Latest news with #FirstClass
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Nasser Hussain pessimistic about Jofra Archer's return vs India: ‘I don't know if it's a gamble worth taking'
Right on the heels of their historic opening Test victory over India at Headingley, the England Test team has received yet another big boost. They welcome back one of the best bowlers in the world to their Test squad, with Jofra Archer included in the squad for the second Test match at Edgbaston. Jofra Archer last played a Test match for England in 2021.(REUTERS) Archer marks his return after 4 years away from Test cricket, having last played in 2021 after an explosive breakthrough that lasted only a couple of years. While there is big cause for optimism in Archer's return, he does come back from a string of different injuries with only one first class game under his belt, having played for Sussex against Durham last week. According to former England captain Nasser Hussain, Archer's return is something England will need to be very careful with, and suggested that the express fast bowler should not be rushed back to the team in Birmingham, and rather made to wait until the third Test match at Lord's. 'Firstly you have to say it's good news for Archer and England in that Jof must have been through so much with those [elbow and back injuries], the rehab, the pain, the mental torment of continually getting injured and making comebacks, so it's great to see him back in the squad, he hasn't played a Test match for four years,' said Hussain on Sky Cricket. 'Fundamentally if you're an England fan you should be pleased to see Jofra Archer back in a red ball squad.' Hussain not certain about tactical perspective: 'Who do you leave out?' However, Hussain raised a couple of questions: whether Archer was ready for red-ball cricket after a solitary First Class match this summer, in which he took a sole wicket, as well as who England were prepared to leave out from their pace attack. 'I think it's too much of a risk this week but it may have gone so well — I don't know Jofra Archer's body — it may have gone so well that they say 'we'll play you this week'. Then the problem is who do you leave out?' wondered Hussain. On the chopping block may be Chris Woakes, but a pace trio of Archer, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue might prove to be a touch one-note. However, Hussain did believe this is the right time to reintroduce Archer, with his assets in as closely-fought a series as this as shaping up to be potentially game-changing. With the Ashes in Australia on the horizon as well, Hussain sees this as a worthwhile punt. 'I do think it is a gamble worth taking, I just don't know if it's worth taking this week. I would do it a week after at Lord's. He's only just made his first-class comeback for Sussex for four years this week where he bowled 18 overs. When Archer's fully fit he is one of the best in the world. He is absolutely box office, he has that raw pace. But unfortunately for him he hasn't been fully fit for a very long time. So it is a gamble,' explained the pundit. Ultimately, Hussain's argument was that just a little extra preparation might be a good compromise, just to stay on the safe side for a bowler who has had a torrid time with recurring injuries. 'What is the hurry when we've waited so long? Why not wait another week just to make sure?' concluded Hussain. The second Test of the newly-minted Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy begins on July 2.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Book launch celebrating V.V. Kumar's 90th birthday with anecdotes, tributes, and memories from former cricketers and personalities.
