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Jason Roy’s second Championship hundred of the season, supported by swashbuckling fifties from Tillakaratne Dilshan and Gary Wilson put Surrey in command

Tim Wigmore at The Oval29-Jun-2014
ScorecardJason Roy’s rich run of form continued•PA PhotosThe cricketing Twitterati – including Kevin Pietersen – have taken to trumpeting Jason Roy’s credentials for England in limited-overs cricket. Five half-centuries in seven T20 innings this season, the most recent Friday’s 25-ball 63 – including switch hits reminiscent of Pietersen – are providing a compelling case.But Roy is also finding first-class fulfilment in 2014. Mixing dexterity on his feet against spin, powerful hooking against pace and desire to hit straight, his century against the Division Two leaders oozed certainty.If the three sixes down the ground against spin stood out, most impressive was the judgement Roy displayed. Even as he reached a 102-ball hundred, there remained serenity to his game: a top edge off Kyle Abbott on 81 was the closest he came to offering a chance. It looked almost as if he was holding back. And that is not as fanciful as it sounds – Roy’s last Championship century came off 55 balls.The balance between formats has not always come so easily. Last year Roy was dropped from Surrey’s Championship side after averaging 8.16 in four games. Thankfully Surrey recognised that a 23-year-old of his talent did not merit premature pigeonholing as a white-ball specialist. With 586 runs at 53.27 so far this season, Roy is providing emphatic affirmation of the fact. Perhaps he is also benefitting from the new county schedule, taking the success of his T20 batting into the first-class game.Even an excruciating wait – owing to rain rather than any nerves – was not enough to deny Roy his century, brought up with a lashed drive through the covers. His confidence was such that, even in the day’s final over, a thumping hook bisected two men in the deep. It was hard to believe that, in his 44th first-class match, this was only Roy’s third century. There will be plenty more to come.So impressive was Roy’s batsmanship that he lost nothing by comparison to Tillakaratne Dilshan.Dilshan may have felt under pressure: in the last 12 months, Surrey fans have been treated to supreme innings by Ricky Ponting, Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith. But Dilshan showed he was a worthy successor as overseas signing. After beginning with a bull charge to score his first ever run in Championship cricket, he settled down to have the crowd purring. In a four-ball spell against Danny Briggs, Dilshan used his feet and bludgeoned the ball down the ground, caressed a late cut and then smote a third boundary through the covers.The upshot was that Hampshire’s spin twins – Briggs and 17-year-old Brad Taylor – were unable to maintain control. Both went for over four an over. Matt Coles, meanwhile, appeared devoid of confidence and his seven overs leaked 43 runs.In fact, things became even worse for Hampshire after Dilshan’s dismissal, nicking behind attempting another cut. In Gary Wilson, Roy found an ally almost equally inclined to attack; they have so far added 159 runs at 4.8 an over, including 46 runs in five overs of havoc, taking Surrey to the brink of earning a full house of batting points.Wilson is a resourceful cricketer and, like Roy, is unperturbed by switching between T20 and Championship cricket. He now has 254 runs without dismissal across formats, and the manner in which he used Abbott’s bounce to uppercut him over gully was particularly impressive.But he will have an important decision to make on Monday morning. The time lost to rain means that Surrey are the only side who have a viable chance of winning. It is to be hoped that they thwack the ball around for an hour, reach 450 or so and then declare. To most players the challenge would entail shifting to ‘T20 mode’. But not Roy.

