Latest from Alam El Syarat
Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Ravi Shastri gobsmacked watching India youngster bat, immediately asked 'Who's this bloke?', told selectors 'get him in'
During his time as India's head coach, Ravi Shastri unearthed quite a few gems. Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Prithvi Shaw, T Natarajan, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill to name a few. Even Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah made their Test debuts, as did Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari and Karun Nair. Unfortunately, many of these names faded away. Some slipped down in the pecking order, such as Mayank and Vihari, and even Pandya, whose body gave up on him, denying the rigours of playing all three formats. The ones who did make it, though, were Gill and Bumrah – one became world cricket's greatest pacer, the other India's Test captain. Ravi Shastri recalls being blown away watching the Indian youngster bat.(AFP) A lot of players come every now and then, but very rarely does a young cricketer emerge who captivates the imagination like no one else. Indian cricket has been divided into heroes over the last five decades. From Sunil Gavaskar, the baton passed to Sachin Tendulkar, then Virat Kohli, and, if the hype is to be believed, now Gill. India's newly crowned Test captain, Gill, started off the tour of England on a blazing note, scoring a defiant half-century when India had lost two wickets in two overs before lunch. An elated Shastri, in the commentary box, seemed over the moon watching one of his discoveries on the fast track to success. Also Read: India vs England Live Score, 1st Test Day 1 Watching Gill thrive, Shastri's mind harked back to 2018, when an 18-year-old Gill was sweating it as part of India's Under-19 squad. Gill was the Player of the tournament as India won the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand seven years ago. The former India head coach recalled being blown away watching Gill and urged the BCCI not to waste time in giving him a chance with the senior team. That is when Gill made a lot of heads turn. He just seemed to have time, more than anyone else, as he bludgeoned through the likes of Pakistan and Australia. Also Read: Sai Sudharsan's woeful shot to get out for a duck on debut leaves Gautam Gambhir distraught "He's got the flair, he's got the game. And he's not the kind who changes his approach because it comes naturally to him. There's no doubting his talent. When he came on the scene, everyone knew that here's a player who's going to be around for a decade. There's no doubt about that. I remember seeing him for the first time when I was the coach and he was batting in the nets. He came out to bat and I went to the other coaches and said 'Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Who is this bloke? Get him in." Gill's India debut About a year later, Gill made his India debut during an ODI series in New Zealand, just a couple of months before the 2019 World Cup. Gill then made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test match against Australia at the MCG and scored an unbeaten 48 as India completed a famous win after their infamous 36 all out in Adelaide. "He had that regal element about him. Just the way he played, and the shots he possessed. Especially against the quicks and the bouncing ball. He started off well during the Under-19 World Cup when Rahul [Dravid] was the coach. And just came through the ranks nicely," added Shastri. It's a challenge in itself when someone comes through, and everyone says this is the future of the country. More so in India, where expectations go through the roof. For all the pieces of the puzzle, Gill seems to have come through nicely. Having made it in the ODIs, he's now grinding it out in Test set-up.
BBC News
27 minutes ago
- Business
- BBC News
Lydney residents and businesses to celebrate reopening of bridge
Residents are holding a celebration for the reopening of a bridge, almost eight months on from when it was damaged by flooding and a bridge on Newerne Street, Lydney, closed in November after Storm Bert swept floodwater through the Gloucestershire town. In December, a car hit the bridge, causing further was partly reopened in January but fully reopened on Friday after weeks of repair work, with the community planning a celebratory fun day on Harris, from Gloucestershire County Council, thanked residents for their patience. Grace Williams from Knockley Pet Foods, which overlooks the bridge, said Saturday morning's festivities were being held to thank those who supported the business."Our customers are amazing and they did continue to support us, we know it was really difficult to get to us," she said."A lot of the other businesses weren't so lucky... town itself has been really quiet."We're definitely relieved that it's open, it's going to be a lot easier." Kirsty Scott, who owns refill shop Forest Friendly on Newerne Street, said the bridge opening was "perfect timing" for the summer holidays and tourist season."Business owners are [relieved], definitely, and I think people who own hot cars in this hot weather are too," she said."It's been eventful and I've seen a lot of traffic sitting outside. It seems quieter today because it's flowing in both directions." Joe Harris said "final work" to the bridge wall would be completed off-road, without causing traffic disruption."I do appreciate the impact of the closure on local residents and businesses and thank you again for your patience while we completed the essential repairs," he said."Thanks also to the team who tackled this challenging job which included diving below the bridge to check for structural damage."
