Emery Must Finally Unleash £18m Villa "Threat" Vs Wolves

Aston Villa's ten-game unbeaten run in the Premier League came crashing to an end last weekend as they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Bruno Fernandes' goal was enough to secure all three points for the home side on the day and Unai Emery's men now have an opportunity to return to winning ways this afternoon as they travel away to play Wolverhampton Wanderers.

They are up against Julen Lopetegui's team after a 6-0 drubbing against Brighton and should be wary of a strong reaction from their opponents.

Keeping this in mind and the result against the Red Devils last time out, Emery may look to make some changes to his XI to keep the competition for places strong and avoid complacency.

Will Jhon Duran start against Wolves?

The Spanish head coach should start young forward Jhon Duran as the boss could unlock an exciting partnership with Ollie Watkins at the top end of the pitch.

Jacob Ramsey and Emiliano Buendia lined up behind the England international last time out and both struggled – recording Sofascore ratings of 5.9 and 6.5 respectively.

Emiliano Buendia of Aston Villa.

The latter has one goal contribution in his last five starts and his lack of involvement in the final third indicates that it could be time to give another player the opportunity to prove their worth in that position behind the number nine.

This could open up the door for a change in the set-up behind Watkins and Emery must finally unlock the rarely-seen Duran, who is yet to start a match in the division, ahead of Buendia.

The Colombian international, who was once hailed as "powerful" and an "aerial threat" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has not had the chance to showcase his ability at Villa yet, due to being restricted to substitute appearances, but impressed in the MLS for Chicago Fire last year.

Duran scored eight times and provided three assists in 14 starts, averaging a Sofascore rating of 6.91, in the division in 2022 and these statistics show that the potential is there for the forward to make a big impact in the final third.

The teenager, albeit in another country, has shown that he has the quality to score and assist goals in a professional environment in spite of his young age and the marksman could provide Watkins, who has scored 14 top-flight goals this term, with the support that Buendia has been unable to in recent weeks.

Now, imagine the £18m gem and the Englishman lining up against Wolves this afternoon and causing their troubled defence constant problems with their goalscoring threat.

فيديو | منتخب تونس يواصل التعثر بتعادل صعب مع مالي في كأس أمم إفريقيا

تعادل منتخب تونس بهدف لهدف مساء اليوم السبت أمام المنتخب المالي في كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023.

منتخب تونس واجه مالي، في الجولة الثانية من عمر مباريات المجموعة الخامسة لـ كأس أمم إفريقيا المقامة في كوت ديفوار.

اقرأ أيضًا..محرز يتجاهل الانتقادات بعد تعادل الجزائر مع بوركينا فاسو: لا نستمع لما يُقال خلف الهواتف

تقدم منتخب مالي بهدف مبكر من التصويبة الأولى عن طريق لاسين سينايوكو في الدقيقة العاشرة من عمر اللقاء.

وجاء هدف التعادل للمنتخب التونسي عن طريق حمزة رفيعة في الدقيقة الـ20 من عمر الشوط الأول لينتهي اللقاء بتعادل الفريقين بهدف لهدف.

بتلك النتيجة يحصد منتخب تونس أول نقاطه في البطولة، بينما وصلت مالي للنقطة الرابعة حيث سبق وأن فازت على حساب منتخب جنوب إفريقيا.

وبات منتخب مالي في صدارة المجموعة الخامسة برصيد 5 نقاط، بينما زامبيا في الوصافة برصيد نقطة بالتساوي مع تونس ثم جنوب إفريقيا في المركز الأخير من دون نقاط.

منتخب تونس يتواجد في المجموعة الخامسة مع مالي وجنوب إفريقيا وناميبيا. أهداف مباراة تونس ومالي في كأس أمم إفريقيا

تشكيل تونس اليوم أمام مالي في كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023

حراسة المرمي: البشير بن سعيد.

خط الدفاع: وجدي كشريدة، علي العابدي، ياسين مرياح ومنتصر الطالبي.

خط الوسط: عيسي العيدوني، إلياس السخيري، أنيس بن سليمان وحمزة رفيع.

خط الهجوم: إلياس العاشوري ويوسف المساكني. تشكيل مالي أمام تونس في كأس امم إفريقيا 2023

حراسة المرمى: ديجوي ديارا.