The arrival of five West Indies cricketers to play in South Africa’s domestic T20 competition could provide the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations an opportunity to engage them about the ongoing dispute with their board

Firdose Moonda27-Oct-2014The arrival of five West Indies cricketers to play in South Africa’s domestic T20 competition, which starts on November 2, could provide the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations an opportunity to engage them about the ongoing dispute with their board.Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Chris Gayle, Darren Sammy and Andre Russell will participate in the tournament and FICA’s executive chairman Tony Irish, who is also chief executive of the South African Cricketers’ Association, told ESPNcricinfo he will use the next few weeks to try and discuss the fracas with the quintet.”It’s a positive from a FICA point of view that these players will be in South Africa because it will allow us to engage with them and try and resolve the issue,” Irish said. “I’m looking forward to talking to them over the next few weeks.” While Irish said FICA has been “doing what we can at this stage,” he was not in a position to offer any other comment on where the process was at currently.ESPNcricinfo understands that neither the West Indies players nor their board have yet responded to requests for offers of mediation.Earlier this month, West Indies had pulled out of their tour of India after the fourth ODI in Dharamsala following a protracted payment structure dispute between the players, the board and the West Indies Players’ Association.

As the 2010s come to an end, Goal casts its eye back to pick out the best players in Spain's top flight over the past 10 years

GettyGK: Jan Oblak

Arriving in La Liga in 2014 as the then most expensive goalkeeper in the league, Jan Oblak was viewed as the man to replace Thibaut Courtois for Atletico Madrid. It quickly became clear, however, that he would surpass the Belgium international in the Spanish capital. 

The Slovenian shot-stopper has been named La Liga's Best Goalkeeper for the past four seasons and is the most consistent keeper in Spain's top-flight – rarely making the type of errors number ones at Real Madrid or Barcelona have become prone to. 

Oblak's best domestic campaign came in 2015-16 when he conceded just 18 times across 38 league games, with his performances enough to see him selected in our team ahead of the likes of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Victor Valdes and Keylor Navas.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesRB: Dani Alves

While his time in La Liga came to an abrupt end with Barcelona in 2016, Dani Alves had been a key part of the Catalans' treble-winning side. 

The Brazilian's speed, technical ability and physical strength made him a massive asset for Barca down the right flank. 

While he was named in the La Liga Team of the Year just once, Alves' ability and influence was often under-rated and his recent form for Brazil is a reminder the 36-year-old was and is a special talent. 

GettyCB: Gerard Pique

From a fringe player at Manchester United to a star at Barcelona, Gerard Pique's move to La Liga has paid off handsomely. 

A rock in the Catalans' backline and a rallying figure for the club, the Spanish defender has been key to Barca's success over the past decade. 

Pique has eight La Liga titles to his name and is a man that knows how to step up when his side needs him most. 

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Getty ImagesCB: Sergio Ramos

Talking of stepping up, Sergio Ramos has become an expert at doing just that for Real Madrid. The veteran defender is not only ruthless at the back, but surprisingly clinical in attack.

Ramos' ability in front of goal has proven regularly crucial for Los Blancos over the past decade with the Spaniard chipping in with 37 league goals since the start of the 2010-11 season. 

In defence, he has become infamous for poor discipline and is the most carded player in La Liga history, but those 'dark arts' have also often proved decisive for his side.

The appointment of Paul Farbrace as England’s assistant coach has been confirmed by the ECB

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Apr-2014The appointment of Paul Farbrace as England’s assistant coach has been confirmed by the ECB. Farbrace had been identified as the leading candidate to become Peter Moores’ No. 2 and his resignation as Sri Lanka coach on Tuesday cleared the way for him to join England’s new set-up.The ECB has not specified what compensation, if any, was paid but said “an agreement” had been reached with SLC. Farbrace was only in the Sri Lanka role for three months and Sanath Jayasuriya, the chief selector, said SLC had been left “helpless” after losing their coach weeks before they travel to England for Test, ODI and T20 series.”We are grateful to SLC for their understanding and co-operation in releasing Paul from his contract in order to achieve his desire to return to England and to allow him to work with Peter Moores,” David Collier, the ECB’s chief executive, said. “Paul developed his coaching through the ECB’s Level Four programme and brings substantial international experience to the new England management.”Cook ready to build new England culture

