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On the first day of the series Rangana Herath and Suranga Lakmal put Sri Lanka on top, but by stumps the Australians had found a stabilising ingredient, Michael Hussey, whose 95 kept them in the game

The Report by Brydon Coverdale31-Aug-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMichael Hussey swept with the spin and kept Australia in the contest•AFPSmart stats

Michael Hussey’a 95 is his fourth score in the nineties and his 25th half-century in Tests. In matches since his debut (November 2005), Hussey’s aggregate is second only to that of Ricky Ponting among Australia batsmen.

Australia were dismissed for less than 300 for the eighth time in Tests in Sri Lanka. On the previous tour, they were bowled out for 220 in the first innings in Galle but went on to win the Test by 197 runs.

Ponting once again failed to convert a good start into a substantial score. In Tests since the start of 2008, his conversion rate of fifties to centuries is just 0.33 whereas in the period from the beginning of 2002 to the end of 2007, the conversion rate was over one (24 centuries and 23 fifties).

The 55-run stand for the third wicket between Ponting and Michael Clarke is the sixth half-century stand between the two batsmen in Tests. They have shared three century stands in 24 innings with a highest of 352 against Pakistan in 2010.

Rangana Herath’s 3 for 54 is his third-best bowling performance against Australia in Tests. His top two performances against Australia came in Colombo (2004) and Galle (1999).

Playing in his 40th Test, Prasanna Jayawardene became the third Sri Lanka wicketkeeper after Kumar Sangakkara and Romesh Kaluwitharana to reach the 100-dismissal mark in Tests.

There is a recipe for success against Australia’s batsmen. As England have discovered, it involves a generous portion of quality spin bowling and a dollop of reverse swing, while a pinch of variable bounce doesn’t hurt. On the first day of the series Rangana Herath and Suranga Lakmal followed the proven formula to put Sri Lanka on top, but by stumps the visitors had found a stabilising ingredient, Michael Hussey, whose 95 kept them in the game.Australia could have finished the day with a very nasty taste in their mouth were it not for Hussey, who missed out on his 14th Test century when he was lbw to Tillakaratne Dilshan as the sun set on Galle. The Sri Lanka openers walked out to face one over but the umpires decided the light was insufficient, and the hosts headed back inside to prepare for the second day, knowing that batting wouldn’t be easy on a pitch offering plenty of turn.Hussey handled the conditions better than any of his team-mates, sweeping with the spin, watching the ball closely out of the bowler’s hand, and getting to the pitch whenever possible. He had come to the crease at 91 for 3, with rebuilding required, and he did just that in a watchful start; at one point Australia faced 83 balls between boundaries.Gradually he allowed himself some more expansive shots, and brought up his half-century from his 115th delivery with an off-drive for four off Suraj Randiv. He struck three sixes off Randiv, two convincing and one off which he was fortunate to survive. Chanaka Welegedara at long-off stepped back to take the catch, but touched the boundary with his foot after he completed the take, which would otherwise have ended Hussey’s innings on 76.By pushing Australia up to 273 after they had been 157 for 5, Hussey gave them hope. The good news for Australia is that the batting conditions won’t get any easier and Sri Lanka, unless they post a monstrous first-innings score, will have to bat last. The bad news is that Australia will be relying on an attack featuring two debutants, one of whom, their only frontline spinner Nathan Lyon, has just five first-class matches to his name.Lyon can learn a lot from the way Herath bowled on this surface. Sri Lanka left out their mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis – a mystery in itself, given how he bamboozled Australia at times in the limited-overs games – but Herath proved a difficult enough opponent in favourable conditions. That much was obvious from the moment he was introduced, in the seventh over of the match.Shane Watson had come out hard against the seamers, but he was flummoxed by Herath’s first delivery. From around the wicket, the left-armer got the ball to drift in, grip and turn sharply on a pitch devoid of grass, and Watson’s outside edge was wonderfully taken by one of the best pure gloveman in world cricket at the moment, Prasanna Jayawardene.From that point on, Australia knew they had a tough day ahead of them. Herath didn’t run through the batting order – he finished with 3 for 54 – but nor did he let the batsmen settle. Clarke had used his feet well against the slow men, but on 23 he was done in by a Herath delivery that skidded on, straightening just a fraction, and Clarke was lbw after Sri Lanka reviewed the not-out decision.And while the big turner got Watson and the straight ball baffled Clarke, Ricky Ponting went to a delivery that fell somewhere in between. Freed from the burden of captaincy, Ponting had played a couple of cracking shots, including a square drive for four off Welegedara and a fleet-footed loft back over the head of Herath.Soon after that shot, Ponting, on 44, tried the same again but Herath imparted just enough extra spin to deceive Ponting, whose lofted shot ended up going straight to the man at long-off. It was a disappointing end for Ponting, who seemed bent on rebuilding Australia’s innings and had put on a 55-run stand with Clarke.They had come together after Phillip Hughes was surprised by extra bounce from Suranga Lakmal, who caught the shoulder of the bat and had his man caught at slip. It wasn’t the only time the Australia batsmen were caught out by fine pace bowling; on the stroke of tea, Usman Khawaja failed to pick the late swing from Welegedara and he was bowled for 21.Brad Haddin struck a couple of fierce blows in his 24 before he was well taken at leg slip by Angelo Mathews off Randiv, and Lakmal helped finish off the tail. Australia contributed to their own demise, Ryan Harris declining to ask for a review of his lbw, although replays showed Lakmal’s delivery would clearly have missed off stump.Trent Copeland made 12 on debut, but his main task will come on the second day. Wet weather delayed the start by an hour on the opening morning, and more rain is forecast for the next few days. Whether Australia can find a winning recipe remains to be seen. At least the groundstaff have served up a result pitch.

