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Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Times
Ben Stokes knew how to expose Sai Sudharsan — but Jamie Smith let him off
For a long time the coaching from which I now derive so much pleasure disappeared from my life, but then, about nine years ago, a sudden change in employment status precipitated a return to it, initially at my old school, Monmouth, and I did so tentatively, very aware that power-hitting was raging and that in many quarters old-school technique had become old hat. Within minutes of the first net session something stood out like a sore thumb: every single batsman was standing with their bat raised, as the likes of Tony Greig and Graham Gooch had once done as exceptions to the rule. Now everyone was doing it. It was a quite remarkable change, and the schoolboys were merely copying the professionals. Some batters will now tap their bat and then raise it long before the bowler reaches his bound, but those who keep it grounded until ball release are few and far between, with India's Cheteshwar Pujara being a rarity in doing so. It is a conversation I have often had with the former national selector Ed Smith, who does some coaching of youngsters, and he always urges them 'to tap the bat!' So what a joy to see the tall Indian left-hander Sai Sudharsan batting at Old Trafford, tapping his bat on the crease as players used to and creating a lovely, languid flow to his strokes. Watching him was to be transported back in time (Rishabh Pant does not stand with bat aloft but he is hardly old-fashioned). It was a method that, on Sky Sports, was remarked upon by my colleague Mike Atherton, and it was interesting that when he asked Dinesh Karthik, a coach as well as a commentator, how the bat-raised or bat-tapping techniques relate to T20, the response was that actually Sudharsan's was the better. That will have surprised many because it flies against all the baseball and power-hitting thinking, but the reason Karthik replied as he did is that, when a player taps the bat on the ground, they simply have to take their hands back a long way to play any kind of attacking shot, thus being able to generate significant momentum in the backswing and therefore considerable force through the ball. Just think of Viv Richards. Those who begin with hands high sometimes do not move them a great deal thereafter and therefore eschew any rhythm and then lose power. There is, though, a downside to standing as the 23-year-old Sudharsan does, and that is that the propensity for his head to topple to the off side. That brought about his downfall in both innings of his Test debut in the first Test at Headingley, in the second innings chipping to mid-wicket with a heavy head, and in the first innings caught down the leg side for a duck. Sudharsan missed the past two Tests, having been replaced at No3 by Karun Nair, but on his return for a second Test appearance that was how he should have been out here, as, when he had made 20, he was dropped by the wicketkeeper Jamie Smith off the captain Ben Stokes. Please enable cookies and other technologies to view this content. You can update your cookies preferences any time using privacy manager. It looked like a deliberate plan by England as they bowled from round the wicket and this ball was full and well down the leg side, as Sudharsan attempted to flick it with his hands well away from his body, simply because, with his head off kilter, he had to guess as to the exact line of the ball. It was a bad drop by Smith, not least because the one he had taken from the same batsman at Headingley was a much harder chance, and it will doubtless have caused the Ben Foakes fanclub to find its querulous voice, but it was an isolated error and Stokes made a point at the end of the over of giving his stumper a tap on the back that was both encouraging and commiseratory. Stokes fancied dismissing Sudharsan with the short ball anyway, applauding the batsman when he pulled a boundary and very nearly inducing a glove to leg slip the next ball. And the reinstated left-arm spinner Liam Dawson also fancied him from over the wicket into the rough, just as he had earlier snared Yashasvi Jaiswal, caught at slip. But a wristy drive for four through cover indicated Sudharsan's dexterity against the twirlers, confirmed by a similar stroke off Joe Root to pass his maiden Test fifty, just as much as a pulled four off Jofra Archer, with front leg high up in the air. A back-foot punch off Stokes demonstrated his class against pace. The longer Sudharsan batted, the more balanced he appeared, until a Stokes short ball did eventually do for him, and the more he made a case for a return to some old ways, which may just not be as outdated as some presume.
