Tendulkar immortalised, KP hopeful and Robinson ready for a challenge

Sachin Tendulkar is expected to be immortalised in marble in a shrine built by Indian actor Manoj Tiwary (not to be confused with the IPL cricketer) in the Bihar state of Northern India. After his recent retirement, with a victory in his 200^th test match over the West Indies, Tendulkar received the highest civilian honour there is in India: the Bharat Ratna. The sporting royalty will not be alone in the 6000sq ft temple, with statues of MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh confirmed to be joining his in the temple.

Kevin Pietersen has expressed a hope of playing for England in both the 2015 World Cup in Australasia and against South Africa in the 2015-16 tour. Many didn't think KP would last as long as he has. Reaching his 100^th cap tomorrow has been a very bumpy journey for him. Stripped of his brief captaincy in 2009 and dropped from the squad for texting with the South African players during a test series between the two nations are two definite low points tainting his otherwise rather impressive professional career he has carved for himself.

Sussex manager Mark Robinson has been named Head Coach for the England Lions tour in Sri Lanka next year. Robinson has previously coached the England U19s and hopes this opportunity will be a great challenge "out of [his] comfort zone".

That's Ball on Willow.