Latest news with #Northamptonshire
India Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
How familiar are you with Ben Stokes's England? Meet the first-timers vs India
While the spotlight will be on the Indian team with Shubman Gill taking charge as the Test captain, the hosts, England, are also in a transition of their own. The side has brought in new talents in both the batting and bowling departments who will be facing India for the first time when the two sides meet in the first of a five-match Test series in mix of experience and potential seems to be the theme with which both squads have been built. However, some of the new faces have the chance to showcase why they should be considered to be the future of the Test us have a look at these names and what we can expect from them in this five-match affair. | Leeds Test, Day 1 Updates |HARRY BROOK The 26-year-old star from Yorkshire has been touted to be the next big thing in English cricket after Joe Root. He has already taken the captaincy role in the limited-overs setup, but now he will be focused on making his mark in his first encounter against India. Despite being a talented batter, Brook has yet to showcase his dominance, at least at home. When looking at the numbers, he has played in England, New Zealand and Pakistan, where he averages 39, 75, and 84, he has some experience under his belt, he will certainly fancy his chances of putting up some big runs, especially against a worthy opposition like India, to show he has what it takes to perform in the big SMITHThe Surrey-based wicketkeeper-batter has been known for his attacking intent, something that we usually see in Bazball. Embracing the approach altogether, the 24-year-old has arguably cemented the spot as the lead keeper. However, it will be interesting to see how he fares when it comes to the bowling quality that India holds. Jasprit Bumrah and co are not the ones that usually get pummelled for runs, and it could be an interesting watch should he opt for the attacking approach against the Indian bowling addition, he also seems to have got a hold of the conditions at home. He averages 49.10 at home as compared to 30 when playing away. His dynamism when coming out to bat could be a game-changer for England, which could bail them out of a dire situation if need CARSEThe bowling all-rounder has been in the mix when it comes to the white-ball scene, but has been putting in impressive performances with the ball. In the five Tests he has played, he has taken a total of 27 wickets. This will also be his first game at home, and it is very much a possibility that he will be a problem, considering that most of his wickets have come in New Zealand, an area with relatively similar conditions to the in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), South Africa, Carse carries a tattoo of its coordinates—anchoring his roots in every spell. He's the son of James Alexander Carse, a former Zimbabwean cricketer who played county cricket for Northamptonshire in TONGUEThe 28-year-old pacer has been on the fringes for the most part. But in the few games he has been a part of, he has certainly made an impact. On his Test debut at Lord's against Ireland, Tongue ran riot in the second innings, taking a five-for. He even featured in the Ashes, where at Lord's he was able to finish with five wickets as well, showcasing that he can perform against top teams as is one that looks to make use of the wobbled seam to his advantage, something different compared to the traditional swing bowlers, and this could be a handful, especially during times when variable bounce is prevalent.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
New police base for Kettering found but not yet bought
A building for a new police station in a town without one since 2017 has been found, a commissioner station on London Road in Kettering, Northamptonshire closed when officers relocated to the Weekley Wood Justice Centre on the outskirts of police, fire and crime commissioner (PFCC) Danielle Stone said her office was looking to purchase a Kettering building to convert it into a new policing hub and front her spokesperson said no more details could be given as "legal negotiations with the site owners" were needed. Labour's Ms Stone told a police, fire and crime panel meeting on Thursday it was "good news" a location in the town had been to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the former station in Kettering was sold in 2024 for £1.1m, of which the PFCC received £722,781 due to the split ownership with North Northamptonshire Council. The panel also heard a new station or base for Corby had not been the moment, people can talk to neighbourhood officers on the fourth floor of the Corby Cube respond to 999 calls in the town from the Northern Accommodation Building on the outskirts of short-staffed neighbourhood office was criticised last year when it emerged suspects had been told to take photos of themselves to prove they were complying with their bail conditions, rather than being checked by an hours were increased following Stone told the panel: "I've had people in my estates team spending hours and hours looking online, picking up the phone, talking to people in Corby, and we haven't come up with any satisfactory solution."She said if an appropriate building could not be found, police may have to operate out of more than one base. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
