Sports News – Newsletter for February 25, 2011

Injured Fabregas pulling out all stops to play in Sunday’s Carling Cup final

LONDON – Skipper Cesc Fabregas will today urge Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to change his mind and give him a chance to play in Sunday’s Carling Cup final.

Fabregas limped out of Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Stoke but has set his heart on helping end Arsenal’s six-year wait for a major trophy and is ready to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Injured Fabregas pulling out all stops to play in Sunday’s Carling Cup final.

Lampard clocked driving at nearly 93mph in a 50mph zone

LONDON – England footballer Frank Lampard was clocked driving at nearly 93mph in a 50mph zone.

Cops allegedly snared him with a speed gun on the A3 Esher bypass at Claygate, Surrey, one afternoon last March, a court heard on Thursday.

The Chelsea star, 32, did not attend the hearing, where a request for access to extra … Read more »»».

Binge drinking pretty much ruined my career, says ex-Man U goalkeeper

LONDON – Former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll reckons that alcohol has ruined his career.

Carroll had spent four years at Old Trafford from 2001 to 2005, and recently won awards at Denmark’s Odense.

“I went through a stage of my life when I was binge drinking. I was stupid. It has pretty much ruined my … Original source on Gaea Times at : Binge drinking pretty much ruined my career, says ex-Man U goalkeeper.

Pak will “have to give more than 100 per cent effort” to beat mighty Sri Lanka: Afridi

HAMBANTOTA – Pakistan limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi has said that the comfortable win against Kenya gave Pakistan’s World Cup crusade a good start, but they will have to give “more than 100 per cent effort” if they desire to beat mighty Sri Lanka in front of their home crowd on Saturday.

Pakistan opened their World Cup … Read more : Pak will “have to give more than 100 per cent effort” to beat mighty Sri Lanka: Afridi.

Sehwag hit on the ribs, will be fit for England tie

BANGALORE – Destructive opener Virender Sehwag was hit on the left ribcage while batting in the nets Friday, but will be fit to play against England in India’s second World Cup game here Sunday.

“Virender Sehwag was hit on the left ribcage in the nets earlier today. He is currently under medication. However, he is …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Beckham finally returns to Los Angeles Galaxy training camp

WASHINGTON – Ace midfielder David Beckham, who was training with Tottenham Hotspur for the past six weeks to get fit for the start of the new Major League Soccer season, has finally returned to the Los Angeles Galaxy’s training camp.

Beckham returned to training on Thursday following an extended stay to train with Tottenham.

Beckham, whose contract … Read more : Beckham finally returns to Los Angeles Galaxy training camp.

World Cup: Bangladesh elect to bat against Ireland

DHAKA – Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat against Ireland in a World Cup Group B match at the Shere Bangla National Stadium here Friday.

Experienced Batsman Mohammad Ashraful made a return to the playing eleven for the home team.
Teams:
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mushfiqur …. Original article  : World Cup: Bangladesh elect to bat against Ireland.

McCullum, Vettori guide New Zealand to 206

NAGPUR – A gutsy-half century from Nathan McCullum guided New Zealand to 206 against Australia in a World Cup Group A match here Friday.

Nathan (52) and captain Daniel Vettori (44) added a valuable 54 runs for the eighth wicket that helped New Zealand recover from a precarious 73 for six on a damp wicket …. Source article  : McCullum, Vettori guide New Zealand to 206.

Scoreboard of New Zealand innings against Australia

NAGPUR – The following is the scoreboard of the New Zealand innings against Australia in a World Cup Group A match here Friday:

New Zealand:
Martin Guptill b Watson 10
Brendon McCullum c Krejza b Tait 16
Jesse Ryder c Haddin b Johnson 25
Ross Taylor … Read more >>.

Pak batsmen “know how to tackle” Sri Lanka’s formidable M-factor: Misbah

COLOMBO – Pakistan are not intimidated by Sri Lanka’s M-factor- Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga- as they are “used to facing them” and their batsmen “know how to tackle them,” Pakistan’s World Cup vice-captain Misbah-ul-Haq has said.

Pakistan will play against Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday, and will endeavour to keep …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pak batsmen “know how to tackle” Sri Lanka’s formidable M-factor: Misbah.