The Irish Sun
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
It's official: This is the UK's best ice cream shop – we visited to see if it's worth the hype
COMING from Devon and growing up on a seaside diet, I like to think I'm somewhat of an ice cream connoisseur . And last year, after I discovered Anya Hindmarch's quirky ice cream pop up in London - and it has beaten even my favourite beach spots from my childhood. 5 A London ice cream parlour has just been named the best by The Times Credit: Cyann Fielding 5 Located on Pavilion Road in Chelsea, London, I headed there to see if it is worth the hype Credit: Alamy Ice Cream Union in It is known for creating some of the best ice creams in the country and supplying them to top chefs and restaurants all over the UK. But nothing quite beats going into an ice cream parlour to test them straight from the tub. Located on Pavilion Road, just off of Sloane Square, the parlour boasts a wide variety of flavours that change each day (and sometimes more than once during the day) - so don't go with your heart set on a flavour to try! Read more on travel inspo As the menu rotates, you could keep going back and be greeted with a whole array of new flavours to explore. I tried three different flavours on my visit and first up was one of Ice Cream Union's seasonal offerings - yoghurt and berries. Speaking with staff at the parlour, they said this was quickly becoming a customer favorite - so of course I had to try it. Whilst I personally find yoghurt and berries a bit boring, it was interesting to try as an ice cream. Most read in News Travel Certainly the most refreshing of the three, unlike cream, the yoghurt gave a more sour bite which helped to make it less decadent than your usual clotted cream-style flavours. The ice cream has actual berries in it too, which honestly made it feel as if it has just been made. Dubai Ice Cream Whilst not my favourite, I was pleasantly surprised. 7/10. Next up was Monmouth For coffee fans (and especially Londoners) Monmouth Coffee is one of the most popular coffee places in the city. Each time I walk past their shop in This ice cream had the exact taste of Monmouth Coffee - which pleasantly surprised me. It is stronger and a bit more bitter than the usual coffee taste you get with other coffee ice creams, cakes or even frappes - so deffo a good choice for those wanting a cool caffeine hit. A solid 8/10. The final flavour I tried was Cornflakes. 5 I tested three flavours: yoghurt and berries, Monmouth coffee and cornflakes Credit: Instagram / @icecreamunion Growing up, cornflakes were always the cereal that stayed in the back of the cupboard and that you would reach for when all other breakfast options had run dry. To me, it was a boring thing for breakfast and I often enjoy the slightly sweet This was this ice cream - a scoop of This was by far my favourite of the three and I could easily see why this flavour is loved by so many - it is a real comfort flavour. Easily a 10/10 for me and most likely my favourite ice cream to date. Admittedly it isn't cheap - costing £5.50 per small cup or cone, or £7 per cone or cup. I opted for the small cups, which was plenty of ice cream in my opinion, and I did think each were worth it, as you can tell quality ingredients have been used. The menu has a whole array of other flavours too, including chestnut (another seasonal flavour), blood orange sorbet, chocolate and 5 The ice cream isn't cheap though at £5.50 for a small cone or cup Credit: Cyann Fielding Sadly when I visited, some quirky flavours I really wanted a taste of weren't on the menu for that day, such as Pimm's and Aperol Spritz. But I will certainly be back to try. Ice Cream Union also has a factory in If heading to the Chelsea ice cream parlour, make sure to also explore Pavilion Road. Hidden behind Sloane Square and just steps away from the bustling King's Road, Pavilion Road is very pretty and full of cute independent shops. In particular, make sure to head to the London Cheesemongers and Papersmiths stationery shop. New viral Dubai chocolate ice cream served at a top London attraction THE Sun's Sophie Swietochowski tried out the new viral Dubai chocolate ice cream served at a top London attraction - here's what she thought. So many foods have hopped on the viral Dubai chocolate trend in the past few months - and I tried out the most recent one. This time at London's Borough Market, served in ice cream form. After clocking the gelato treat on social media - several chocolate-y scoops dripping in lashings of pistachio sauce and served in a pistachio-rimmed cone - I couldn't resist giving it a try. The treat hails from a small cafe, Gelateria 3Bis, at the edge of the market, which also sells flakey pastries and baked goods. Behind the counter were neat slices of apple and almond tart, slathered in a shiny glaze (£3.50); wedges of a crumbly looking walnut tart (also £3.50); and stacks of cannolis with thick ricotta filling oozing out of each case (£2). I practically drooled as the lady leaned into the metal tub to scoop the chocolate-y mixture into my cone, waiting for the pistachio magic to happen. But then, nothing. That was it - and a rather naked-looking gelato was handed over to me. Where was my pistachio sauce? Where were the sprinkles I'd seen decadently splashed over the top? And, more importantly, where was the pistachio and filo filling that makes Dubai chocolate what it is? After shelling out a staggering £6.50, I walked away realising that this was a classic case of Insta vs reality trickery. A Sun reporter also tried the UK's wackiest ice cream flavours from pickled onion to Bisto. Plus, the 5 The ice cream is well worth it though, in my opinion Credit: Cyann Fielding
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan State baseball lands commitment from Monmouth RHP transfer