Yuvraj Singh has been recalled to the Indian squad for the three-Test series in Sri Lanka starting next month, after being dropped for the recently concluded Asia Cup

Sidharth Monga26-Jun-2010Yuvraj Singh, who was dropped for the recently concluded Asia Cup, has been recalled to India’s squad for the three-Test series in Sri Lanka starting July 18. Suresh Raina, who has been part of Test squads before as injury cover, made it as a first-choice player for the first time. As expected, the selectors went back to Ishant Sharma and Sreesanth to partner Zaheer Khan in the pace department, and three spinners were selected, which meant both Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha were in. A 16-man member squad was chosen to include a reserve wicketkeeper, Wriddhiman Saha.Earlier this month, Yuvraj was dropped from the limited-overs side for the first time since he cemented his place in the early 2000s. Fitness, more than form, was seen as the reason behind the move: he hadn’t been in droppable form in international cricket. The drop was seen as a necessary wake-up call for him. Captain MS Dhoni, however, is a big fan of Yuvraj’s talent, and could have insisted that he be recalled. The selectors perhaps thought that the necessary message had been delivered.The other middle-order selection was due. Raina was part of the squad for India’s last Test, against South Africa in February, but only because of a spate of injuries. Since then he has shown he can survive in international cricket despite an obvious weakness against the short ball. It cannot be denied that he has been scoring consistently despite that awkwardness.A week after he played a winning hand against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, ticking the box of performing in pressure situations, Raina is confident, willing and fit. It is perhaps the best time to put him through the big test, to find out if he can emulate the likes of Steve Waugh and Sourav Ganguly, who were successful in Tests even though Waugh eliminated the hook shot and Ganguly always had to work hard to fight his weakness against the short ball. To think of Waugh and Ganguly is a step too far, but Raina deserved a chance to fail, and he has earned it.Ishant and Sreesanth, part of India’s last Test squad, have gone through pretty ordinary times in limited-overs cricket since then, both in the IPL and while playing for India. They were duly dropped, but are still the best bets for the Test side. More so because none of the alternatives tried in their absence have impressed enough. And Ashish Nehra is not willing to play Tests, while Praveen Kumar is strictly a limited-overs bowler.More importantly, this selection could point to a practical outlook from the selectors, that of having identified Ishant and Sreesanth as Test specialists, and having realised the need to protect them from the excessive one-day cricket, which could have played a part in their downfall.Lack of alternatives could have prompted India to go for three spinners, giving Ojha another chance in a Test squad. India, however, are likely to play two seamers and two spinners barring extraordinary circumstances, and the three-day game at Nondescripts Cricket Club should provide a good competition between Ishant and Sreesanth, and Mishra and Ojha.Squad: MS Dhoni (wk & capt.), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag (vice-capt.), Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, M Vijay, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, Wriddhiman Saha (wk)

Some Everton fans have been left raging over some transfer news that has emerged on Dele Alli.

Speaking on The Athletic’s The View from The Lane Podcast (via Everton Blue Army), journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke has revealed that the Goodison Park faithful could now consider signing the Tottenham Hotspur midfield player on loan towards the end of the January transfer window, but there has not been any progress on that as of yet.