Alastair Cook, England’s captain, said he was pleased to have a new coaching set-up in place after Paul Farbrace was confirmed as Peter Moores’ assistant. Speaking after Essex’s drawn Championship match against Surrey, Cook was keen to start work on “the culture you want to create” with the England side.
Cook, who spoke to Surrey’s coach, Graham Ford, to get some insight on Farbrace, added that there were encouraging signs around the county circuit for England.
“Graham Ford was here this week and on the rainy day on Sunday I was quizzing him a little about ‘Farby’ and everyone I’ve spoken to about him speaks very highly about him,” Cook said. “He’s a good addition because he hasn’t really been involved in an England set-up before and he’ll have some good ideas and he’d also experienced a hell of a lot coaching Sri Lanka.
“The split coaching was tough, people found it hard but now we’ve got a change of regime, a new energy has come in. Of course they’ll have to work on their relationship but they’re good people and it should be fine.
“I’m happy it’s all sorted and you’re glad you can start making plans, start making those first steps as a side and the culture you want to create. As a side to come a successful side doesn’t come by just changing a few personnel. It takes a lot of hard work, a lot of time and effort to do that.
“But looking at county scores the last few weeks people are scoring big hundreds, taking wickets and that’s exciting. People are realising there are places up for grabs and trying to grab them.”

Farbrace’s brief spell in charge of Sri Lanka was a successful one, their only defeat in 18 matches coming against England at the World T20. They went on to lift that trophy, having won the Asia Cup a few weeks beforehand, and the ECB sought out Farbrace to offer him the role when he was back in England on holiday after the World T20.Moores was appointed as England’s head coach for the second time at the weekend, after five years with Lancashire, and he said Farbrace’s “recent international experience” was of particular value. As well as the visit of Sri Lanka, about whom Farbrace knows plenty, India will tour England during the summer. The first fixture for the new regime will come against Scotland in Abderdeen on May 9.”It’s fantastic to be given the opportunity to work with your own country’s national team and this was an offer that I could not turn down – much as I have enjoyed working with the Sri Lankan players and sharing in their recent success,” Farbrace said.”I am particularly relishing the chance to work more closely with Peter as we undertook the Level Four Coaching programme together and have known each other since we were both young wicketkeepers on the county circuit together. It will also be great to renew acquaintances with Alastair Cook and other senior players whom I worked with earlier in my coaching career with England’s age-group teams.”In addition to two stints with Sri Lanka, the first as Trevor Bayliss’ assistant, Farbrace has coached with Yorkshire and Kent, as well as England women and England U-19s. Paul Downton, England’s managing director who led the recruitment process, said Farbrace had enjoyed “unprecedented success” with Sri Lanka. Having resigned during his six-month probationary period, he is able to start in the England job straight away.”I am really excited about the way the England management structure is taking shape and I know that Paul and Peter Moores are looking forward to working closely together,” Downton said. “I would like to echo David Collier’s thanks to SLC for reaching an agreement which allowed Paul to join us.”

England batsman Alex Hales will join his third BBL team after signing with the Hobart Hurricanes for the 2014-15 season

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Jun-2014England batsman Alex Hales will join his third BBL team after signing with the Hobart Hurricanes for the 2014-15 season.Hales played for the Melbourne Renegades in 2012-13 and the Adelaide Strikers last summer, when he scored 175 runs at 21.87 in eight matches.Hales is currently ranked third on the ICC’s rankings list for T20 international batsmen and has made 1022 runs at 37.85 for England.”Alex is a fantastic addition to our squad for this season and our members and supporters will no doubt be thrilled to see him put on the purple,” Hurricanes coach Damien Wright said.

Derbyshire have once again proved that the smaller counties can achieve a solid financial footing by recording a profit for the seventh time in eight seasons despite relegation from Division One of the County Championship

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Mar-2014Derbyshire have once again proved that the smaller counties can achieve a solid financial footing by recording a profit for the seventh time in eight seasons despite relegation from Division One of the County Championship.The club only made £3,395 in 2013 but that came with the background of an additional playing budget of £200,000 in a failed attempt to retain their First Division status.That left the chief executive Simon Storey presenting the season as a financial success. “We took the decision ahead of the 2013 season to increase our cricket budget by upwards of £200k as a step towards our ultimate ambition for sustainable success on the field,” he said. “The challenge to service that increase with a combination of incremental income and cost control was significant.”Ticketing and membership income soared by 87.6 per cent in the first year of the Proud to be Derbyshire campaign which capitalised on the opportunities provided by promotion to Division One. There was given good news at Chesterfield, with the best-attended festival since Derbyshire returned to Queen’s Park eight years ago.