It was an evening of celebration, filled with fascinating anecdotes and a trip down memory lane during the launch of a book on former India leg-spinner V.V. Kumar to commemorate his 90th birthday. The book titled Celebrating V.V. Kumar @ 90 features articles by former cricketers and other eminent personalities, including G.R. Viswanath and S. Venkataraghavan. It was released by C.D. Gopinath, the only surviving member of India's first Test win in 1952 against England, with Kumar receiving the first copy. 'He and I played together for several years. He was a good team man. He was not only very popular but cheerful and made a lot of people laugh,' said Gopinath. 'His bowling was phenomenal. He had so much control over his bowling that he could do anything he wanted. The way he was dropped was unfair. He would have been highly successful and won a lot of matches for India,' he added. Kumar scalped a five-for on debut against Pakistan in New Delhi (1961) but played just one more Test, versus England in Mumbai. N. Ram, Director, The Hindu Group, who has written a chapter in the book, highlighted Kumar's immense contribution to domestic cricket despite being overlooked by the selectors. In 129 First Class matches, Kumar scalped 599 wickets and was the first to go past the 400-wicket mark in the Ranji Trophy. Speaking on the occasion, Kumar expressed his gratitude for the friendships he had forged during his cricketing days. 'I am grateful for this emotional meeting. I owe a lot to Gopinath, who was my captain and mentor. I have great respect and affection for my captain, who gave me the confidence in my first game against Bombay (Mumbai),' said Kumar. 'The next best thing that happened to me was always the company that I had during my cricketing days, whether it was juniors or State matches. The team moved as one, and the days were enjoyed.' The idea for the book originated from a conversation among former Tamil Nadu cricketers V. Krishnaswamy, P. Mukund, A.G. Satvinder Singh, and P.R. Ramakrishnan, and was compiled by Partab Ramchand.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
British Airways scraps free bottles of water for economy passengers in new eco trial
BRITISH AIRWAYS has conducted a trial of its in-flight drinks service - and it's bad news if you like your free bottles of water. The trial that took place last week affected certain passengers travelling from London Heathrow to Miami, Boston and Los Angeles who were not provided with plastic water bottles during their flight. 4 Thirsty passengers wanting to hydrate were provided with water in paper cups instead. The change was for those on long-haul flights heading to the three US cities who were sitting in economy and premium economy. It did not affect flyers in BA's Club World or First Class. British Airways confirmed the one-week trial was reduce single-use plastic onboard, and it took place from June 16 to June 22. A spokesperson for British Airways told The Independent: 'This is a one-week trial on three routes as part of efforts to reduce plastic waste. "The views of our customers are very important to us, and we'll be listening very carefully to their feedback.' On FlyerTalk, passengers took to the forum to express how they felt about the changes. One wrote: "I read about this trial, seems ridiculous I know but BA are looking for ways to save plastic, I can't see it being accepted." Another however added that it was a "good idea" to get rid of plastic bottles with someone else adding they had never used one on a flight. Last year, on late take-offs. British Airways launches new safety video that people are likening to a mini Bridgerton 4 Starters have gone and the choice of main courses and desserts has been reduced. Two of the four mains on a Club World menu after 9pm are cheese and crackers, and soup. One of the puddings on offer is chocolate chip cookies. British Airways sources said passengers receive the same premium food and drink offering on board. It was said that the menu changes on flights leaving after 9pm was aimed at helping passengers who were keen to get to sleep. About the changes to the in-flight service, a spokesperson for British Airways told The Sun: 'We're incredibly proud of our premium dining experience, which includes a wide range of meal options to suit the preferences of our customers depending on the time of day they're travelling. 'We trialled our new brunch offering with thousands of customers across numerous routes and received extremely positive feedback on both the quality and variety of options offered.' British Airways recently made a big change to its Executive Club - but here's how you can still fly like a gold member. And one holidaymaker discovered how to buy a British Airways flight for just £1. Plus, the six times you should never recline your plane seat, according to ex-BA flight attendant.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
British Airways scraps free bottles of water for economy passengers in new eco trial
