Lampard's schoolmate Selby, who beat the top seed at world's masters, prefers Liverpool to Chelsea
Lampard's schoolmate Selby, who beat the top seed at world's masters, prefers Liverpool to Chelsea
Daryl Selby is the toast of the Mumbai crowd after his sensational upset of top seed Gregory Gaultier 12-10 1-11 11-13 11-6 11-6 in the opening round of the $152,000 Punj Lloyd World Masters yesterday.
A little known fact is that the Englishman was in the same school as Chelsea and England footballer Frank Lampard.
"We were at Brentwood school in Essex just outside London. Frank was three years my senior. I did speak to him on a couple of occasions but we weren't friends,'' revealed Selby.
No Chelsea for me"Lampard, alongwith David Beckham and Steven Gerrard get my nod as the best players in the England team. When it comes to clubs, Liverpool are my favourites, Gerrard is all class for them. For Chelsea, it's all about the money,'' says the friendly southpaw.
The Englishman has a bizarre choice when it comes to his favourite cricketer and the most ardent England cricket fans will bay for Selby's blood. It is our very own Punjab da Puttar Yuvraj Singh. "I like Yuvraj because he is a left-hander like me and he is so elegant. He hits the ball brutally.''
Yuvi's six sixes off Chris Broad in the World T20 in South Africa two years ago come to mind immediately. "That was a wonderful display of power hitting though I did feel sorry for Broad,'' says the Essex lad with a wry smile.
Coming back to squash, Selby has not been on the scene for too long as he turned Pro in 2004. However, he has climbed steadily up the ranks and is currently on a career-best 11.
This year has been pretty good for him. "I reached the quarterfinals in both the British Open and Hong Kong Open. The Far East event was especially good for me as I overcame fancied Peter Barker,'' stresses Selby.
"Of course, beating Gaultier today was the crowning moment of my career. He is a top-notch player.''
Meanwhile, Ritwik Bhattacharya disappointed a large gathering by going down tamely 0-3 to England's Alistair Walker. Bhattacharya has been tirelessly involved in getting the PSA roadshow to Mumbai.
"Yes it has taken its toll as I have not been able to practice. My ranking too has suffered and has dropped to 148. I will take a week off now to recharge my batteries and prepare in right earnest for the Delhi Nationals later this month.''