India’s spinners have been among the standout performers of the World T20 and what has worked for them is that they have varied their speeds, R Ashwin said

Abhishek Purohit in Dhaka29-Mar-20144:05

‘Why should I lag behind in the advantage’ – Ashwin

‘I wouldn’t want to swim in a tsunami’

R Ashwin on similarities between this campaign and the 2013 Champions Trophy: “There are lots (of similarities) but there are smaller things which obviously nobody hears of. We’re enjoying ourselves. For once we’re not looking at results. We’re not looking at what we need to achieve. If we’re lucky enough we’ll be here until the 6th (of April). The camp is pretty upbeat in terms of having some good football. You keep playing cricket all your life, so playing soccer gives you leisure time. Those are the things we’re associating with. We’re having a real good atmosphere in the dressing room as well.”
On whether India would bat against Australia to challenge themselves: “I wouldn’t want to swim in a tsunami. I wouldn’t want to challenge conditions. If we win the toss, we’ll again bowl first if that is what is required. You’ll be fighting against a wall if you’re fighting against conditions.”
On whether India would test its bench: “Not so sure about that because it’s pretty much like how we played the Champions Trophy. We take one game at a time. What suits us to win that particular game will be what we’ll look to do.”
On the role spin will play: “It’s not just about spin; it’s about conditions as well. It’s what’s going around in global cricket. Everybody is playing to their strengths and not really prepared to test the other waters. They come here and if you’re looking at playing more spinners, that’s probably the way forward.”
On the threat Glenn Maxwell poses: “They’re a side any team will be threatened by. They have some quality batters and really quick bowlers. Maxwell has been playing some awesome cricket, in real honesty. I heard a few words, that he’s a free spirit. He just comes and keeps banging, you don’t know what happens. When somebody is in such form, you have to take your hat off and say he’s done pretty well.”