Michigan State baseball has aided the health of their bullpen, adding a new piece via the transfer portal to sure up that part of the roster. JD Greeley announced that he has committed to Michigan State, planning to spend his last season of college baseball in East Lansing. A native of Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, Greeley is a 6-foot-1 right handed pitcher. He spent the first three years of his college career at Monmouth. This past season, as a junior, was his most successful season at the college level, pitching in 14 games and striking out 29 batters. He will add to the Spartans bullpen with a fastball that can touch the mid-90s. Greeley will provide the Spartans bullpen with a veteran presence and a new look for a unit that struggled in 2024. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Met Office maps show exact Welsh locations set for major weather swing
Met Office maps show Wales is set for a significant uptick in temperatures in the coming days - with a heatwave possible by the weekend. Temperatures have been in the low to mid twenties in recent days, with cloudy conditions and some heavy rain in parts of the country. But temperatures are set to rise significantly in the coming days, with the mercury potentially hitting 29C by Friday. For Wales to have a heatwave, it has to be 25C for three days in a row. And according to weather maps from the Met Office, there's several parts of Wales which will hit those temperatures on consecutive days. On Thursday, weather maps at 4pm show temperatures of 28C in Monmouth, 26C in Newtown, Cardiff and Builth Wells, 25C in Wrexham and Llandovery, and 24C in Swansea and Bala. On Friday, it will be 29C in Monmouth, 27C in Cardiff, Llandeilo, Builth Wells, Wrexham and Newtown, 26C in Swansea, Carmarthen, Cardigan, and 25C in Pembroke, Bala, Barmouth, Caernarfon and St David's. On Saturday, it will be 27C in Wrexham, 26C in Newtown, Aberystwyth, Builth Wells, Swansea, Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff, Carmarthen and Llandovery, and 25C in St Asaph, Caernarfon, Bala and Barmouth and Cardigan. On Sunday, it is 27C in Monmouth, 25C in Wrexham, Llandovery, Cardiff and Builth Wells. It will fall just short with 24C in Newtown, Aberystwyth, Swansea and Aberystwyth. Here's what the Met Office says about the weather between July 7 and July 19. Monday: "Apart from an early isolated light shower in the east, the new working week will start fine. "Though a little breezy, it should feel pleasant in the sunshine that appears. Maximum temperature 20C." Tuesday to Thursday: "A ridge of high pressure will gradually build in from the southwest during the Tuesday to Thursday period. Mainly dry with some clear or sunny spells, and warming up too." A long range forecast from Thursday, July 10 to Saturday, July 19: "A broad northwest/southeast split in the weather looks most likely through much of this period. Towards the northwest, Atlantic frontal systems will bring occasional rain and cloudier skies at times, along with breezier conditions, though there should be some drier, brighter interludes too. "Further south and east, high pressure will likely dominate with a fair amount of dry and sunny weather to be had. With this, there is a signal for increasing heat and humidity and the potential for another period of hot weather to develop by the second weekend of July, probably lasting into the start of the following week. "Given the anticipated high temperatures, the chance of thunderstorms also increases, though widespread rainfall across southern areas looks unlikely." Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ambulance station that has been closed for years set for refurbishment
PLANS for a new ambulance station in a Gwent town have been shelved in favour of refurbishing an existing building. However the Welsh Ambulance Service has said a refurbished station in Monmouth could be completed by end of the March 2026. Crews have operated from a temporary building since the closure of the town's ambulance station some 13 years ago when it was 'sadly, condemned as not fit for purpose,' according to Councillor Martin Newell. The Conservative member for the Town ward said paramedics and crews now operate from what he called 'a Portakabin' and said 'winter is coming and it is draughty and it leaks.' He asked if Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet member Ian Chandler, whose role also includes health, could provide an update on any discussions over a new ambulance station with the service. Cllr Chandler said the service had signed off on plans to rebuild the station in November last year, and the county council's planning department had offered pre-application advice, but it has since decided on a refurbishment instead. The Green Party councillor said: 'The Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust has now assessed the options and decided to press head with a refurbishment of the existing building they tell me they are scoping out what they can do with the internal structure and a final design to be to be signed off and go out for tender.' Cllr Chandler said the service has said its project board is 'very supportive of the refurbishment option and it hopefully means work can begin in early autumn and be completed by the end of the financial year but that could be subject to change due to a range of factors.' Cllr Chandler promised to keep councillors updated and added: 'In my view it's very positive news we will have a refurbished and fully functioning ambulance station within the next nine months.' Mitchell Troy and Trellech councillor Richard John, the leader of the Conservative group, said the ambulance service had initially considered a joint emergency services base with the fire service, which has a station next door to the ambulance station on Rockfield Road, and police but that plan was abandoned on cost grounds. Cllr John, writing on social media, said while it was 'disappointing' the revised plans for a standalone ambulance station had also been dropped he welcomed the 'scaled back proposals' as 'infinitely better than current conditions' as he said in the temporary building crews have been left without running water during the winter.