‘I sold my beautiful £4m home for HS2 eight years ago - and it's sat empty ever since'
A woman who sold her £4m home to the government eight years ago because of HS2 says the 10-bedroom property lies empty, despite a national housing crisis. Rachel Halvorsen cut the multi-million pound deal with the Department for Transport to sell the home, in Brackley in Northamptonshire, that her family converted from a barn in 1915. The agreement was struck for the farmhouse, along with a bungalow and cottage, because the HS2 line from London to Birmingham will cut through 25 per cent of the estate's 40 acres. Yet despite the residential properties located 300 metres from the line, and the sale completed eight years ago, only the cottage has been rented back out by HS2. The farmhouse and cottage lie empty, said Mrs Halvorsen, the swimming pool has been filled in, and a ceiling in the main house is believed to have fallen through. The empty house and bungalow, which Ms Halvorsen used to rent out for £1,000 a month, are among 402 homes which sit unoccupied along the HS2 routes, including the northern axed phase 2a and 2b lines to Manchester and Leeds. The DfT bought 1,475 homes, then passed them on to HS2 which aimed to rent them out to deliver value for money, and avoid empty properties in communities - but 27 per cent lie empty, The Independent can reveal. It comes as Labour desperately attempts to tackle a housing crisis, with deputy prime minister Angela Rayner doubling down on a pledge to build 1.5m new homes this week. HS2 has told The Independent some properties were not rented due to the cost of bringing them up to a 'lettable standard', while some may need to be demolished in the near future. But Mrs Halvorsen said she couldn't understand why her home, which fitted with a new fireplace when she left, could not have been put up for lease, along with the bungalow she had rented out. She said: 'It's such a waste of money - the house is so nice, the gardens are beautiful, but after being bought eight years ago, I can't believe the place has just sat there doing nothing while falling into disrepair. 'It's money that could have been going to the taxpayer. The house is now doomed for the 20 years or so it'll take to build the railway.' Mrs Halvorson's mother converted the barn into the family home, which she later inherited. Once a year, the gardens would be opened to the public. But now she can't stand going back to the property, after moving a half-hour's drive away. The cost of looking after the empty property will also have been expensive, she said, with 24/7 security required at one stage after travellers attempted to access the land. She said: 'Now it's all closed up, I don't like going back there, especially with all the construction work nearby. It's all rather sad, especially when people need homes.' It's a similar picture for other large properties bought by DfT. In Camden, which sits near London Euston, where a tunnel 4.5 miles long is planned to take HS2 passengers to Old Oak Common station, homes were purchased, including a mansion house for £7.4m five years ago, which the Camden New Journal reported last year still lay empty. On the northern legs of the HS2 project, despite the announcement to cancel the routes two years ago, HS2-owned properties not only sit empty, but there is no immediate sign when they could be sold back into communities. Last year, a transport minister said the government had to first rule out an alternative rail plan for the northern legs before the disposal of land and properties begins. The Independent understands an announcement will be made by the DfT in the summer. In the villages of Whitmore, Whitmore Heath and Madeley, about 50 houses were sold to HS2 to make way for he axed northern leg. But at least 20 are empty, claims Deborah Mallender, who lives in Madeley. The resident blamed HS2 for renting out only on short-term contracts, and the 'over-the-top' standards for properties put on the market. 'You walk around the village and you see the empty homes with ridge tiles that are coming off,' she said. 'They are being left to fall into rack and ruin, and one day HS2 will say they'll need to be pulled down and replaced. 'It's devastating for the community. Why aren't these properties being sold?' Whitmore parish councillor Ian Webb said security had to be stepped up in villages after one house was turned into a cannabis factory. He said: 'When the houses were sold they all appeared well-equipped for new people to come in, but instead many have been left empty. The whole situation is not popular with people in the village, it's taken away part of the community.' Carter Jonas was appointed to manage the homes on behalf of HS2. In Whitmore Heath, it is currently marketing huge detached homes for up to £3,000 a month on six and 12-month contracts. HS2 said it would sell surplus properties in line with government policy. A spokesperson said: 'Properties will only be sold once confirmed as surplus, and sales will follow a structured process, including compliance with the Crichel Down Rules [allowing previous owners to buy back the homes] and market valuation requirements.' A DfT spokesperson said: 'We will set out detailed plans for the land and property no longer required for the project later this summer – ensuring any sales deliver value for money and do not disrupt local property markets.'