India’s spinners have been among the standout performers of the World T20, helping their side become the first to make the semi-finals by setting up three successive victories over Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh. While Amit Mishra has dismissed most batsmen for his team, R Ashwin has been harder to score off, his three wickets coming at an economy-rate of 5.16.Not too long ago, Ashwin had a return of two wickets in nine matches in South Africa and New Zealand. Back in more helpful conditions in the subcontinent, he had a good Asia Cup during which he took nine wickets from four games at an economy-rate of 4.21.After the semi-final spot was sealed with the win over Bangladesh, MS Dhoni said India’s spinners had prospered in conditions which had given them some purchase. There has been decent turn and some bounce, but it is not that they have just had to pitch the ball and let the surface do the rest. While the dew has not been as copious as it has been in Chittagong, it has been a factor, Ashwin said. What has worked for the Indians is that they have varied their speeds, according to the offspinner.”It’s a bit of variation in pace more than anything else,” Ashwin said. “That’s what I’ve been looking to do – vary the length and vary the pace. You slow it down, you can get a bit of purchase. There were a few occasions when I slowed it down and the ball actually spun the other way (against Bangladesh). So I don’t know what it is. The wicket is quite slow. You can’t say it’s been gripping. Obviously a leggie bowling over the top and slowing it down will give some revs on any wicket. That is one advantage but if you’re prepared to slow it down and take pace off the ball, you’re in with a chance here.In death over, you have to be prepared to swallow your ego, says R Ashwin•AFP”There’s been a conscious effort to vary the pace, not just slow it down. I’ve been bowling at different paces – 100kmph to 80 to 75. That’s what I’ve been looking at, and trying to use the crease much more – whatever cues I took from the Asia Cup.”Tossing it up slowly and tempting batsmen has worked wonders for Mishra in the tournament , making him one of India’s “potent forces”, Ashwin said. “As a combination, every bowling unit benefits from each other’s success and bowling strengths. Amit has been one of our potent forces in this tournament. We’ve been using him in all the situations where they actually have to go for it. He doesn’t give you a lot of pace so when the batsmen are going after him, it’s a big chance. Because he’s going to slow it down even more.”Ashwin himself has often been used by Dhoni at the start as well as the closing stages of an innings, both times where batsmen are looking to get after bowlers. When asked how his approach changed on both occasions, Ashwin said that at the death, a bowler needed to “swallow his ego” so that he could restrict the batsmen.”When you’re starting off, you look to bowl as many good balls as possible in the areas you want. The disadvantage with that is that a good ball can be hit for four with less amount of risk because of the fielders not being on the fence. Whereas in the death, you have to be – this is my take on it, not that this is how it has to be – swallowing your ego and trying to make sure you’re not giving runs away. Because there are people around who want to pick wickets at that time. For me, it’s about swallowing your ego and making sure you’ve done the situation bit pretty well.”At the start of the Bangladesh innings, Ashwin did toss it up liberally, and picked up two wickets in two balls, his return of 4-0-15-2 making him the Man of the Match. Ashwin said such recognition did increase a bowler’s confidence, the same way it did for a batsman. “For a batter who has not got runs for five-six games to actually get runs and get a man-of-the-match award – it’s going to really boost his confidence. It’s the same for a bowler. Unless you appraise the bowler with something like that you’ll never find good bowlers coming through. That is one thing I really believe in. As much as a batsman is important, a bowler’s confidence is also important. In that regard, yes, it’s a big boost. But I’ve been living with it for the last three-four years, so I’m used to it right now.”

A round-up of the fourth day’s play of the eighth-round Group B games of the Ranji Trophy 2013-14

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Dec-2013
ScorecardFile photo: Suresh Raina scored 82, but will wonder if he waited too long before declaring UP’s innings•Associated PressAllrounder Karn Sharma’s maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket helped Railways beat Services by 37 runs in Delhi and secure his team’s place in the knockout stages.Railways had conceded a 46-run lead to Services in the first innings, but their captain, Murali Kartik, timed the declaration to perfection, despite Mahesh Rawat being eight runs away from his century. They set Services a target of 236 in two and a half sessions, and picked up the last wicket in the nick of time to rise to the top of the Group B table.Services’ chase was hampered by wickets at regular intervals from Karn, who finished with 5 for 50. Pratik Desai was the only batsman who offered some resistance, scoring 100, and no one else else made more than 29. Services eventually folded for 200 inside 77 overs.The loss means that Services will need to win their last league match against Saurashtra to avoid relegation to Group C.
ScorecardThe loss of the second day’s play due to fog might come back to haunt Uttar Pradesh, who were left three wickets short of beating Madhya Pradesh in Kanpur. UP moved to 23 points courtesy their first-innings lead, but that tally didn’t quite seal a quarterfinal berth.UP will need to beat Railways or get the lead in their final group match to be safe. If they lose, they will have to hope that the Tamil Nadu-Bengal game is drawn. If not, they will need Baroda to take no more than one point against Rajasthan.MP were 85 for 6 when Imtiaz Ahmed bowled Anand Bais. Victory looked imminent but Shubham Sharma and Salman Baig frustrated them for 14 overs during a seventh-wicket partnership of 21. Piyush Chawla finally bowled Shubham for a 48-ball 5, but MP were by no means done, as Baig and Anurag Singh put on an unbroken 34 for the eighth wicket and saw out the last 17.5 overs of the day.UP will also reflect on the timing of their declaration. They batted for 28.2 overs in the morning, and finished at 178 for 5 to set MP a target of 314. MP came nowhere near that, and finished at 140 for seven.
ScorecardTamil Nadu and Rajasthan played out a draw in Chennai – a result that did no favours to either team. Both now need to win their final games and hope for other results to go their way to stand any chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals.Rajasthan batted out nearly 47 overs on the final day, with fifties from Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Ashok Menaria and Rajesh Bishnoi propelling the team to 438 and securing a first-innings lead of 120. Rahil Shah and Malolan Rangarajan picked up three wickets apiece for Tamil Nadu.With the game already all but drawn, Tamil Nadu’s openers Baba Aparajith and Arun Karthik added 76 from 28 overs.