خط الدفاع: هاماري تراوري، بوباكر كوياتي، سيكو نياكاتي، فالاي ساكو.

خط الوسط: ديديه ساماسيكو، لاسانا كوليبالي، أمادو هايدارا، كاموري دومبيا.

الهجوم: لاسيني سينايوكو، سيكو كويتا.

يمكنكم متابعة تفاصيل وأحداث المباراة مباشر بالفيديو لحظة بلحظة من هنا الشوط الأول

د1:  بداية المباراة.

د4: ضغط قوي من منتخب مالي. هدف مالي الأول

د8: جووووووووووووووووووووول هدف أول للمنتخب المالي في الدقيقة التاسعة من تصويبة من داخل منطقة الجزاء من اللاعب سيمايكو. هدف منتخب تونس

د20: جووووووووول هدف التعادل لمنتخب تونس عن طريق حمزة رفيعة مستغلا عرضية رائعة من عيسي العيدوني ليودعها في مرمى مالي في الدقيقة 20.

د26: عرضية رائعة من ركنية لدومبيا لكن تبعد بواسطة دفاعات تونس قبل وصولها لرأسية من هايدرا.

د43: عرضية رائعة من العيدوني وارتباك لدفاعات مالي ثم تغطية دفاعية من كوياتي.

د46: صاروخ من علي العابدي لكن أعلى العارضة.

نهاية الشوط الأول بالتعادل الإيجابي بهدف لهدف. الشوط الثاني

د46: بداية الشوط الثاني.

د49: اصابة بشير بن سعيد حارس تونس بسبب تدخل قوي مع مهاجم مالي.

د52: تصويبة من دومبيا تمر على يسار مرمى الحارس التونسي. تصويبة تونسية على مرمى مالي

د59: تصويبة صاروخية من كوليبالي أعلى عارضة الحارس التونسي.

د67: عرضية رائعة من العبدلي لكن تبعد من دفاعات مالي قبل وصولها لرفيعة. هل حرم الحكم تونس من ركلة جزاء امام مالي بكأس امم افريقيا؟

د75: عرضية خطيرة لمنتخب مالي لكن بشير حارس تونس ينقذ الموقف بقبضة اليد.

د79: كرة سهلة تهدر أمام المرمى من سانوكو.

د86: تصويبة من دياباتيه تصطدم بمنتصر الطالبي وتتحول لركنية مالية.

د91: عرضية من ديابتيه لكن بعيدة عن مهاجمي مالي.

نهاية المباراة بالتعادل بهدف لهدف بين تونس ومالي.

Plunkett tips balance in fascinating contest

Liam Plunkett made 57 down the order as Yorkshire set Lancashire 349 to win and then removed Tom Smith before the close

Paul Edwards at Headingley31-May-2016
ScorecardLiam Plunkett struck 57 batting at No. 9•Getty Images

