December 2004 in Sports - December 31, 2004

December 31, 2004

• Cricket: Many of the world's leading cricket teams have pledged money for the humanitarian effort in South-East Asia:
  • The English cricket team have personally pledged £15,000, with the Professional Cricketers Association adding a further £5,000
  • The Australian cricket team donated their prize money from the Melbourne test match
  • South Africa's cricket board, Cricket South Africa will make a donation, together with the sponsors of their test series against England
  • The Board of Control for Cricket in India has agreed to give Rs10million (£120,000), with the Indian cricket team donating their fees from their next One Day International
  • Bangladesh have agreed to donate the gate receipts from their forthcoming series at home against Zimbabwe, estimated to be US$10,000
  • The Federation of International Cricketers' Associations has proposed a one-day match on 11 or 12 January to raise more funds. All teams have supported the proposal, although English, South African, Bangladeshi and Zimabwean players are likely to be unavailable because of ongoing tour commitments. The ICC is likely to endorse any such game. (Cricinfo)
• In the UK's New Year's Honours, Matthew Pinsent is knighted; Kelly Holmes and Tanni Grey-Thompson become Dames. Other Olympians and sportspeople are also recognised. (BBC)
• College football bowl games:
  • The Minnesota Golden Gophers defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide 20–16 in the Music City Bowl. (ESPN)
  • The Arizona State Sun Devils defeat the Purdue Boilermakers 27–23 in a back-and-forth matchup in the Sun Bowl. (ESPN)
  • The Louisville Cardinals defeat the Boise State Broncos 44–40 in the Liberty Bowl, ending the Broncos' 22-game winning streak. (ESPN)
  • The Miami Hurricanes defeat the Florida Gators 27–10 in the Peach Bowl. (ESPN)