Though tours of Zimbabwe are potential banana skins for fringe players, Dhananjaya de Silva and Asela Gunaratne have put in clutch performances and made themselves hard to ignore

Tristan Holme in Harare07-Nov-2016Over the past few years, visitors to Zimbabwe have faced an unwelcome prospect: little to gain, everything to lose.The decreasing value of a tour of Zimbabwe can be seen in its most consistent marker. As India visited in three of the last four years, the teams they selected became ever weaker. In 2013, five first-XI players were rested. This year, as many as 17 players who were in India’s previous limited-overs squads were left at home.Sri Lanka’s situation on this tour is slightly different in that the five first-choice players back home were all injured, and so this is the strongest possible side. Yet, the players coming in still faced the prospect of gaining little at best, and, at worst, kissing goodbye to future selections at the highest level. The way they have gone about their business has not suggested that this has been weighing on their minds.The first Test brought a maiden century for Kusal Perera, and a first Test hundred in a decade for Upul Tharanga. But with Zimbabwe dropping six catches as they felt their way back into top-flight cricket, and both batsmen benefiting from the foundation laid by Sri Lanka’s openers, neither century was one to seal debates on their long-term future.The situation was different when Dhananjaya de Silva walked to the crease on the first day of the second Test. Sri Lanka were 112 for 4, and under pressure for the first time in the series. “I think we dropped our guard a little bit yesterday morning and we found ourselves in a spot of bother,” Graham Ford, Sri Lanka’s coach, said after day two. “Some of our batters came in under pressure, and it was pleasing to see the composure in the way they absorbed the pressure that we needed them to.”Zimbabwe had enjoyed a little bit of luck in taking three wickets prior to lunch. It wasn’t necessarily luck that they deserved, but after the first Test, it could be argued that it was luck they were due. When they came out after lunch, the hosts seemed to have acknowledged that and decided to make the most of it. Bowlers who were so errant in the first session ramped up the pressure on de Silva and Tharanga, with the first 18 overs of the session yielding just 44 runs. “We started off badly in the first session, but I think we pulled it back quite nicely as the day wore on,” Hamilton Masakadza said.De Silva looked the perfect batsman for the circumstances. Although the pitch had even bounce, it remained on the slow side. Zimbabwe were playing the waiting game – a game that flashier batsmen than de Silva might well have lost. Instead, he remained compact, his neat technique never allowing him to get ahead of himself. Crucially on this surface, his range of strokes made it difficult for Zimbabwe to bowl in one place and block him up. By the end of the first day, he had an unbeaten hundred, having feasted on the spinners during the evening session. A Cricviz analysis showed the balance in his strokeplay: 51 runs off the front foot, 49 off the back foot; 51 on the off side, 49 on the leg side.”He’s known as the Ice Man in our dressing room because he showed such composure and handled real pressure against Australia – they were one of the best attacks in world cricket and he showed that he was up for Test match cricket,” Ford said. “There’s that side to it, but he also seems to have a lot of time. We saw he plays the short ball pretty well – he can dispatch it – and has good technique. There are lots of positives there when you add all of that together, so he’s a real find for Sri Lankan cricket.”While de Silva looks to have set up his stall for the foreseeable future, adding depth to a batting department that is coming to terms with the retirement of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, Asela Gunaratne’s case may be slightly different. Already 30 years old, Gunaratne is classified as an allrounder, but his bowling is never likely to be used on more than a part-time basis in Test cricket. As Sri Lanka toiled for 10 wickets on the last day of the first Test, Herath never once tossed him the ball.But 186 runs in three innings for two dismissals is difficult to argue with. In the first Test, Sri Lanka were 351 for 5 when Gunaratne came to the crease. In the second Test, the score was 255 for 5. With Gunaratne marshalling the tail, they have added 435 runs for the last five wickets over the course of two first innings. Angelo Mathews will walk back into the Test side when Sri Lanka head to South Africa next month, but it will be difficult to keep Gunaratne off the plane.”It’s good to see the form that the batsmen have shown,” Ford said. “Before the series, we knew that some of the fringe players had some talent but hadn’t seen much opportunity. Now, they’ve put their hands up and scored runs, so to see some depth in our batting department is really encouraging and important.”On the ‘little to gain’ dilemma, he added: “The batsmen can only do what they can do, which is go out and score runs. If the wicket is flat, there’s nothing they can do about it.”Sri Lanka’s greatest challenge may yet come over the final three days of this match, as they face an improving Zimbabwe side on another flat pitch. Ford believes it will take some turn, but with fewer favours from Zimbabwe’s batsmen – and the umpires, now that DRS is in place – a lot of hard work lies ahead. So far, Sri Lanka’s batsmen have ticked all the boxes. Now, it’s over to the bowlers.

