Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Metal plate removed from ex-India skipper's skull 60 years on

Metal plate removed from ex-India skipper's skull 60 years on

Doctors have removed a metal plate from the skull of India's former cricket captain Nari Contractor -- 60 years after it was put in following a near-fatal bouncer by West Indies' Charlie Griffith.

The nasty blow to the back of his head when facing the Barbados fast bowler in a 1962 tour game put a premature end to Contractor's international career after 31 Tests and left him seriously hurt.


Contractor underwent numerous operations including having the titanium plate installed that same year.

His son Hoshedar Contractor told AFP that the former skipper, now 88, was recovering well after the implant was taken out in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday.

"As a family, our concern was about how he would be able to handle post-op at this age. But he's doing absolutely fine and is mobile," he said.

"The doctors Dr Harshad Parekh and Dr. Anil Tibrewala did a great job."

Contractor was losing skin in the area of his head where the plate was so they decided to remove it, his son said.

Aside from his nasty injury, Contractor is also famous for scoring 81 runs against England at Lord's in 1959 despite a Brian Statham blow that broke two of his ribs.

The left-handed opener said in a 2009 interview that when he was hit in Barbados he had been distracted when "somebody opened a window in the pavilion".

Frank Worrell, the West Indies captain at the time, several of his team-mates and Indian players donated blood as doctors battled to save Contractor's life.

Batsmen did not wear helmets at the time.

"There were no sight screens at that time and my 100 percent concentration wasn't on that delivery. I saw it just inches away before it hit me," Contractor told the DNA newspaper.

"But it isn't true that I ducked."

More For You

5 best wireless headphones in 2025:Top picks for every budget in the UK

Discover the top wireless headphones of 2025 for every lifestyle and budget

iStock

5 best wireless headphones in 2025:Top picks for every budget in the UK

Wireless headphones are no longer just a luxury; they’re a lifestyle essential. Whether you’re blasting your favourite playlist on your morning commute across London, tuning out distractions while working from home, or hitting the gym, the right pair can make all the difference. But with countless options flooding the market, how do you choose? Don’t worry—we’ve done the hard work for you. From premium noise-cancelling powerhouses to wallet-friendly gems, here are the five best wireless headphones to elevate your audio game in 2025. Here’s our list:

1. Bowers & Wilkins Px8 (2025 Edition): A standout choice for UK audiophiles, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 combines British craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. Known for their luxurious design and exceptional sound quality, these over-ear headphones feature enhanced noise cancellation and up to 35 hours of battery life. Whether you’re navigating the Tube or enjoying a quiet evening at home, the Px8 delivers a rich, immersive listening experience.

Keep ReadingShow less
india-england-odi-BCCI

India handed ODI debuts to opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and fast bowler Harshit Rana. (Photo credit: BCCI)

England bat first in ODI opener as Kohli sits out

ENGLAND captain Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to bat against India in the first of three one-day internationals in Nagpur on Thursday.

India were without Virat Kohli, who missed out due to a sore right knee.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bank-of-England-Getty
A general view of the Bank of England on December 19, 2024 in London. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Bank of England set to reduce interest rate amid weak growth

THE BANK OF ENGLAND is expected to cut its key interest rate on Thursday as it seeks to support weak economic growth, even though inflation remains above target.

Analysts predict the central bank will reduce borrowing costs by a quarter point to 4.50 per cent at its first rate meeting of the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Black Sabbath announces final show

Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath performs at Ozzfest 2016 at San Manuel Amphitheater

Getty Images

Black Sabbath announces final show in Birmingham with metal legends

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath are set to reunite for their final concert at Birmingham's Villa Park on July 5, marking the end of a legendary era in heavy metal history. The event, titled Back to the Beginning, will feature the band’s original lineup—Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—reuniting for the first time in 20 years.

The reunion concert is not just a farewell to the band’s iconic legacy but also a fundraiser for important causes. Proceeds from the show will benefit Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice. A star-studded lineup will join Black Sabbath for this once-in-a-lifetime performance, including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, Halestorm, and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less
OYO to boost UK presence with £50m investment

OYO operates more than 200 budget hotels across 65 UK cities

OYO to boost UK presence with £50m investment

OYO, a hospitality technology company, aims to invest £50 million in the UK over three years to expand its premium hotel portfolio, supporting 1,000 jobs in the hospitality sector.

The company is upgrading its UK portfolio by acquiring premium inventory and securing longterm leasehold and management contracts. OYO is in advanced talks with large hotel chains and real estate firms for asset management deals, the company said in a statement released to Indian media.

Keep ReadingShow less