Alli has fallen away from the player he once was at Spurs, where he scored 50 goals and made 36 assists in the Premier League from midfield between the 2015/16 and 2019/20 seasons (regular England international.

However, just one goal and one assist has followed in the top flight over the last two terms (2019.

Nonetheless, it seems strange that the Merseyside club would look to loan him in on this kind of form, and so it is not surprising to see so many Toffees against the idea.

Everton fans on Alli transfer news

These Blues supporters raged as the transfer news was shared on Twitter:

“If this happens I give up”

Credit: @sammykingston7

“If this has a leg, please NO!”

Credit: @objective_KEL

“This club is finished”

Credit: @samwinch98

“Omg when will this hell end?”

Credit: @joeyslittertray

“When will this stuff ever end….it will end…. in the Championship.”

Credit: @Abelsouthall

“Please no. This would do me in”

Credit: @hado72

In other news, find out what transfer update has Evertonians fuming here!

Every time Sachin Tendulkar walks out to bat he has the hopes of billions rested on his shoulders, but when India co-host the World Cup next year expectations will reach even greater levels

Andrew McGlashan14-Jun-2010Every time Sachin Tendulkar walks out to bat he has the hopes of billions rested on his shoulders, yet when India co-host the World Cup next year expectations will reach even greater levels. The final will be hosted in Mumbai, Tendulkar’s home town, but he is refusing to let his mind wander towards the prospect of a moment that would crown his career.”As far as the World Cup is concerned it is a process. We don’t want to jump to the 50th floor straight away, we must start on the ground floor,” he said. “We must take it step-by-step but to get there would be a fascinating journey. It is our dream, not just mine but the entire nation, to get there. To play the final in Mumbai is something you can only dream of and everything has to come together.”But if we can play to the best of our potential then I think we can do something we have been longing to do for quite some time.”Tendulkar is currently taking a break from the game but will return to Indian colours for the Test series against Sri Lanka next month. The five-day format has suddenly taken on a much greater priority in India – although Tendulkar, himself, has always been adamant it is the main brand of the game – after the team reached No. 1 in the world.They will look to consolidate that position against Sri Lanka before a mouth-watering contest in South Africa at the end of the year as the top two ranked teams go head-to-head over three Tests at Centurion, Durban and Cape Town. It will be a huge challenge for India to compete in foreign conditions against the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, but Tendulkar doesn’t want to let the top spot slip away after working so hard for the honour.”To be number one is special, it was our dream and our target to get to the number one spot in Test cricket,” he said. “We have had a good run in the last 20 months. Everyone wants to be number one and we cannot relax because there are other countries who want to be number one. It means a lot to us.”At 37, it won’t be too long before Tendulkar calls time on his stellar career. He has already cut back his Twenty20 commitments and doesn’t play that format internationally, while he also declined a deal with Middlesex this season to spend more time with his family. However, for the time being he has no plans to end his Test or one-day days.”I want to play for as long as possible and as long as I have the desire and the hunger I will carry on,” he said. “The day I do not want to get out of bed and do anything then I know it will be time to go in another direction.” Sachin Tendulkar is an RBS brand ambassador and was speaking in London to mark 30 years of NatWest involvement in English cricket

Rangers were dealt a big blow earlier this month when the news dropped that striker Alfredo Morelos will miss the rest of the season through injury.

In the Colombian’s absence, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has had to rely on Kemar Roofe to fill in and lead the line for his side.

Even though the Gers have some important games left to play before the season draws to an end and the summer transfer window opens, it seems as though the club are in the mix to sign one player that could potentially bring an end to Roofe’s time at Ibrox.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Football League World, Rangers are interested in signing Stoke City striker Jacob Brown.

Since joining the Championship club back in September 2020 from Barnsley, the Scotsman has gone on to make 95 appearances for the Potters across all competitions.

Bad news for Roofe

This season has seen the 24-year-old Brown really make a name for himself as a dangerous goalscorer.

In 42 league appearances, the striker has found the back of the net 12 times and provided four assists along the way.

Labelled as a “versatile” player by Michael O’Neill and as a “bright talent” by journalist Alan Biggs, Brown has racked up more shots at goal (80) than any other Stoke player.

Also, no other forward has been able to match the same number of tackles (24) or interceptions (16) that Brown has, showing how he can defend from the front.

This shows just how much of an all-around useful player he is on the pitch for his side, who would surely be gutted to see him leave.

Even though Roofe has only played half the number of SPFL games that the £2.7m-rated Stoke striker has this season in the Championship, it seems rather difficult to get him to do much defensive work.