A game high on entertainment ended with 35,000 boisterous fans celebrating Chennai Super Kings’ and MS Dhoni’s grand homecoming in style.Despite piling up 217, the highest score of the season so far, the Super Kings had threatened to get outmuscled at one stage. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway had helped Super Kings set a new record for the highest powerplay score at the MA Chidambaram Stadium – 79 for no loss – only for Lucknow Super Giants to better that score by one run.But Kyle Mayers, who had been responsible for that blazing start, fell in the sixth over to Moeen Ali, Dhoni’s trademark ‘spin it to win it’ mantra took over on a surface where dew – which Super Giants captain KL Rahul had believed would play a part in the chase – hardly had an effect.The spin duo of Moeen and Mitchell Santner ended up with magical combined figures of 5 for 47 off eight overs to turn the game around. Moeen, who hadn’t been called upon to bowl in Super Kings’ tournament opener, finished with 4 for 26, with Rahul, Mayers and Marcus Stoinis among his victims.The Moeen effect covered up for a nightmarish start for the seamers, most notably for Deepak Chahar and Impact Player Tushar Deshpande, who conceded 55 in four wicketless overs between them inside the first 10 overs.But Deshpande redeemed himself with the key wicket of Nicholas Pooran, who threatened to pull off a coup, with Super Giants needing 62 off 25 balls. That, right there, was the game, which Super Kings closed out to eventually win by 12 runs.Ruturaj Gaikwad brought up his second successive half-century•BCCI

Gaikwad tees off, Conway follows

Gaikwad began the season with a 50-ball 92 in Ahmedabad, and his follow-up was an equally blistering knock high on aesthetic value. This half-century came off 25 balls, as Gaikwad announced himself in his very first outing at Chepauk.The highlight was the three sixes he hit in K Gowtham’s first over, the fifth of the innings. This included a straight hit off the backfoot and an inside-out six over extra cover.Conway wasn’t far behind. He began with crunching off-drives off Avesh Khan and Mark Wood to get into full rhythm, and then unleashed a ferocious slog-sweep off Krunal Pandya. The pair brought up a century opening stand in eight overs with that hit.

Bishnoi makes a grand entry

Ravi Bishnoi had Super Giants heaving a sigh of relief when he struck with his first delivery in the 10th over. Gaikwad was deceived in the air and off the pitch as his slog landed in a backpedalling short third’s hand. One brought two when Wood had Conway with a short ball that he miscued to deep square, where Krunal Pandya’s athleticism made the catch possible.Super Kings promoted Shivam Dube to No. 3, ahead of Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes, and he pottered to 5 off 10 before picking up the scoring. He hit Bishnoi for back-to-back sixes in the 14th over, before falling in the same over to a wrong’un while attempting a slog to the short leg-side boundary. Bishnoi would complete a key spell by picking up Moeen in his next over to finish with 3 for 28 off his four overs.

