,500 metres race at next year’s London Olympics.

“It is part of my preparation for my first Olympics. I’m looking forward to it and the plan is to include the 1,500 metres at the Olympics,” The Daily Express … Read : Caster Semenya plans to make 1,500m bid in 2012 Olympics.

Chappell says he never told Mike Hussey to retire

MELBOURNE – Australian cricket selector Greg Chappell has refuted suggestions in the media that he had advised Mike Hussey to retire.

Labelling such a claim as “untrue”, Chappell said that he had met Hussey in Perth last month, but did not tell him to consider retiring from international cricket in the wake of his hamstring surgery.

Hussey …. Read the original article  : here.

Dark horse England can give WC title contenders a run for their money: Swann

NAGPUR – England off-spinner Graeme Swann has said that he is determined to go back home with a handful of World Cup wickets to make up for being away from his wife and new-born son Wilfred for six weeks.

In an article for The Sun, Swann said: “England boys go into the tournament rated as underdogs …. Read the original article  : Dark horse England can give WC title contenders a run for their money: Swann.

Ex-Test opener Jacques puts his hand up for Oz team selection

MELBOURNE – Former Australian left-hand opener Phil Jaques appears to be putting his hand up again for national selection after scoring consecutive first class centuries against Victoria, despite a lion-hearted effort from Test pacer Peter Siddle.

Thanks to Jacques, who was out of first class cricket until recently with a serious back injury that required a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Injury to Brazil’s Anderson, a huge blow for Man U’s treble trophy hopes

LONDON – A knee injury to Brazilian mid-fielder Anderson has delivered a huge blow to Manchester United’s chances of gunning for three titles in the 2010-11 season.

Anderson faces up to two months out after taking a knock to the knee in Saturday’s clash with Crawley. According to The Sun, scans have revealed cartilage damage.

United, however, …. Source  : Injury to Brazil’s Anderson, a huge blow for Man U’s treble trophy hopes.

Ponting bats for ICC move to reduce World Cup playing teams

AHMEDABAD – Australian captain Ricky Ponting is reportedly in favour of reducing the number of teams playing the World Cup and the Champions Trophy to ten from 14 at present.

He believed the International Cricket Council’s decision in this regard was justifiable.

“You need to be bringing some of these smaller nations on in the world of …. Original source  : Ponting bats for ICC move to reduce World Cup playing teams.

Chelsea FC not dead yet, says coach Ancelotti

LONDON – Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti does not believe that the club’s 2010-11 season is over, though he knows that he fighting an uphill battle to retain his job after overseeing the worst run of results in the Roman Abramovich era.

Chelsea will face FC Copenhagen in the Champions League tonight and Ancelotti said: “This …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Chelsea FC not dead yet, says coach Ancelotti.

Fit and firing Oz pace attack holds key to winning 2011 WC: Ponting

AHMEDABAD – Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes that his team’s pace bowlers hold the key to the side winning its fourth successive World Cup title.

“If we get those three (Lee, Johnson and Tait) up and running and bowling as well as they can, then I don’t care what team we’re playing against or what conditions …. Source  : Fit and firing Oz pace attack holds key to winning 2011 WC: Ponting.

Gunners, Barca in bitter bust up over footie wonderkid Toral

LONDON – Arsenal and Barcelona are locked in a bitter bust-up over the former trying to snatch 16-year-old wonderkid Jon Miquel Toral Harper from their academy, just like they did with Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas.

According to a Sun Sport report, the dispute erupted before both clubs clashed at the Emirates last Wednesday.

Barca president Sandro …. Source  : Gunners, Barca in bitter bust up over footie wonderkid Toral.

Warne’s ex reveals they were still living together during Hurley fling

LONDON – In an interview with Australian magazine New Idea, Shane Warne’s ex-wife Simone Callahan has revealed that she was still living with the spin king when news of his relationship with Liz Hurley broke.

The 41-year-old said although the couple had parted ways two months earlier, they were continuing to live under the same roof …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Warne’s ex reveals they were still living together during Hurley fling.

Aussies need to perform better to make it to WC 2011 final: Ponting

AHMEDABAD – Australian captain Ricky Ponting has warned his team that they need to perform better if they want to make it to the final of the 2011 World Cup for a fourth consecutive time.

Addressing mediapersons after Australia’s 91-run victory over Zimbabwe on Monday evening, Ponting said: “We need to play better. We need to …. Original article  : Aussies need to perform better to make it to WC 2011 final: Ponting.

Messi to sue Argentine legislator for using photo in campaign

BUENOS AIRES – Barcelona striker Lionel Messi plans to sue an Argentine legislator for using the footballer’s photograph in a political campaign without permission, Messi’s lawyers said Monday.

Lawyer Ricardo Giusepponi said Messi would take legal action against legislator Alfredo Olmedo because “he never consented” to having his photo used in the campaign.
The photo … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Messi to sue Argentine legislator for using photo in campaign.

Scoreboard: Australia vs. Zimbabwe, World Cup Group A

AHMEDABAD – Scoreboard of the World Cup Group A match between Australia and Zimbabwe at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera here Monday.

Australia:
Shane Watson lbw b Cremer 79
Brad Haddin lbw b Utseya 29
Ricky Ponting run out (Mpofu) 28
Michael Clarke not out 58
Cameron White b Mpofu 22 … Original article on : Scoreboard: Australia vs. Zimbabwe, World Cup Group A.

World Cup: Australia beat Zimbabwe by 91 runs

AHMEDABAD – Australia defeated Zimbabwe by 91 runs in a World Cup Group A match here Monday.

Chasing a victory target of 263 runs, Zimbabwe were all out for 171 in 46.2 overs.
Ray Price (37) Sean Williams (28) were the top scorers for Zimbabwe.
Mitchell Johnson took four wickets for Australia. Shaun Tait and … Read this article on Gaea Times at : World Cup: Australia beat Zimbabwe by 91 runs.

Netherlands ready to prove its mettle in the game, says captain

NAGPUR -The Netherlands cricket team captain, Peter Borren,on Monday expressed confidence about young talent proving their mettle in the World Cup.

Netherlands would be playing experienced England here on Tuesday.

In their last meeting at the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup at Lord’s, Netherlands registered a surprise win over England.

Borren said his team is looking forward to the … Read more »»».

Chappell denies advising Hussey to retire

SYDNEY – Australian selector and former India coach Greg Chappell has denied advising experienced batsman Michael Hussey to retire.

Hussey was dropped from the Australian World Cup squad as the selectors deemed it risky to include him after his recent hamstring surgery.
The 35-year-old is furious at the decision as he felt he would have …. Read the original article  : here.