Group B table

Railways 7 3 0 0 4 0 27 1.157 2685/93 2496/100 Uttar Pradesh 7 2 1 0 4 0 23 1.177 3143/95 2924/104 Baroda 7 3 3 0 0 1 20 1.045 2528/108 2127/95 Tamil Nadu 7 1 0 0 6 0 18 1.170 3055/73 2790/78 Bengal 7 1 0 0 5 1 18 1.040 2600/81 2501/81 Saurashtra 7 1 1 0 5 0 16 1.262 3453/77 3446/97 Rajasthan 7 1 2 0 4 0 14 0.884 2991/104 3124/96 Madhya Pradesh 8 0 2 0 6 0 12 0.895 3602/113 3812/107 Services 7 0 3 0 4 0 6 0.645 2468/103 3305/89

The National Cricket League will enter a new era from the 2015-16 season when promotion and relegation will be introduced in Bangladesh’s biggest domestic first-class competition, the BCB has announced

Mohammad Isam29-Dec-2014The National Cricket League will enter a new era from the 2015-16 season when promotion and relegation will be introduced in Bangladesh’s biggest domestic first-class competition, the BCB has announced.The top four divisional sides from this year’s competition will play in the first tier while the bottom four will take part in the second tier from next season. One team from each tier will gain promotion and relegation. Since its inception in 1999, there was no promotion or relegation in the NCL.”The reason behind the change of format is to make the league more competitive and attractive,” AJM Nasir Uddin, the BCB vice-president, said. “The prize money will be higher from next year too. First-tier champions will get Tk 20 lakh (approx. $25,600) while second-tier champions will get Tk 5 lakh. It will be played under home-and-away method, though this year it will be single league.”The decisions were made at the BCB’s tournament committee meeting on Monday, also attended by the general secretaries of all the divisional sides. It was also decided that this season’s matches will be held in Mirpur, Fatullah, Chittagong, Bogra, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Rangpur.Nasir also informed that the 30-member preliminary squads of each divisional side will be picked based on previous season’s performance. “The national selectors will cut the squads to 18 players after discussions with the divisional sports associations. The players who will be cut from one preliminary squad can be picked by another division.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the third ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando21-Dec-2013Match factsSunday, December 22
Start time 1500 (1100 GMT)Junaid Khan continues to impress for Pakistan•AFPBig PictureTwo matches into the series, there is little to pick between the sides. As clashes between these two often go, the cricket has been as entertaining as it has been tense. Both innings in the last match ebbed, flowed, stagnated and resurged. In the end, Angelo Mathews’ mettle was the difference.Two largely new trends have also emerged. Pakistan have been adept at constructing one-day innings. Since the new rules only allowing four men outside the 30-yard circle was introduced last year, teams have increasingly adopted circumspection early on, confident that boundaries would flow later on. Neither Pakistan nor Sri Lanka had been quick to embrace this strategy but, in this series so far, there have been extended periods when they have not pursued big shots.Given Pakistan have produced two centurions already and have put up commanding totals as a result, the shift in approach appears a fruitful one, for now.Sri Lanka have also discovered that they now bat deeper than they probably ever have in ODIs. Seekkuge Prasanna’s reintroduction has added dynamism to the lower-order batting and provided another potential pinch-hitter. Nuwan Kulasekara’s batting has also blossomed over the last 18 months, to the extent that he his nearing allrounder territory. And Sachithra Senanayake’s touch and temperament have been telling. Given even No. 11 Lasith Malinga has an ODI fifty, the seniors at the top of the order have had their burden eased.Again it was the bowling that let each captain down in the second match. Pakistan caught a huge break when they ran both Sri Lanka’s opening batsmen out but their spinners could not consolidate that position as well as Misbah-ul-Haq might have hoped. If it wasn’t for Junaid Khan’s intensity through the middle overs, Sri Lanka would have chased the biggest total ever at the stadium with ease.Sri Lanka were perhaps even more toothless with the ball. There was not much turn off the surface, but even their top spin bowler, Senanayake, bowled most of his overs around the wicket – which turned out to be a decent way to keep the boundaries down, but did not create chances. Given it is a discipline that both teams pride themselves on in ODIs, coaches and team management will search for quick solutions before their attacks deteriorate further.Form guide (last five completed matches, most recent first)