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Business Standard
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
How to bat in English conditions: Here's what India legend Tendulkar said
India will be up against England without their experienced batters—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—in the five-match Test series. In the absence of the two stalwarts, the Indian batting line-up is touted to be weak in English conditions, where the Duke ball swings significantly whenever there is cloud cover. Check India vs England 1st Test full scorecard and match details here So, how should the Indian batters approach their innings in those changing conditions? India's great Sachin Tendulkar, who played five Test series in England between 1990 and 2011, laid out a template for batters. Tendulkar feels that batters need to be adequately flexible in tweaking their game as per conditions. Tendulkar has emphasised the importance of mental flexibility and situational awareness when facing challenging conditions in England. Speaking ahead of India's five-match Test series, the Master advised batters not to stick rigidly to their natural game. "You need to respect the conditions and bat accordingly," Tendulkar said. "It cannot be one-way traffic that my game is like this and I am going to play like this only." According to him, adapting to the moment is crucial. "If we respect that, then a lot of things can fall into place." Rigid approach comes with risk Tendulkar cautioned that being inflexible, regardless of conditions, could lead to costly mistakes. 'If one is adamant and doesn't believe in changing too many things, then sometimes you end up paying a heavy price,' he warned. The ability to shift gears, he said, helps a batter know when to attack and when to defend. Despite their inexperience at the international level in England, Tendulkar backed players like Karun Nair and B Sai Sudharsan, pointing to their county stints with Northamptonshire and Surrey. 'They have played in South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. All these experiences teach you a lot,' he said.
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Taxi drivers in North Northamptonshire fear zone changes
Taxi drivers in a county have told councillors they will be forced out of the profession due to the introduction of new policies include changes to vehicles and the scrapping of four taxi zones to create one covering the whole of north implementation has been delayed from April to September to coincide with a new set of byelaws for Hackney Carriage vehicles which are awaiting confirmation from the Department for carriage drivers have claimed a new enlarged taxi zone would be unworkable because they would struggle to learn all the streets. The new Reform UK executive on North Northamptonshire Council met for the first time on Tuesday. Henry Liffen, a licensed Hackney Carriage driver since 1988, said: "I am completely opposed to a new geographical test being proposed which would entail learning the whole of the north Northants zone, which is bigger than the knowledge test of London."If this new rule is passed with a heavy heart and sadness, as I operate a wheelchair accessible vehicle, I would hand my taxi licence back to north Northants council and thank them for taking my business away from me." Ricky Dunkley told the meeting he had been in the taxi trade in Wellingborough for more than 20 years, he raised concerns about the need to transition to wheelchair cars by said: "My current taxi cost me £8,000, under these current policies I would be expected to spend at least £65,000, that's a 700% increase on my investment. "If this goes through, I'll have no choice but to close my business or to move it to another council and work off cross border laws."Councillors unanimously approved a new draft Hackney Carriage and Taxi Licensing single zone was signed off last year by the previous Conservative-controlled council, but the new implementation date was approved on to the concerns raised George Candler, the executive director for place and economy, said: "We recognise the importance and livelihood of the trade and for that to be affordable, but we have a role as the licensing authority in setting out the policy and the changes we put within that."Kirk Harrison, the executive member for regulatory services, said: "It is not the final word on the matter."He told the meeting the council needed "a harmonised approach" but that a full review of the policy would be carried out by the end of 2025.A further report will be presented to full council at the end of this month for full policy and byelaws approval. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
