Rest of World set to be without Tendulkar

EFFORTS to tempt one of the world's top batsmen to play in Guernsey today appear to have fallen through. Organisers of the Cobo CC 50th anniversary celebrations were hoping to secure the services of Sachin Tendulkar, the greatest ever Indian cricketer, to skipper the Rest of the World side playing Cobo at KGV this afternoon.

It would have been one of the biggest coups for Guernsey cricket but the 34-year-old, who became the first batsman to score 50 hundreds in international cricket after having made his debut aged 16, looks set to stay away.

Sources claimed yesterday that after the player's potentially last tour of England ended last week, he had returned to Mumbai.

He was even pictured on the internet with a fan at Heathrow Airport - reputedly about to fly home.

Moves were made to try and persuade Tendulkar to come to the island to captain the side after New Zealand's hard-hitting captain Stephen Fleming regrettably pulled out.

'I have heard nothing,' said Dave Nussbaumer, speaking mid-afternoon yesterday, after having learned earlier in the day from the Guernsey Press the reports that the Indian legend was back home.

'We were told he was in the UK twiddling his thumbs. It's very disappointing but we always knew it was a 50:50 chance. It would have been fantastic.

'At this 11th hour we are still trying to find a replacement,' added the Cobo president.

Earlier in the day he confirmed nothing had been heard from Tendulkar's representatives and as time went on, his visit was looking less likely, even though flights had been booked for him.

'His agents have told me he's in the UK...as of Sunday we were negotiating for him to come. At this stage I have not been told he is not coming.'

Nussbaumer stressed that the Rest of the World XI would still be a good side to face his beloved Cobo, who at the weekend followed up retaining their Evening League Division One crown by lifting the GCA Cup.

On Monday, Nottinghamshire off-spinner Graeme Swann was announced as a surprise inclusion in England's squad for October's one-day international tour of Sri Lanka.

'He is definitely coming. We had got Ryan Sidebottom but because of concerns about his fitness, he can't travel and it's the same with Mark Ealham,' said Nussbaumer.

Other players due to feature in the Twenty20 game, which starts at 4pm, are Kiwi international Andre Adams, English caps Jason Gallian, Chris Read, Paul Franks and Andrew Caddick, Will Jefferson, Andrew Harris and Mike Newell.

Admission is free.