Pakistan: LWLWW


Sri Lanka: WLWLW
In the spotlightGiven Nuwan Kulasekara’s contributions to Friday’s victory, the decision to drop him for the Sharjah ODI seems even more boneheaded. For the past year he has been more valuable to the team than Lasith Malinga. Not only is he more consistent, he is secure in the field (two World Cup finals drops aside), and one of the cleanest hitters in the team once he gets his eye in. He was far from his accurate best in the opening overs of the last match but the inswing he induced prompted caution from the opposition and he was decent towards the death as well. He will hope team management does not lapse into flawed logic again, as the action returns to Sharjah.Forget Pakistan, Junaid Khan is one of the finest fast-bowling talents anywhere. At a time when ODI totals are increasing and bowlers are having their figures drummed into the dirt, Junaid averages 22.93 after 39 matches – a far superior average to Dale Steyn, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, for instance. He bowled a series of cracking balls in an already terrific spell to waylay Sri Lanka’s middle order on Friday, but the men around him in the attack could not provide adequate support. If he can maintain his rhythm for the remainder of the series and into the Tests, he will improve his already burgeoning reputation.Pitch and conditionsSri Lanka have been fearful of bowling second so far in the series, because they have expected dew to form. While it did hamper them in the Twenty20s, it has not so far been a major issue in the ODIs.Team newsSohail Tanvir has been mediocre in the last two matches, and Pakistan may consider bringing in Anwar Ali as a replacement. They are almost certain to leave the firing top order untouched.Pakistan (probable): 1 Ahmed Shehzad, 2 Sharjeel Khan, 3 Mohammad Hafeez, 4 Sohaib Maqsood, 5 Misbah ul Haq (capt), 6 Umar Akmal (wk), 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Bilawal Bhatti, 9 Sohail Tanvir/Anwar Ali, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Junaid KhanLahiru Thirimanne’s sprained right ankle will definitely rule him out of Sunday’s match, but Thisara Perera and Mathews have recovered sufficiently from the niggles that ailed them. Dimuth Karunaratne could again take Thirimanne’s spot, but there are two other youngsters – Ashan Priyanjan and Kithuruwan Vithanage, who may also be in the reckoning.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Kusal Perera 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Dinesh Chandimal, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Dimuth Karunaratne/Ashan Priyanjan/Kithuruwan Vithanage, 7 Thisara Perera 8 Seekkuge Prasanna, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Sachithra Senanayake, 11 Lasith MalingaStats and triviaKulasekara has eight more wickets than Malinga this year, at an average of 25.33 to Malinga’s 30.02. Kulasekara’s economy rate is also significantly better at 4.64 to Malinga’s 5.34. Junaid has taken three wickets in each of his last four limited-overs internationals – three ODIs and a Twenty20.Quotes”It was good to see our top order getting big scores – that has been much needed for our team. It’s normally the biggest problem for us, but I’m really happy with the way it’s been going.”

“Against Pakistan, the game is never over – you have to fight till the last ball is bowled, and we did that. With the bowling attack that Pakistan have, we have to fight all the time and we have to stay positive. We can’t give the chance, because they will knock us down.”