Clouds chasing each other across a torn, pavement-grey sky; tree branches jostling each other for room in a skittish wind; the Championship pennant tugging its flagpole in rebellious pride; a cloth sightscreen billowing at the Football Stand End; then floodlights throwing dark shadows.It was a northern morning of stereotypical conception at Headingley on the third day of this game, a bowlers’ morning too, you might think, although it seemed too cool for those who depended on swing. Spectators wrapped in their loyalties watched the cricket and they did so with a concentration that precluded other activities. For this has all the makings of a classic Roses match, albeit more an exquisite hybrid tea than a sprawling floribunda.Yorkshire were in charge of the game when the third day began and they remain in control going into the final three sessions. A lead of 189 with seven second-innings wickets in hand at the start of play represented prosperity, and at just past three o’clock, when Jack Brooks was castled by Luke Procter, that affluence had been extended to 348.Happily for those who revere statistical symmetry, Lancashire now need to make their seventh-highest fourth-innings score to win a first-class game and Yorkshire must concede their seventh-biggest score to lose one. The argument that the rivalry between these teams is so fierce because their approaches to cricket are so similar has been insufficiently investigated. Suddenly it is strengthened by the quiddity of numbers.The odds, though, are by no means six to five and pick ’em. Lancashire have already lost Tom Smith, who miscued Steve Patterson to Liam Plunkett at short cover when he had made 15. Procter joined Haseeb Hameed and these two young scrappers took the total to 41 when bad light curtailed a very fine day’s cricket 16.4 overs early. Lancashire will need to make the biggest total of the match to win it and they must score 308 runs in a day. Yorkshire need to take nine wickets on a pitch where no one has batted serenely. Hameed is probably looking forward to it.The morning session offered cricket of the highest quality as a Lancashire attack strove to limit Yorkshire’s lead. The visitors were weakened by the absence of Tom Bailey, whose side injury prevented him bowling. But such twists of fate only seem to inspire Neil Wagner, who removed Adam Lyth for 48 with the second ball of the morning when the Yorkshireman played down a line of his own imagination and lost his leg stump.Things got even better for Lancashire as Patterson, the nightwatchman, was caught behind by Steven Croft off Smith and the irrepressible Wagner produced a fine lifter which Andrew Gale could only poke to Hameed at short leg. Inside seven overs of the morning Yorkshire had been cut down to 89 for 6 and their lead was 201.But this Yorkshire team frequently find a way to prevent unpleasantness from degenerating into outright disaster. And they did so again as Adil Rashid tailored an innings suited to his team’s needs rather than his own attacking instincts. While Tim Bresnan hit five off-side boundaries, Rashid played the role of a middle-order anchor and revealed another depth to his cricket. In consequence, 41 runs were added before Bresnan edged Procter to Liam Livingstone at first slip and departed in lofty dudgeon, having stood his ground in the belief the ball had bounced. That excellent slipper Livingstone, however, had already dropped Rashid on 10 off the same bowler; and the one he spilled may have mattered more than the one he pouched.Plunkett came to the wicket but there was no change in Yorkshire’s tactics. Rashid continued batting with the forced restraint of a naturally impish boy during the visit of a strict but well-heeled grandmother. The importance of the occasion and the possibility of reward suffocated any impulse towards transgression. The crowd’s attention was undiminished, the chill air ignored. “The closeness has an air that listens,” wrote Alan Ross in “JM Parks at Tunbridge Wells”, a truly great poem written after the sight of the eponymous batsman making 188 against Kent in 1951 had awakened deep and various memories.Plunkett played a fine attacking innings and the eighth-wicket stand was worth 74 runs when Rashid was caught in the short leg position off Simon Kerrigan for 34, Croft scampering round to take the catch. Plunkett continued in his merry way to a half-century, scattering the spectators on the top deck of the Kirkstall Lane End with a huge six, also off Kerrigan, two balls before holing out to Petersen for 57 from only 84 balls. By then, though, Yorkshire’s lead was above 300. Sunlit pastures on a grey day.And the cricket with ended with Hameed facing Bresnan, the two cricketers taking their roles in a deeper narrative: Haigh to JT Tyldesley, Hirst to Spooner, Macaulay to Makepeace, Bowes to Paynter, Trueman to Washbrook, Nicholson to Pilling, Old to Wood, Gough to Atherton.”The past is never dead,” wrote William Faulkner in , “It isn’t even past.” And now Bresnan to Hameed…

موعد والقناة الناقلة لمباراة أنجولا وناميبيا اليوم في كأس أمم إفريقيا.. والمعلقين

يبحث منتخب أنجولا عن مواصلة الظهور القوي في النسخة الحالية من كأس أمم إفريقيا عندما يلتقي مع ناميبيا في بداية الأدوار الإقصائية.

منتخب أنجولا بلغ دور الـ16 من خلال تصدر المجموعة الرابعة بجمع 7 نقاط عن طريق الفوز بثنائية نظيفة على بوركينا فاسو، والفوز على موريتانيا بثلاثة أهداف لهدفين، ثم التعادل مع الجزائر بهدف لمثله.