With 21 league games played, the Jamaican has only made two tackles and four interceptions for the Gers.

Taking this into account and the age difference between Brown and the 29-year-old Rangers figure, Stoke’s sharp-shooter could be an ideal long-term upgrade on Roofe at Ibrox.

Moving forward, if the opportunity to sign the 24-year-old arises during the summer, Van Bronckhorst’s side should be doing everything they can to bring the centre-forward to his home country and give him the chance to win titles with the Gers.

In other news: GvB can unearth Rangers’ next Aribo in rarely-seen 18 y/o who’s “unlike anyone else”

Ashes cricket will be shown free-to-air in England after digital channel ITV4 secured rights to broadcast one-hour evening highlights

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Nov-2010Ashes cricket will be shown free-to-air in England after digital channel ITV4 secured rights to broadcast one-hour evening highlights.ITV had success with its exclusive UK coverage of this year’s Indian Premier League and now gets a first chance of showcasing Test cricket as well as the seven one-day and two Twenty20 internationals against Australia in January and February.The highlights will be broadcast at 10pm, shortly before the following day’s live action will be about to get underway. Nevertheless ITV say the channel is available to 93% of UK homes and its coverage is welcome news to those who feared no terrestrial coverage of the Ashes would be available.ITV controller of sport, Niall Sloane said: “There is huge demand to see England defend the Ashes and I’m delighted that we have secured highlights, free-to-air for UK viewers.”

Mitchell Johnson is confident he will be fit for the Test series against Pakistan in July despite an elbow infection that has ruled him out of the opening part of Australia’s tour

Cricinfo staff10-Jun-2010Mitchell Johnson is confident he will be fit for the Test series against Pakistan in July despite an elbow infection that has ruled him out of the opening part of Australia’s tour. The Australians fly out on Friday to begin their trip with six ODIs against England and Ireland, and Johnson has been replaced in the squad by Josh Hazlewood.Australia are already without the wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for the one-dayers and he is no certainty for the two Tests against Pakistan at Lord’s and Headingley. However, Johnson is hopeful of being available to spearhead the attack.”It’s a bit of an elbow infection that flared up again after the West Indies,” Johnson told the Sydney radio station 2UE. “It’s not something that really I’m enjoying at the moment, to miss out on a tour for the Australian team, but hopefully I can get it right here and then be back over there for the Twenty20s and Test matches.”I hope [it’s not long-term]. I’ve seen some specialists yesterday or the day before and got their opinions. Hopefully they’ve given me the right stuff to heal it up. Fingers crossed and hopefully I’ll be back out there soon.”Johnson’s absence has opened the door for the 19-year-old New South Wales fast man Hazlewood, who was supposed to be representing Australia A this month. His plans have been upgraded and he will jet off to Ireland with the senior squad under Ricky Ponting.”It’s all pretty exciting, it’s all happening pretty quickly,” Hazlewood told AAP. “I’m just hoping to learn a lot from the fast bowlers over there and maybe get a little time with the ball.”Should Hazlewood make his ODI debut during the series, he will be Australia’s youngest ever one-day international debutant. In November 2008 he became the youngest fast bowler to play for New South Wales, and stepping on to the international stage would provide a thrill for the residents of Bendemeer, the country town from which he hails.”It’s a pretty quiet little town of about 300 people just out of Tamworth,” Hazlewood said. “They’ll be over the moon I reckon. There’s been a few good stars from Tamworth but none from Bendemeer.”

According to reports in France, via Sport Witness, Issa Diop could be on his way out of West Ham in January, with AC Milan, Newcastle and Watford all sniffing around for his signature.

The Lowdown: Diop faltering

Diop has had an up and down career in east London since joining from Toulouse in 2018. He racked up 64 Premier League starts across his first two campaigns as a Hammer, but has fallen out of favour and made the XI just five times in the top flight this season (Whoscored).

That fall from grace has largely been down to the form of Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma under David Moyes, with injuries to the pair the only reason Diop has found himself back in the team in recent weeks.

He hasn’t exactly thrived since returning to the heart of the defence though, ranking as West Ham’s 16th-best performer this season. He averages a mere one aerial duel win per game, less than half that of both Ogbonna and Zouma (Whoscored).

The Latest: Hammers in contact

According to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, translated by SW, three clubs have already initiated contact to offer Diop a route away from the Irons.

The report claims Milan have made an enquiry while Newcastle and Watford have also ‘established contacts’, although there are no specifics on whether West Ham have a desire to sell.