The Dhoni finish

Only twice in his 15-year IPL career has Dhoni hit the first ball of his innings for six; Super Giants have borne the brunt both times. Having come in with six balls left, he slashed Wood over third man for his first six. Then, in a shot somewhat reminiscent of Sachin Tendulkar’s pull off Andrew Caddick at Durban at the 2003 World Cup, he got into position and swatted a pull that sailed over deep square leg. He now had the crowd expecting another, but that wasn’t to be. When he sliced a catch to deep point, the party was over, but he had helped Super Kings blast their way to 217 for 7.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Moeen slices through LSG after Mayers’ blast

Mayers has a touch of Chris Gayle to him. His reach, his ability to pick lengths early and swing through the line brought him massive returns as he went after Super Kings’ erratic pacers. Chahar found no swing and Deshpande struggled for accuracy. Super Giants rushed to 73 for 0 in the first five overs. But Super Kings stormed back with three quick wickets from overs six to eight.Mayers, who brought up a 21-ball half-century, and Rahul holed out to deep midwicket, while Deepak Hooda heaved one to long-on. Moeen and Santner were right in the game and Dhoni was able to exercise the kind of control he loves. Krunal Pandya and Marcus Stoinis continued to attack, but the enormity of the task at hand meant they had to keep taking their chances which eventually led to their downfall.

Deshpande redeems himself

A left-arm spinner to a left-hander is a match-up not quite up Dhoni’s alley. But because the pacers had all proved expensive, and Moeen and Santner had bowled out, Dhoni had no option but to go to Ravindra Jadeja in the 15th over. It didn’t help that Pooran was in sensational form.After flat-batting Jadeja for a six over extra-cover, he followed up by reverse-sweeping a dart for a 97-metre six over the point boundary. It brought Super Giants’ equation down to 68 off 30. Deshpande, who was then brought on for his second over, delivered a telling blow, getting Pooran caught at long-off in an over that went for just six runs.That, right there, was the game for the Super Kings.

MatériaMais Notícias

da roleta： Conhecido pela forte personalidade à beira do campo, as reclamações constantes de Mano Menezes com a equipe de arbitragem lhe renderam mais uma suspensão no Campeonato Brasileiro.

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da bet sport： Por conta do terceiro amarelo recebido diante do Botafogo, ele não vai dirigir o time no domingo, quando o Internacional mede forças com o Coritiba, no Couto Pereira.

Esta será a terceira vez que Mano Menezes deixa o seu time na mão. Com isso, Sidnei Lobo, auxiliar do treinador, vai comandar a equipe no fim de semana.

Desde a sua chegada ao Internacional, o técnico já levou seis amarelos e um cartão vermelho, o que lhe coloca como um dos mais indisciplinados do Brasileirão.

RETROSPECTO
​
Apesar da ausência de Mano Menezes, o Inter costuma ir bem quando o técnico não está no banco de reservas. Nos dois jogos anteriores, o Colorado venceu o Atlético-MG por 3 a 0 e Juventude por 4 a 0.

Plus: the father and son who carried their bats, and the most stumpings in internationals

Steven Lynch02-Feb-2016AB de Villiers bagged a pair in the final Test against England – but South Africa still won. How many times has a captain got a pair but won anyway? asked Edward Howard from England

Against England in Centurion, AB de Villiers became only the 21st man to bag a pair in a Test match in which he was captain, the second from South Africa after Louis Tancred against England at The Oval in 1912. There have been four instances by Australia and West Indies captains, three by Pakistan, two by England, New Zealand and India, and one by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Of those, de Villiers was only the fourth to end up on the winning side, after Joe Darling (Australia v England in Sheffield in 1902), Nasser Hussain (England v West Indies at The Oval in 2000) and Marvan Atapattu (Sri Lanka v Pakistan in Faisalabad in 2004-05).Who scored two Test centuries, completing both of them with the No. 11 at the other end? asked Marcus Porter from England