BBC News
27 minutes ago
- BBC News
Banana-toting robber jailed over Bradford post office heist
A masked robber who held up a post office with a banana wrapped in a plastic bag has been jailed for three years and four Asquith, 42, brandished the bendy fruit and shouted at staff to empty the till during the raid in Allerton Road, Bradford, on 6 Crown Court heard Asquith, of Chelwood Drive, Bradford, left with more than £6,000, which is yet to be sentence Judge Jonathan Gibson KC said he had concealed the banana in such a way "to make it look realistic". The court heard the member of staff on duty at the time had been left "too scared to return to the shop" after the incident. The judge said: "They at the time thought they were the victims of an armed robbery and indeed could have been shot."CCTV footage played in court showed Asquith walk into the post office before shouting at the victim "empty the till".Prosecutors had initially suggested Asquith had been carrying an imitation firearm or something designed to resemble after Asquith told the court it was a banana the prosecution said if CCTV footage of the incident did not rule out the possibility, they would accept the defendant's Arshad, mitigating, said Asquith's behaviour could be explained by his diagnosis of emphysema, a lung condition, which he said had prevented him working as a painter and added that Asquith had been abusing alcohol and Class A drugs before the robbery. Asquith pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing an imitation firearm at a previous hearing. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Netherlands midfielder Danielle van de Donk joins London City Lionesses from Lyon
London City Lionesses have completed the signing of midfielder Danielle van de Donk from Lyon. The former Arsenal player, 33, joins the newly-promoted side ahead of their first season in the Women's Super League (WSL) after four years at Lyon. Advertisement The Netherlands international has signed a two-year contract that runs until 2027. Van de Donk said: 'It's just such a nice environment to be in, the club really appeals to me, it reminds me of a little family, and I want to be a part of it! 'The project that London City have, it's different but in a good way. London City have to battle for everything, and that's my style.' The transfer sees Van de Donk move between two Michele Kang-owned clubs, after the U.S. businesswoman completed the purchase of London City in February 2024. After beginning her career in the Netherlands, Van de Donk joined Arsenal in 2015 and had six successful years in north London, winning three trophies including the WSL title in 2018. Advertisement Shen joined Lyon in 2021, where she won three league titles and the Champions League in 2022. The midfielder has also made 167 appearances for the Netherlands, winning the European Championship in 2017. When asked about returning to play in the WSL, she said: 'I was there for six years, and it was very good. I loved it and saw no hesitation in coming back. It's a good league; the stadiums are full, and hopefully we can get more and more fans here too. I'm so excited to meet all of the fans, and I promise that I'll give 100% if you do the same for us.' London City Lionesses won promotion to the WSL for the first time last season by topping the Championship. 'A Marquee Signing' This is a marquee signing for London City Lionesses and shows they are prepared to spend big to attract names. Advertisement The aim seemingly is to build their brand and boost attendances in their maiden WSL season. It comes as a surprise that Van de Donk, a statement name in women's football with a Champions League winner's medal to her name and four league titles with Arsenal (one) and Lyon (three), has made the switch. But Kang's vision has evidently appealed to the 33-year-old versatile midfielder who will bring plenty of experience to the newly promoted team. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. UK Women's Football 2025 The Athletic Media Company
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: This Blue Jays' youngster is making noise in a prominent lineup spot