طالع.. مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة أنجولا وناميبيا في كأس أمم إفريقيا.. إعلان التشكيلين

أما منتخب ناميبيا فقد حل في المركز الثالث برصيد 4 نقاط فقط في المجموعة الخامسة، بفوز بنتيجة هدف نظيف على تونس ثم الخسارة برباعية نظيفة أمام جنوب إفريقيا والتعادل مع مالي بدون أهداف. موعد مباراة أنجولا وناميبيا اليوم في دور الـ16 من كأس أمم إفريقيا

تنطلق المباراة اليوم السبت 27 يناير في تمام الساعة السابعة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة الثامنة بتوقيت السعودية، على استاد “السلام” بمدينة بواكي بكوت ديفوار. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة أنجولا وناميبيا اليوم في دور الـ16 من كأس أمم إفريقيا

تذاع المباراة عبر قناة “bein sports MAX 1″، باعتبارها الناقل الحصري للبطولة في إفريقيا والشرق الأوسط. معلقين مباراة أنجولا وناميبيا اليوم في دور الـ16 من كأس أمم إفريقيا

يعلق على المباراة كل من طارق الأدور ومحمد مبروكي.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Newcastle Linked With Move For £94k-A-Week Champion

Newcastle United are interested in signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo De Paul this summer, according to a new transfer report.

Is De Paul having a good season?

The 28-year-old has enjoyed a memorable season, although it is for his international achievements that he has been most famed for. He played a massive role in Argentina tasting World Cup glory late last year, proving to be an influential box-to-box presence throughout the tournament.

De Paul started all seven of his country's matches on their way to glory, providing legs and fight in the middle of the park, and almost acting as a perfect foil for superstar teammate Lionel Messi. The £94,000-a-week ace has also scored twice and registered five assists in La Liga for Atletico this season, however, showing that has been effective at club level, too.

His current deal doesn't expire until the summer of 2026, but it could be that he leaves in the upcoming transfer window, having not always been a regular starter for Atletico this season, starting just 20 league games.

Could Newcastle sign De Paul this summer?

According to a report from Spain [via Caught Offside], Newcastle are eyeing up a move for De Paul once the current campaign reaches its conclusion. The Magpies are thought to be willing to pay €40m (£35m) for his signature, making him a key part of their midfield in the process.

This could be a fantastic signing for Newcastle ahead of next season, with De Paul someone who shone so much at the World Cup, averaging 1.6 tackles and one key pass per game. He could be a brilliant midfield partner for Bruno Guimaraes at St James' Park, complimenting the Brazilian's more attack-minded, aesthetically-pleasing style and giving Eddie Howe's side even more meanness alongside Joelinton.

At 28, De Paul now has a wealth of experience, having won 53 caps for Argentina and made 273 appearances in Serie A and La Liga combined, but he is also still young enough to potentially be at his best for another four or five more years. He has been described as a "great player" by former player Ricardo Giusti and he is someone who has all the attributes to help take Newcastle to that next step.

It goes without saying that a top-four finish is vital if the Magpies want to sign him, however, with the Atletico man surely wanting Champions League football if he leaves his current club.

BCB won't negotiate with Faruque – Nazmul Hassan

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said the board will not negotiate further with Faruque Ahmed, who resigned as chief selector on Sunday

Mohammad Isam20-Jun-2016

‘He hasn’t officially informed me or the board. He has been working under the same system all this time’ – Nazmul Hassan•AFP

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said the board will not negotiate with Faruque Ahmed, who resigned as chief selector on Sunday. Hassan said the BCB hadn’t received an official resignation yet.Faruque announced his resignation after the board of directors restructured the selection panel, expanding it to six members comprising the three original selectors, the Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, and two BCB representatives in cricket operations chairman Akram Khan and director Khaled Mahmud, who is also the Bangladesh team manager. Faruque said the new selection process would be a hindrance.Hassan insisted that Faruque had worked under a similar system when he took over as chief selector for his second stint in 2013.”He hasn’t officially informed me or the board,” Hassan said. “He has been working under the same system all this time. I don’t see any difference now and I don’t know where the problem is. This is not a new system and we are not changing anything as the team is doing well. I think I now have to ask him whether the teams he gave [for approval] wasn’t changed. We had to sit in many meetings with the selectors before every single game.”There is no scope for negotiation. Did we get a better pace bowling coach than Heath Streak? We didn’t negotiate with him when he wanted to leave.”Hassan said Faruque’s success was a factor in his appointment as chief selector to the three-member panel.”I like Faruque,” Hassan said. “We have respected his past record by keeping the chief selector’s post. But he can resign if he doesn’t agree with it. There’s no need to create any problems or spread confusion. I don’t want to do it but if I am pushed, I will tell everyone directly what happened.”Questions were raised after Mahmud’s controversial inclusion in the selection committee, but Hassan said his role was to only provide strategic input.”The manager is not in the selection process,” Hassan said. “The team will be picked by the selectors. Before every series, the coach and manager will only inform the selectors of their requirements. The selectors will pick the team with those in mind.”Tamim Iqbal or Shakib Al Hasan never came to me [for selection matters], only [Khaled Mahmud] Sujon comes to me. We could have included the captain in the selection committee instead of the manager. Since the captain is happy with the inclusion of the manager, the selectors shouldn’t have a problem with him.”