This cool-headed batsman was Peter Willey, who made two hundreds in his 26 Tests for England between 1976 and 1986. Both centuries came against West Indies, the champion team of the time. The first came at The Oval in 1980: Willey had only 24 when last man Bob Willis joined him at the crease at 92 for 9, but they more than doubled the score in adding 117 – and Ian Botham delayed his declaration until Willey reached 100, from 203 balls in nearly four hours. Eight months later, in the first Test ever played in Antigua, Willey had 69 when No. 11 Graham Dilley came in. Dilley made only 2, but survived for more than an hour, in which time Willey moved to 102 not out, his highest Test score.Does Mahendra Singh Dhoni now hold the record for the most stumpings in international cricket? asked Melissa Gomes from Denmark

When MS Dhoni stumped James Faulkner in the second T20 against Australia in Melbourne last week, it was his 140th such dismissal in all internationals (38 in Tests, 89 in ODIs and 13 in T20Is). That put him one in front of Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara: Dhoni had equalled the old record with his 139th stumping, Glenn Maxwell, earlier in that same innings in Melbourne. Another Sri Lankan, Romesh Kaluwitharana, is the only other wicketkeeper with more than 100 international stumpings – he made 101. Moin Khan is next with 93, while Adam Gilchrist had 92.Mudassar Nazar followed his father in carrying his bat for a century in a Test for Pakistan•PA PhotosThere are only two instances of a team total exceeding 1000 runs in a first-class match. Is it true that Don Bradman figured in both those innings? asked Alex Nweke from Zimbabwe

The two four-figure totals in first-class cricket were both amassed by Victoria in the 1920s: they made 1059 against Tasmania in Melbourne in 1922-23, then trumped that with 1107 against New South Wales at the MCG in 1926-27.
Don Bradman didn’t actually play in either match – he didn’t make his debut for New South Wales until 1927-28 – but one man did: Bill Ponsford made 429 for Victoria in the first game, the record first-class score at the time, and added 352 in the second one. The prolific Ponsford improved his record to 437 against Queensland in Melbourne in 1927-28. That stood as the highest first-class score for two seasons, until Bradman punished the long-suffering Queenslanders for 452 not out for NSW in Sydney in 1929-30.Is Ashish Nehra the oldest Indian player to figure in a T20 international? asked Sunit Kumar from the UAE

Ashish Nehra was 36 years 267 days old when he played against Australia in Sydney last weekend – which makes him the second-oldest Indian to appear in a T20I. Nehra will have to keep going for another couple of years to take the record, which is currently held by Rahul Dravid. He was 38 years 232 days old when he made his one and only appearance in a T20I – having already announced his retirement from the format – against England at Old Trafford in 2011. Dravid is only 16th on the overall list, which is headed by the UAE’s 43-year-old captain Mohammad Tauqir, against Netherlands in Edinburgh in 2015.Is there any case of a father and son carrying their bat in Tests? asked David Ferrier from Norway

There’s only one instance of this. Playing in what was only Pakistan’s second official Test match, against India in Lucknow in 1952-53, Nazar Mohammad scored an undefeated 124 of the total of 331, to set up a decisive lead: Pakistan, who had lost the first Test badly, went on to the victory that levelled their inaugural series. Just over 30 years later, his son Mudassar Nazar carried his bat for 152 in Pakistan’s innings of 323 against India in Lahore in 1982-83.Send in your questions using our feedback form.

Manchester City have certainly meant business during the current January transfer window, making three signings over the last few weeks.

Pep Guardiola may be going through the worst run of form during his 16-year managerial career, but it looks as though he is planning ahead for the future with regard to his new arrivals.

While the Premier League title may be out of reach this term, the Spaniard signed a new two-year extension late last year, signalling his intent to get the club back to where they belong.

There is just over a week left of the transfer window, but will City make another signing in that time?

It is no coincidence that City’s form has dropped off a cliff since Rodri suffered his season ending injury back in September. Will the club seek to sign a player who could turn out be to a younger version of the Spanish gem?

Manchester City's search for a midfielder

So far, Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov have all arrived in Manchester this month, bolstering Guardiola’s attacking and defensive options.

Transfer Focus

Two areas that needed some reinforcements have now been strengthened. Will City’s midfield be next?