This week's Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire column is a mixture of players who could provide long-term contributions and those who may be helpful for next week only. Managers who are looking for a short-term boost this weekend can check out this article. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups Addison Barger, Blue Jays, 41% Barger is the most under-rostered player in this article. The youngster checks all the boxes to get onto the roster in every 12-team league and most 10-team formats. He is playing great, having posted a .928 OPS in June that follows up an .887 OPS in May. The left-handed hitter is also playing well enough against same-sided hurlers (.723 OPS) to get into the lineup for virtually every game. Barger has also recently found a prominent new home in the batting order, hitting second, in between Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The icing on top is multi-position eligibility (3B/OF), which makes Barger easy to fit into a lineup. Evan Carter, Rangers, 34% There is one number that makes me a big proponent of adding Carter right now – 15.0%. That's the strikeout rate for the outfielder this year, which is a vastly superior mark to his strikeout rate in 2024 (26.5%) and 2023 (32.0%). Sure, this year's rate was achieved across a small sample of 80 plate appearances, but fantasy managers need to take calculated risks when adding young players; otherwise, they will always be a day late and a dollar short. Still just 22 years old, Carter has the power-speed blend that fantasy managers covet, and he should be a big part of a Rangers lineup that has been looking for a spark all season. Pavin Smith, Diamondbacks, 7% Smith has some of the largest splits in baseball, thriving against right-handers (.881 OPS) and having virtually no success vs. southpaws (.511 OPS). The Diamondbacks, who sit 4th in baseball in runs scored, are in great position for a high-scoring run. Over the next nine games, the D-backs face three teams who rank among the bottom-10 in ERA. The final seven games are scheduled to take place against right-handed starters, which makes Smith and left-swinging outfielder Alek Thomas (1%) great short-term additions in deeper formats. Mike Yastrzemski, Giants, 7% Yastrzemski has maintained massive platoon splits throughout his career. True to form this year, the lefty slugger with a lifetime .811 OPS against right-handers has posted an .828 OPS in those matchups this season. The Giants will face a pair of bottom-10 pitching staffs next week, and all six games are scheduled to be started by a righty. Danny Palencia, Cubs, 43% I'm perplexed by the lack of interest in Palencia, who is clearly the Cubs closer. The right-hander has earned seven of the team's past eight saves, with the lone exception being a June 12 game in which he worked the eighth inning against the heart of the Pirates lineup. The Cubs rank 2nd in baseball in winning percentage, and Palencia has pitched well this year (1.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP). He's easily a top-15 saves option. Chad Patrick, Brewers, 28% Patrick is the best streamer in baseball by a country mile next week. Not only has he pitched well this year (3.50 ERA, 76:26 K:BB ratio), but he is scheduled to make home starts next week against the Pirates (29th in runs scored on the road) and Rockies (27th in runs scored on the road). He will be a one-week asset in the shallowest leagues, and then he can return to waivers in 10-team formats. Max Scherzer, Blue Jays, 36% This is the time to stash Scherzer in deeper formats, as he should return from the injured list next week. The 41-year-old fared well in nine starts last year (3.95 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) and in 27 starts the previous year (3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP). Toronto is sitting in a AL wild-card spot and has a solid relief corps, which means that Scherzer should have the support he needs to pick up some wins this summer. Lucas Giolito, Red Sox, 21% I'm not sure if Giolito is all the way back, but this may be the last window to add him in many leagues. The 30-year-old has had a pair of clunkers in nine starts since returning from the IL, but he has also allowed one run or fewer in four of his past five outings. And his last start was his best one, as he struck out 10 Mariners across six shutout innings. His next start is lined up to take place at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park on Sunday. Advertisement Hunter Dobbins, Red Sox, 8% Two Boston pitchers in this article? Maybe this team can continue to win without Rafael Devers! Dobbins has the potential to be a big part of the club's success, as he has logged solid ratios (3.74 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) while working primarily as a starter. The righty has made two starts since rejoining the rotation, allowing three runs across 11 innings despite having both outings against the high-scoring Yankees. He could succeed at Oracle Park on Friday before racking up plenty of whiffs when he faces the AL leaders in team strikeouts (Angels) next Wednesday.
