Sports News – Newsletter for February 27, 2011

Becks tougher than gansters, says tattooist

LONDON – Soccer star David Beckham, who recently revealed his latest body art on Facebook, sat through the 6-hour procedure without flinching, according to his tattooist.

Mark Mahoney, who has given inkings to Bruce Willis, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp and all the Spice Girls, revealed how the footballer braved the pain.

“He was super cool. He hung …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Becks tougher than gansters, says tattooist.

Decision to dump Hussey would hurt Oz World Cup campaign: Steve Waugh

SYDNEY – Former Australian captain Steve Waugh has described the selectors’ decision to dump batsman Michael Hussey from the World Cup squad as “staggering”.

Hussey was dumped after being considered too big a risk following his surgery on a hamstring tendon last month.

“If Mike Hussey could have been fit to play in the tournament, he should …. Read the original article  : here.

Waugh urges Aussies to acknowledge International Rare Disease Day

SYDNEY – Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh wants everyone to know that Australia is not the lucky country for everyone, and is urging people to acknowledge international Rare Disease Day tomorrow.

“It’s ridiculous to think that the situation exists in a country like Australia where oxygen is not catered for,” Waugh said.

He was speaking of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Waugh urges Aussies to acknowledge International Rare Disease Day.

Windies will not have it easy against Netherlands (Preview)

NEW DELHI – Their spirited showing against England has given the so-called minnows the Netherlands a shot in the arm in the World Cup. Now, they won’t be taken lightly by the West Indies, who they play here Monday in a Group B encounter.

The West Indies, burdened by legacy and injuries, cannot afford to … Read more : Windies will not have it easy against Netherlands (Preview).

Cash prizes for Jharkhand medal winners in National Games

RANCHI – The Dhirubhai Ambani Foundation Sunday awarded cash prizes to Jharkhand’s medal winners at the just-concluded 34th National Games here.

The awards — Rs.41,000 for gold medal winners, Rs.31,000 for silver medal winners and Rs.21,000 for bronze medal winners — were given at a function held here.
Jharkhand assembly speaker C.P. Singh, Jharkhand Olympic …. Original source  : Cash prizes for Jharkhand medal winners in National Games.

India elect to bat against England

BANGALORE – Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat against England in their World Cup Group B match here Sunday.

India made one change to the side that beat Bangaldesh in the first match, replacing S. Sreesnath with leg-spinner Piyush Chawla.
England made two changes. They included left-arm spinner Michael … Read more >>>.

Carnival at Chinnaswamy stadium ahead of India-England tie

BANGALORE – “I love India” headbands, blue t-shirts to match the Indian team’s colours, placards warning of explosive batting by Indians and roars of “India will win” – it was carnival time at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here Sunday ahead of the India-England cricket World Cup clash.

The day-night match at the stadium is only …. Original article  : Carnival at Chinnaswamy stadium ahead of India-England tie.

Black Caps need to treat WC match against Zimbabwe with caution: Doull

WELLINGTON – New Zealand would need to approach their next World Cup match against Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad with caution, following their loss to Australia in Nagpur, says former Black Cap player Simon Doull.

According to Doull, the nature of the World Cup tournament means the Black Caps have sufficient time to atone for their showing in … Read : Black Caps need to treat WC match against Zimbabwe with caution: Doull.

Pak have “certain chance” in World Cup after win over Lankans: Sohail

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan “have a certain chance” in the ICC World Cup 2011 following their 11-run win against Sri Lanka on Saturday, former captain Aamir Sohail has said.

Pakistan beat a powerful Sri Lankan side for their consecutive second World Cup win as skipper Shahid Afridi came up with another superb bowling performance after his five-wicket … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pak have “certain chance” in World Cup after win over Lankans: Sohail.

Nielsen says ’slow’ Oz openers on right track for World Cup

SYDNEY – Australian coach Tim Nielsen has defended his opening batsmen, who have been criticized for their slow scoring against Zimbabwe, saying that they did as asked and will continue to stick to their World Cup plans.

Shane Watson (79 off 92 balls) and Brad Haddin (29 off 66) were slow out of the blocks in …. Read the original article  : Nielsen says ’slow’ Oz openers on right track for World Cup.