According to reports in Spain, City are showing interest in midfielder Mikel Jauregizar, who plays for Athletic Bilbao.

Having scoured the transfer markets for midfield candidates, it appears as though Guardiola has found his man and is prepared to launch an opening bid of €25m (£21m) to secure his signature.

The report does on to say that any deal will likely take place in the summer, but having a plan in place will see another young talent arrive at the Etihad.

Douglas Luiz has also been targeted by City as a potential signing, but Juventus don’t want to sell which means any move would only be temporary between now and the end of the season.

Jauregizar has all the qualities in his armoury to become Rodri 2.0 for Guardiola in Manchester, that’s for sure.

Rodri’s Manchester City statistics

In the summer of 2019, having just won their second Premier League title in a row, City broke their club record by spending £62.8m to sign Rodri from Atlético Madrid.

“Rodri has proven himself as a hugely talented, young midfielder,” said director of football Txiki Begiristain. “He has as all the attributes we are looking for.”

The midfielder has since proved to be one of Guardiola’s finest signings of his career.

Across his first three seasons, Rodri missed just 12 Premier League matches, but the 2022/23 campaign saw the midfielder establish himself as one of the best in the world.

The Etihad side won the treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League that term, but Rodri conducted the orchestra.

Across the league campaign, the Spaniard averaged a 91% pass success rate, while creating nine big chances, making 1.9 tackles and winning an impressive 59% of his total duels per match.

If this season proved Rodri belonged among the best players in the world, his 2023/24 displays proved he wasn’t a one-season wonder.

He helped his club win another league title, before starring for Spain at Euro 2024, as his nation won every game to win their fourth continental crown.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2023/24

50

9

14

2022/23

56

4

7

2021/22

46

7

2

2020/21

53

2

5

2019/20

52

4

2

The 28-year-old subsequently won the Ballon d’Or for playing a key role in the success of his club and country.

His injury this season has hampered the club’s chances of winning five league titles in a row. By signing Jauregizar – whether in the summer or this month – the Manchester side could be bringing an ideal long-term heir to Rodri. That’s a certainty.

Why Mikel Jauregizar could be Rodri 2.0

Like Rodri, Jauregizar emerged from a Spanish side’s youth system as a talented young midfielder with plenty to prove.

The 21-year-old made his senior debut for Bilbao last season, having featured 23 times for the youth team. He showed vast potential to succeed in the club’s top flight.

This season, the youngster has missed just three La Liga matches. During his time on the pitch, he averages 2.1 tackles per game, along with losing possession just 7.5 times per game while winning 50% of his ground duels.

The Spaniard is certainly raw, but his potential is vast, and there is no reason why he can’t be a success in the Premier League.

When compared to his positional peers in La Liga, the Bilbao starlet ranks in the top 3% for tackles (3.1) per 90, the top 21% for ball recoveries (5.67) per 90 and in the top 15% for goal-creating actions (0.44) per 90, proving he is effective whether or not his team have the ball.

Moving to City could be the ideal place for Jauregizar to develop, especially considering he can learn from Rodri, which would allow him to become a better player.

Amid the links to the player, writer David Walker praised the youngster, saying: “Athletic Bilbao’s young talent Mikel Jauregizar has also been mentioned as a possibility. City are very active in the transfer market this month – which is great – but the key position, that of DM. and future cover for Rodri, is the one glaring omission thus far.”

Unfortunately, as much as the City faithful would like him to stay, Rodri won’t be around forever. This means signing a player who could develop into his heir will be Guardiola’s next major priority.

If he can strike a deal to sign the current Bilbao star, especially for a measly £21m, then it could be a wise move in the transfer market.

City may not be at the level that has been demonstrated over the previous few years, but with the club’s business in the transfer market recently, they could return to their former glories next season.

Adding Jauregizar to his ranks, Guardiola will be set on returning City to the summit of English football.

Man City have hit gold on "huge talent" who is worth way more than Marmoush

Man City have hit the jackpot on a certain player who is bouncing back into form.