Arsenal: Edu Trying To Stop "Exceptional" Gem From Leaving

Arsenal are "doing all they can" to stop prodigy Ethan Nwaneri from joining Premier League rivals Man City, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

The north Londoners are attempting to back manager Mikel Arteta behind-the-scenes after what has been, overall, a very strong campaign – even if Arsenal end up missing out on their first league title in nearly 20 years.

City's incredible form has resulted in the Gunners playing catch up, with Arteta relying on a slip up from his former mentor if his side are to stand any chance of winning the league.

Regardless, just one year ago, Arsenal were pipped to a top four finish by arch rivals Tottenham – and now they're guaranteed the riches of Champions League football for next campaign in a major boost for the club.

Chelsea target Ethan Nwaneri

2023/2024 is a prime opportunity to build upon this season and challenge for honours, but as well as incomings, there have been reports of certain players potentially leaving the Emirates Stadium.

The likes of Kieran Tierney and Emile Smith Rowe have been mentioned in this regard, with highly promising starlet Nwaneri also attracting major interest.

According to Football Insider and reporter O'Rourke, City have been targeting the 16-year-old and are increasingly confident they can land him, but Arsenal are desperate to stop it.

Indeed, it is believed the club are "doing all they can" to prevent Nwaneri's departure to the Etihad Stadium, and while City think they can sign him, it is by no means a done deal.

As the youngster is yet to pen a professional deal, Arsenal would only be due a compensation package if he were to move up north.

Why Arsenal need to halt Nwaneri exit

Nwaneri is, arguably, the most exciting young and upcoming player Arsenal have in their ranks.

The midfielder has already broken a Premier League record, becoming the youngest player to ever make a top flight debut earlier this campaign at just 15 years and 181 days old.

The England Under-17 international has dazzled for Arsenal at youth level this season too – scoring six goals and four assists across appearances in Premier League 2, The Under-18s Premier League and FA Youth Cup (Transfermarkt).

Jack Wilshere has also heaped praise on Nwaneri, calling him an "exceptional talent", and losing him to one of Arsenal's biggest rivals will be a sore, sore blow for Arteta to take.

أليو سيسيه: التاريخ لن يكون حاسمًا أمام كوت ديفوار.. ولاعبو السنغال أعداء أنفسهم

يرى المدير الفني لمنتخب السنغال الأول، أليو سيسيه، أن تفوق كوت ديفوار تاريخيًا على الأسود لا يهم كثيرًا عكس ما يمكن تحقيقه في الحاضر في كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023.

ويلتقي منتخبا السنغال وكوت ديفوار غدًا، الإثنين، في دور الـ16 بكأس أمم إفريقيا في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كاف يعلن التشكيل المثالي لـ دور المجموعات من كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023

وقال سيسيه في تصريحات بمؤتمره الصحفي منذ قليل: “ليس لدي القدرة على تغيير الأرقام التاريخية، لكن نحن في الحاضر وهو الأهم”.

وتابع: “كانت بدايتنا مثالية في البطولة، لكننا سنواجه فريقًا عظيمًا مثل كوت ديفوار أمام جماهيره، مباراة صعبة للغاية ولا علاقة لها بالماضي سواء في 1992 أو 2014”.

وأضاف: “نحن سنبدأ مرحلة جديدة من البطولة، علينا التركيز، بالطبع فريق مثل كوت ديفوار سيريد التعويض عما حدث في المجموعات، لكننا نريد التأهل”.

واستمر: “حتى لو لم ننجح في الفوز أبدًا على البلد المضيف، فكرة القدم خلقت من أجل التحديات وسنرى ماذا يخبئ لنا القدر بعد نتائج جيدة بالعلامة الكاملة في المجموعات”.