BRITISH AIRWAYS has conducted a trial of its in-flight drinks service - and it's bad news if you like your free bottles of water. The trial that took place last week affected certain passengers travelling from London Heathrow to Miami, Boston and Los Angeles who were not provided with plastic water bottles during their flight. 4 Passengers in certain cabins were given paper cups rather than plastic bottles Credit: Alamy 4 The trial lasted just one week Credit: Alamy Thirsty passengers wanting to hydrate were provided with water in paper cups instead. The change was for those on long-haul flights heading to the three US cities who were sitting in economy and premium economy. It did not affect flyers in BA's Club World or First Class. British Airways confirmed the one-week trial was reduce single-use plastic onboard, and it took place from June 16 to June 22. Read More on British Airways A spokesperson for told : 'This is a one-week trial on three routes as part of efforts to reduce plastic waste. " The views of our customers are very important to us, and we'll be listening very carefully to their feedback.' On One wrote: "I read about this trial, seems ridiculous I know but BA are looking for ways to save plastic, I can't see it being accepted." Most read in News Travel Another however added that it was a "good idea" to get rid of plastic bottles with someone else adding they had never used one on a flight. Last year, British Airways launches new safety video that people are likening to a mini Bridgerton 4 As part of the trial, plastic water bottles were not handed out Credit: Alamy Starters have gone and the choice of main courses and desserts has been reduced. Two of the four mains on a Club World menu after 9pm are cheese and crackers, and soup. One of the puddings on offer is chocolate chip cookies. British Airways sources said passengers receive the same premium food and drink offering on board. It was said that the menu changes on flights leaving after 9pm was aimed at helping passengers who were keen to get to sleep. About the changes to the in-flight service, a spokesperson for British Airways told The Sun: 'We're incredibly proud of our premium dining experience, which includes a wide range of meal options to suit the preferences of our customers depending on the time of day they're travelling. 'We trialled our new brunch offering with thousands of customers across numerous routes and received extremely positive feedback on both the quality and variety of options offered.' British Airways recently made a big change to its Executive Club - but here's how you can still fly like a gold member. And one Plus, the six times you should never recline your plane seat, 4 British Airways are attempting to reduce plastic waste Credit: Alamy
Khaleej Times
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Wheely Dubai experience: Luxury chauffeuring with Maybachs, S-Class, and more
When you think of a chauffeured ride, you might imagine a polished car, a sharply dressed driver, and a quiet ride to your destination. Wheely takes that base expectation and elevates it into an experience that feels meticulously curated — a seamless blend of technology, etiquette, and sheer indulgence. Having recently tried out several of Wheely's services in Dubai, including Luxe, First, and New Business, I can confidently say that this isn't just a premium ride-hailing app — it's a luxury transport experience that's designed to treat time and comfort as the ultimate commodities. Let's start with the fleet. Each vehicle I've ridden in has been pristine and impeccably maintained. The Luxe class, exclusive to Wheely Members, features the ultra-elegant Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. When asked about his driving experience, the chauffeur casually mentioned that there are currently only three Maybachs in the Dubai fleet, making it feel even more exclusive. The ride is buttery-smooth, the cabin incredibly quiet, and the interior detailing speaks volumes about refinement. Reclining seats, ambient lighting, and a sense of absolute calm made this journey feel more like a luxury lounge on wheels. The First and New Business options also delivered above expectations. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class under the First tier offers thoughtful touches like FIJI Water, Acqua Di Parma car fragrance, privacy blinds, and additional legroom — great for business professionals or anyone who values a serene, distraction-free ride. Meanwhile, New Business, featuring the BMW 5 Series, proves that even their "entry-level" tier is far from ordinary. With bottled Evian, disinfecting wipes, tissues, and dual phone chargers (yes, including USB-C for newer iPhones), it's perfectly suited for modern business travel. One of the biggest highlights was the chauffeur etiquette. Every driver I encountered was not only professional but displayed genuine courtesy and awareness. They opened doors, checked route preferences, adjusted temperature and music when requested, and offered a level of attentiveness that felt natural, never intrusive, always reassuring. In short, they behaved less like drivers and more like concierges behind the wheel. Over the span of a few weeks, I ordered pickups from Muhaisnah 4, Barsha, Palm Jumeirah, and Meydan, and the average wait time ranged between 10 to 20 minutes. Considering the level of service and the exclusivity of certain vehicle types (especially the Luxe class), this felt more than reasonable. Then there's the Wheely app — which is, in itself, a beautifully designed tool. It's fast, clean, and intuitive. One standout feature I particularly liked is the option to request only black vehicles, which subtly adds to the overall premium aesthetic. Be warned, though: filtering by colour or vehicle type can increase the waiting time slightly, but for those seeking a specific kind of experience, it's a small trade-off. Wheely also allows you to book rides for others, a great gesture for gifting or arranging business transfers, and for members, features like Airport Pickups and Chauffeur for a Day add even more polish to the overall offering. To sum it up, Wheely is for the traveller who values aesthetics and service. It's for the executive heading from meeting to meeting or the traveller who wants to feel at ease from the moment they step into the car. In a city like Dubai — where extravagance is standard and service is everything — Wheely manages to stand out by being precise, personal, and impeccably polished. Whether you're looking to impress a client or simply elevate your commute, Wheely might just become your go-to mode of luxury transport.