New Zealand, Australia cricketers pay tribute to quake victims (Diary)

NAGPUR – New Zealand and Australian cricketers were overcome with emotion as they paid tribute to the victims of the Christchurch earthquake before the start of their World Cup match here Friday.

The players observed a minutes silence at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Jamtha.
Later, when the national anthem was played, …. Read the original article  : New Zealand, Australia cricketers pay tribute to quake victims (Diary).

New Zealand all out for 206 against Australia

NAGPUR – New Zealand were bowled out for 206 against Australia in the Group A World Cup match here Friday.

Nathan McCullum (52) and Daniel Vettori (44) helped New Zealand recover from a precarious 121/7.
Fast bowler Mitchel Johnson took four wickets while Shaun Tait got three as New Zealand folded up in 45.1 overs.
…. Original source  : New Zealand all out for 206 against Australia.

Tiger Woods’ ex mistress lists Park Ave. pad for $1.95M

NEW YORK – Tiger Woods’ former mistress Rachel Uchitel has put her Park Ave. apartment on sale for 1.95 million dollars.

“I renovated it and it’s gorgeous. I don’t live in New York full time, and it’s a good time to sell. Other units are available on my floor, and mine is mint condition and cheaper,” …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Tiger Woods’ ex mistress lists Park Ave. pad for $1.95M.

Hameed disappointed by PCB’s fine, season-long ban over match-fixing interview

LAHORE – Discarded Pakistan batsman Yasir Hameed has expressed his disappointment over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to fine and ban him for the remainder of the domestic season for breaching the code of conduct during Pakistan’s England tour last year.

Hameed has been fined 300,000 rupees by the PCB’s Integrity Committee for discussing with a …. Original article  : Hameed disappointed by PCB’s fine, season-long ban over match-fixing interview.

Time with Delhi Daredevils in IPL helped us beat Windies: De Villiers

NEW DELHI – AB de Villiers, who made an unbeaten 107, used his Indian Premier League experience to good use, leading South Africa to a comfortable seven-wicket World Cup win over the West Indies.

The 27-year-old De Villiers said his time with Delhi Daredevils in the IPL had allowed him to share vital inside information with …. Read the original article  : here.

Bopara may be dropped for India tie despite timely cameo against Netherlands

LONDON – England batsman Ravi Bopara is familiar with the pressure of playing in Bangalore and is convinced that he can thrive if given the opportunity to play against India in the World Cup tie on Sunday.

Bopara’s timely 30 off 20 balls ensured England scampered home against the Netherlands, but he may not even make …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Lankan singer apologises for offensive World Cup song against India, Oz

COLOMBO – The Sri Lankan singer, who composed a song backing the country in the 2011 Cricket World Cup, has apologised after his much-hyped song was

banned, as President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed his disapproval of the lyrics over fears that it might cause offence to other competitors.

The pop video, which is mainly in Sinhala with …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Lankan singer apologises for offensive World Cup song against India, Oz.

Qatari royal family to make fresh 1.5 billion pound bid for Man U

LONDON – The Al Thani family, the royal family of Qatar, is reportedly preparing a fresh 1.5 billion pound bid for Manchester United.

The family had tried to tempt the Glazers earlier this month with an offer of just over a billion pounds, but the bid was turned down by the Americans, who are holding …. Original article  : Qatari royal family to make fresh 1.5 billion pound bid for Man U.

Sri Lanka to end Pakistan’s cricketing isolation with October series in country

NEW DELHI – Sri Lanka has decided to end Pakistan’s cricketing isolation in October-November by touring the country to play three Test matches, five One-dayers and one Twenty20 match.

Sri Lanka will thus become the first nation to tour Pakistan after the terror attack in March 2009 in Lahore.

Sri Lanka is scheduled to tour Pakistan …. Source article  : Sri Lanka to end Pakistan’s cricketing isolation with October series in country.

Hurley and Warne’s romance is the real deal, says pal

MELBOURNE – The budding romance between Shane Warne and Liz Hurley is the real deal, according to one of the spin king’s friends.

Comedian Glenn Robbins shared Chinese takeaway and a bottle of wine with the pair at Warne’s Brighton mansion in February and said the pair made a great couple.

“It really was just a mate …. Source  : Gaea News Network.