Diop is currently valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt, with a contract running until 2023 – the club also have an option to extend that by a further year.

The Verdict: Would be foolish from GSB

While there is no question Diop’s development has not gone as expected after his early promise in claret and blue, selling in January would be foolish, especially to a Premier League rival.

The 6 foot 4 colossus seems to have lost a bit of confidence – to go from Jose Mourinho hailing him as a “monster” who “dominated” Manchester United back in September 2018 to a player struggling to win a single header per game certainly indicates that.

However, he is still only 24, and with the injury crisis suffered at centre-back this season Moyes simply does not have the option of cashing in now. That would leave the Scot with only Craig Dawson as a senior centre-back, and it’s hard to envisage GSB splashing the cash on several winter signings to fill that gap.

With the time left on his contract, the Hammers would be much wiser allowing the Frenchman six more months to prove his worth, and simply sell up in the summer once their first-choice pairing returns if that does not happen.

In other news: Hammers fans were stunned by one man’s display vs Watford…

Everton have reportedly agreed a deal with Manchester United to take Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek on loan for the rest of the season.

What’s the story?

According to The Guardian, the Toffees have an agreement in place with United to take the 24-year-old on loan and pay his full salary with the deal likely to be the first under the management of Frank Lampard.

The former Chelsea boss is set to return to management after a year out of work by taking the Everton vacancy after Rafa Benitez was sacked just under two weeks ago.

The Merseyside club’s Premier League rivals Crystal Palace were also in the hunt but, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, van de Beek has chosen to join Everton for the rest of the season.

Ornstein tweeted: “Donny van de Beek has this morning decided to join Everton on loan from Manchester United for rest of season.”

Fans will be elated

Everton are desperate for a midfielder with Abdoulaye Doucoure, Tom Davies and Fabian Delph all sidelined until March, making a swoop for the Dutchman essential.

Moreover, with the Toffees stuck in 16th place, fans will be desperate to see quality added to the squad in order for their side to squash any relegation fears as soon as possible.

The 24-year-old’s difficult situation at Manchester United has been well documented over the past months, however, the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as the club’s interim manager has worsened the midfielder’s predicament, having played just seven minutes of Premier League football under the German.

The midfielder has also lost his place in the Dutch national team.

Since joining from Dutch giants Ajax in summer 2020, van de Beek has made 50 appearances for United and has struggled to pin down a regular starting place.

Despite limited football, there is no doubt about the ability van de Beek possesses having been a kingpin for Ajax’s first team after come through the youth ranks in Amsterdam.

The Dutchman made 175 appearances for the Eredivisie outfit, scoring 41 goals and registering 34 assists.

If he can replicate that sort of form in Merseyside, fans will no doubt be elated with the acquisition.

Meanwhile, Patrick Boyland has dropped an Everton transfer update…

It’s fair to say that Rangers have had a disappointing second half of the season, despite the Europa League triumphs, the side’s Scottish Premiership form has been poor.

Coming into January with a six-point lead was the ideal scenario for Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his men, then the winter break happened, and Rangers lost arguably their best player of the season, Joe Aribo, to the Africa Cup of Nations and the wheels fell off slightly.

The onus was on van Bronckhorst to strengthen, especially in the midfield areas following Aribo’s brief departure and the sale of Juninho Bacuna, however, the club missed out on an excellent opportunity.

During the summer and January windows, the Gers were constantly linked with Dutch midfielder Joey Veerman, who was playing at Heerenveen. A deal couldn’t be struck and as van Bronckhorst moved into his first transfer window with the team during January, there were hopes of a chance to secure him.

Yet again, Rangers were slack, and PSV Eindhoven eventually signed the midfielder for £5m as he joined his boyhood club.

Former Rangers striker Michael Mols lavished “perfect” praise on his fellow Dutchman and it’s not hard to see why.

Since his arrival at PSV, Veerman has scored six and notched six assists in only 21 matches, a fabulous return.

If we compare this to Aribo in the same period, two goals and five assists, it proves that the Ibrox side should have splashed the cash in January and the club may have been heading into the last four matches in the league with their six-point advantage still intact.

As the summer transfer window looms on the horizon, Ross Wilson can’t afford to let similar players of that class escape their grasp again. After all, with Aribo touted with an exit, 23-year-old Veerman would very much have been the perfect heir.

AND in other news, Van Bronckhorst can brutally axe “shaky” Rangers dud in deal for “annoyingly brilliant” £0 machine