WC 2011: Indian cricketers in good form, can deliver, says Srikkanth

BANGALORE – Chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes that the Indian cricketers are in good form, and will deliver a victory for the country against England in its second World Cup 2011 fixture to be held today.

Interacting with media persons, Srikkanth said: “I think everybody (players) is in reasonably good form and I am confident that …. Source article  : WC 2011: Indian cricketers in good form, can deliver, says Srikkanth.

Pak must improve fielding or be ready for early flight back: Afridi

COLOMBO – Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has warned his teammates that mistakes in the field similar to those committed during the thrilling 11-run win over Sri Lanka in their World Cup clash may lead to an early return home.

Pakistan spilled catches, missed run-outs and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal twice fumbled with stumpings of Sri Lankan captain … Read more : Pak must improve fielding or be ready for early flight back: Afridi.

Hussey’s selection in Oz World Cup squad will undermine faith in batsmen: Shipperd

SYDNEY – Victorian coach Greg Shipperd believes that including batsman Michael Hussey in Australia’s 15-man World Cup squad in place of injured fast bowler Doug Bollinger would skew the balance of the squad, and undermine the faith in the batsmen.

“You’ve got to back your batters. They’re all fit and healthy and they’re your first choice. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Hussey’s selection in Oz World Cup squad will undermine faith in batsmen: Shipperd.

Wenger to offer six players new contracts

LONDON – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will offer six players new contracts this summer in a move to keep rival buyers at bay.

Wenger wants the stability and security that the new deals would offer.

According to The Telegraph, Samir Nasri, Andrei Arshavin, Ga???l Clichy, Johan Djourou, Tomas Rosicky and Lukasz Fabianski are in line for … Read more »»».

Sports Minister Maken gives National Games closing ceremony a miss

Ranchi, Feb.27 (ANI):The closing ceremony of 34th National Games that was held here on Saturday evening ended without Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken.

Apparently Maken did not want to be seen with disgraced Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi in the wake of the recent controversies surrounding the XIXth Commonwealth Games that were held … Read : Sports Minister Maken gives National Games closing ceremony a miss.

Sports Minister Maken gives National Games closing ceremony a miss

Ranchi, Feb.27 (ANI):The closing ceremony of 34th National Games that was held here on Saturday evening ended without Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken.

Apparently Maken did not want to be seen with disgraced Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi in the wake of the recent controversies surrounding the XIXth Commonwealth Games that were held … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sports Minister Maken gives National Games closing ceremony a miss.

Sports Minister Maken gives National Games closing ceremony a miss

RANCHI -The closing ceremony of 34th National Games that was held here on Saturday evening ended without Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken.

Apparently Maken did not want to be seen with disgraced Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi in the wake of the recent controversies surrounding the XIXth Commonwealth Games that were held in …. Read the original article  : Sports Minister Maken gives National Games closing ceremony a miss.

Siddle or Hastings to replace injured Bollinger in Oz World Cup squad

SYDNEY – Australian fast bowlers Peter Siddle and John Hastings have emerged as frontline options to replace injured fast bowler Doug Bollinger in the World Cup team.

Bollinger will return home after sustaining the injury in the defending champion’ seven-wicket win over New Zealand.

The selectors could consider batsman Michael Hussey, who was initially ruled out through … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Siddle or Hastings to replace injured Bollinger in Oz World Cup squad.

Cloudy sky ahead of India-England tie

BANGALORE – Scores of fans queued up at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here Sunday morning for the day-night India-England World Cup cricket match. But with the sun playing hide and seek, the hot topic of discussion was — would rain play spoilsport?

Their concern was palpable as the meteorological department predicted 60 percent chance of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Cloudy sky ahead of India-England tie.

Ashley Cole ’shoots’ Chelsea intern with air rifle

LONDON – Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has accidentally shot a 21-year-old student with .22 air rifle.

Cole apparently turned up at the club’s Cobham training ground holding the weapon, and accidentally discharged the gun from a distance of 5ft.

Tom Cowan, a Loughborough University sports science student on a year’s work placement with Chelsea, was in the … Read more : Ashley Cole ’shoots’ Chelsea intern with air rifle.