1 ByRoss Kilvington Jan 25, 2025

Todd Boehly has certainly backed up his ambitions since taking over Chelsea in May 2022, signing players left, right and centre for the first-team and academy teams.

The American has dropped over £1.2bn on new additions in his near three-year spell in West London, providing Enzo Maresca with all the ammunition needed to be a success in the Premier League.

Undoubtedly, such erratic dealings have seen former managers struggle, but the Italian has walked into life at Stamford Bridge with ease, ultimately creating a settled side for league and cup.

Such a layout won’t favour every player, with numerous having to settle for either minutes off the bench or, at worst, struggling to gain any first-team action at all given the huge number of players currently on the books.

One player has fallen into such a category, with the Blues star almost certain for a move away from the Bridge this month, leading to interest from one European outfit.

Chelsea star wanted by Bundesliga giants

According to Sky Germany journalist Patrick Berger, Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is a target for Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund this month, with a potential loan with an option to buy mooted.

The 21-year-old joined the Blues from Aston Villa back in 2022 for a reported £20m, but his time in the capital has been limited to say the least, finding himself on the fringes of the first team squad as a result.

He’s only featured for a combined 131 minutes in all competitions during 2024/25, starting just one game in the Europa Conference League – with Chukwuemeka pushing for a move come the end of January.

Berger claimed that Dortmund boss Nuri Şahin is a “big fan” of the Englishman, following in the footsteps of Ian Maatsen, who joined the German side on loan this time last year.

However, should the £100k-per-week earner move permanently to Signal Iduna Park, it may be a huge mistake on the part of Maresca to allow him to leave, potentially replicating the mistake made in allowing a former talent to depart and move to Germany.

Why Chukwuemeka could be a De Bruyne repeat for Chelsea

Attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne joined Chelsea way back in January 2012 for a reported £6.7m, before re-joining Belgian side Genk on loan for the remainder of the season.

He would subsequently spend the following campaign on loan at German outfit Werder Bremen, impressing during his temporary stint, registering ten goals and nine assists in just 34 appearances.

Such form catapulted him into the Blues first-team, but after just nine appearances in the first half of the 2013/14 season, he joined Wolfsburg on a permanent basis for around £16.7m – banking a £10m deal profit, but a decade on, the deal looks to be a huge mistake.

De Bruyne starred with increased game time, notching 20 goals and 35 assists – ultimately leading to a £54m transfer back to England to join Manchester City in 2015 – a move that has since allowed him to become one of Europe’s leading playmakers.

2015/16

41

16

13

2016/17

49

7

20

2017/18

52

12

21

2018/19

32

6

10

2019/20

48

16

22

2020/21

40

10

18

2021/22

45

19

14

2022/23

49

10

28

2023/24

26

6

17

2024/25

18

2

3

Total:

400

104

166

The now 33-year-old has since scored over 100 times and registered over 150 assists under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, helping the Citizens win five consecutive Premier League titles – something that could have happened to the Blues had they kept hold of the Belgian.

Fast-forward over a decade, Chelsea are faced with a similar prospect in the form of Chukwuemeka who, like De Bruyne, may well be heading to Germany after restricted game time at the Bridge.

The 21-year-old, who’s previously been dubbed a “superstar” talent by scout Jacek Kulig, has never really been given a lengthy run in the side, especially under Maresca, to prove what he’s capable of.

Undoubtedly, given his tender age, he’s in serious need of regular match action to reach the potential he arrived with upon his move, possibly making a loan deal a better option than a permanent one.

Should it be a permanent transfer, Dortmund would be getting themselves yet another top English prospect – potentially following in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham – with Chelsea’s loss undoubtedly their gain.

Dream Nkunku replacement: Chelsea make enquiry to sign £80m PL star

Maresca can finally axe Nkunku by acquiring a well-suited “maverick” for his Chelsea side

ByConnor Holden Jan 12, 2025