وأتم: “نحن نحترم الجميع ولكننا لا نخشى أحدًا، نحن عدو أنفسنا ويجب أن نركز على أنفسنا، لقد حققنا الكثير من الأشياء الإيجابية ولكن لن نهتم بذلك في مباراة الغد، علينا الفوز لنواصل”.

الزمالك يعلن تأجيل مؤتمر الصفقات الجديدة

قرر مسؤولو الزمالك تأجيل المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بالإعلان عن الصفقات الجديدة المنضمة للقلعة البيضاء.

ويبذل مجلس إدارة الزمالك جهدًا كبيرًا في الفترة الحالية من أجل التعاقد مع عدد من اللاعبين خلال الانتقالات الشتوية الجارية، بعدما انتهت أزمة القيد والتي حرمت الفريق من ضم أي لاعبين منذ الموسم الماضي.

طالع.. خاص | عبد الحميد بسيوني يرفض رحيل لاعب طلائع الجيش إلى الزمالك

وكان من المقرر أن يقام المؤتمر الصحفي في السابعة مساء غد الخميس ليعلن خلاله مسؤولو الزمالك الصفقات التي تم إبرامها.

واستقر مسؤولو الزمالك على تأجيل المؤتمر الصحفي ليوم الإثنين المقبل الموافق 5 من شهر فبراير.

يذكر، أن الزمالك قد فاز بلقب بطولة كأس دبي للتحدي على حساب الأهلي السعودي، بنتيجة 3-0.

Onus for avoiding injuries on players – Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka’s chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya has placed the onus for avoiding injuries partially on the cricketers, upon the team’s return from a difficult tour of the UK and Ireland

Andrew Fidel Fernando07-Jul-2016

Sanath Jayasuriya has urged Sri Lanka’s players to “come out of their comfort zone and train” in order to avoid frequent injuries•Getty Images

Sri Lanka’s chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya has placed the onus for avoiding injuries partially on the cricketers, upon the team’s return from a difficult tour of the UK and Ireland.Sri Lanka’s attack was significantly depleted by injury on their travels. Lasith Malinga and legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay were ruled out before the squad was named, then Dhammika Prasad and Dushmantha Chameera were forced to return during the early stages of the tour. Angelo Mathews was also unable to bowl during parts of the ODI series, and allrounder Milinda Siriwardana had suffered an ankle injury that made him unavailable for the third Test.Sri Lanka’s new high performance manager Simon Willis had said on Wednesday that injuries might be better avoided if squads were named early, and conditioning work undertaken before the tours begin. Jayasuriya, however, chose to focus on the players’ “commitment”, and suggested more accountability from the cricketers was necessary.”Simon Willis is right in one sense, but my concern is that injuries have been happening for some time,” Jayasuriya said. “We also need the commitment from the players. You can’t deny that also. I’m saying that in front of the players. They have to come out of their comfort zone and train.”No matter how much myself, Simon and Sri Lanka Cricket are committed, if the player isn’t committed, you can’t do it. I’m not saying they are not committed – they are committed – but they need to do something different to come out and solve this issue.”Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling stocks have been particularly vulnerable to injury over the past three years. Malinga is presently in the middle of a months-long injury layoff, Chameera has suffered a stress reaction that could see him out of action for as many as four months, and Prasad has now missed two entire Test series.”There could be a lot of cricket for sure,” Jayasuriya said. “Then you have to pick the tour and say: ‘I will be playing on this particular tour’. If there’s too much cricket, then the player has to say: ‘I’m not going to last long’, and stay out. Then we can think of something else.”Both Jayasuriya and Mathews said injuries had significantly hamstrung Sri Lanka during the recent tour, where the side suffered a 2-0 defeat in the Test series and lost the ODI series 3-0. Sri Lanka’s attack was especially ineffective against England’s top order during the limited-overs series.”If we can get the same players playing through a series, there will be a difference,” Jayasuriya said. “Unlike when the tour started, by their fourth innings in the Tests, the batsmen were able to score 475. That’s because the same batting unit stayed together. But the bowlers break down from match to match. If we can stop that, we can get to a good place. In the end only Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal were left from the bowlers who started the tour, and even Lakmal, in the last match, had a knee injury.”Jayasuriya also defended his committee’s selection of Ramith Rambukwella for the one-off T20, stating that Rambukwella’s ability to clear the boundaries, and his offspin, had prompted his selection.

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