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Time of India
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
When Dhoni made 50th birthday of a Central England truck driver special
Andrew Sykes, a truck driver from the industrial town of Stoke on Trent in Central England, has always loved his cricket. And cricket loved him back in the most beautiful manner that he could have ever envisaged. Back in 2014 during India's tour of England, erstwhile Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni presented him with a Indian ODI team jersey after finding out it was his 50th birthday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo And it was at this very Edgbaston ground where he was volunteering during an ODI game when Dhoni made his 'Red Letter Day' even more special. He carried his prized possession presented by the great 'MSD' to the Edgbaston on Saturday. Live Events Sykes has also been volunteering at cricket games, primarily in Midlands region, since 2009, is now 62 but the memories of his milestone birthday in 2014 has not faded even as he has grown older by more than a decade. It was during an ODI at this venue that Dhoni had handed him the jersey of his then teammate Bhuvneshkumar Kumar as a special gesture for his service to the game as a volunteer. Sykes, who has been contributing to cricket operations as a volunteer at this ground for more than a decade, narrated his Dhoni moment to PTI. "It was a special gesture from Dhoni to call me outside the dressing room and hand him the Indian jersey but it has an interesting backstory," said Sykes, who now spends more time at cricket ground than driving trucks around the country. "The previous ODI was in Nottingham and because of the rain, there was a puddle of water holding up play at Trent Bridge. Due to the weather, the players did not have much to do and we were tasked with the arrangement of food for the players. "A BCCI official was with me and he got to know that my 50th birthday was approaching and the next game was here at Edgbaston. Little did I know that I would be called to dressing room and presented with the jersey in the following game at this very ground," said Sykes, who also feels proud about carrying the 2019 World Cup trophy into the field ahead of the New Zealand-Pakistan contest in the ICC event. As he scrolls through his phone, you would find pictures of him with current and former players including former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who was in charge of the team in 2014 (Team Director), 2018 and 2021 (head coach). Shastri, commentating on the ongoing India England Test series, is among the favourites of Sykes alongside Geoffrey Boycott and Malcolm Marshall. "I have watched plenty of country games involving Marshall at Hampshire. Boycott was someone I looked up to growing up. Cricket is the only sport that I follow," he said. Shastri was in the media box when Sykes narrated his cricketing journey. "I get to be around the people I have admired. I can't really complain," Sykes summed up.
New Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Speedy Tigers' Nations Cup destiny no longer in their hands
KUALA LUMPUR: Poor goalkeeping, poor defending, poor discipline, inconsistency, and not playing intelligent hockey are among the reasons for Malaysia's poor results in their first two matches in the Nations Cup at Bukit Jalil Malaysia have only one point from two Group B matches — from a 3-3 draw against Pakistan, and letting slip a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 against defending champions New Zealand. Conceding four goals in eight minutes against New Zealand is a bitter pill to swallow for fans. It is hard to accept as the Malaysian team had played 12 matches prior to the Nations Cup, while most of the other teams competing in the tournament did not even play a test match before coming to Malaysia. To make matters worse, Malaysia's world ranking dropped by one rung to 14. Fans are naturally disappointed with the performance of Sarjit Singh's men as they keep making the same mistakes and they never learned. The Speedy Tigers have a habit of conceding goals. Against Pakistan on Sunday, Malaysia trailed 2-0 but levelled at 2-2 and again trailed 3-2 before scoring the equaliser. In the second match against New Zealand yesterday, it was the other way around as Malaysia shocked the defending champions by taking a 3-0 lead before bewilderingly letting in four goals. Malaysia need a win over winless Japan tomorrow to keep alive their slim semi-final hopes. Sarjit said he was disappointed and frustrated with his players' performance against New Zealand. "We gave New Zealand an easy victory because of our card management. "I hope the players will learn from the mistakes they made in the match. "We have put ourselves in a difficult situation and have to wait for the outcome of the New Zealand-Pakistan match before we meet Japan," said Sarjit. If New Zealand and Pakistan draw tomorrow, Malaysia can forget the semi-finals. But Japan coach Anai Yoshihiro said that he is under pressure after two defeats, to New Zealand (2-1) and Pakistan (3-2). "We will go all out to beat Malaysia to get back the players' confidence and to redeem our pride. "It is going to be tough playing Malaysia as our matches against them have been very close," said Anai. Last year, Malaysia played Japan twice, in the Asian Champions Trophy in Inner Mongolia, China. Malaysia won 5-4 in a round robin match, but in the playoff for fifth placing, Malaysia lost 4-2 in a penalty shootout after both teams drew 4-4 in regulation time.
