Arsenal are still potentially in the market to launch moves for both Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo this summer as they aim to bolster their midfield.

How much is Declan Rice worth?

Although Mikel Arteta and his men may have narrowly missed out on landing the Premier League title, it seems they are not looking to dwell on what could have been.

It was a mightily impressive 2022/23 campaign for the north London side until the final stages of the season where their grip on the title faded.

However, looking ahead to the summer, it seems as if Arsenal are looking to make some significant upgrades to their starting XI to launch another title charge for next season.

Indeed, the Gunners have been strongly linked with a potential move for West Ham United's captain with reports claiming they have their opening bid at the ready for the £100m-rated midfielder.

But it also seems as if the north London club could look to add more than just Rice to their midfield this summer with the Brighton & Hove Albion man also on their radar.

And speaking on TalkSPORT, insider Alex Crook has suggested this could be the case with Arsenal potentially launching what would be a huge double swoop this summer:

"Arsenal are still there. I wouldn't rule out Arsenal signing both Declan Rice and Caicedo because we know that Granit Xhaka is going to leave Arsenal. Midfield was an area where they looked a bit light at the end of the season anyway."

What is Arsenal's transfer budget?

According to reports, Arteta is set to be handed a £150m transfer kitty ahead of the summer window which would leave Arsenal seemingly needing to sell a number of players to fund a potential double swoop.

It has also been suggested that Brighton will be looking for a deal in the region of £80m for their Ecuadorian midfielder.

But there is the belief that Arsenal are already eyeing up a number of potential departures from the Emirates Stadium over the coming months.

Indeed, the likes of Jorginho and Granit Xhaka are two midfielders who could soon be packing their bags to join a new club over the summer.

Although that may provide Arsenal some much-needed funds if they are to pursue these two Premier League midfielders, it may not quite be enough.

Neither West Ham nor Brighton will feel pressured into allowing their star talents to depart for a cheaper fee to accommodate Arsenal's transfer budget.

This will potentially leave Arsenal with a decision to make as to whether they need to spend in the region of £180m on two midfielders or whether the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Ish Sodhi, who played three games, found dip, drift and turn to pick up nine wickets, including the second-best figures in the competition’s history, and the best since 2012

Will Macpherson in Sydney18-Jan-2017Ish Sodhi, the New Zealand legspinner, said his career-best 6 for 11 in T20s that knocked defending BBL champions Sydney Thunder out of contention has rejuvenated his love for the game.Sodhi who played three games for Adelaide Strikers found dip, drift and turn to pick up nine wickets, including the second-best figures in the competition’s history, and the best since 2012. He admitted, however, just a few weeks ago, he had “faced a few setbacks at home” and “wasn’t in the form I wanted to be in”.”The boys have rejuvenated my love for the game,” he said. “On the field and off it, just the conversations I had with guys like Brad Hodge. Today I got to meet one of my heroes growing up, Stuart McGill, and you can’t put a price on that. I will take some great experiences back home with me and hopefully I can impact some of my team-mates.”I had faced a few setbacks at home, and I wasn’t in the form I wanted to be in. I got it back in the T20s for New Zealand and I’m glad that I have transferred it to performances in the BBL. I don’t know if I’ll be back next year – it’s quite unfortunate that our seasons clash so heavily. I love it here though – if I get the chance again, if it is next year or five years time, I’ll be happy.”After a mixed showing for Northern Districts in New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition, he was recalled for the final two T20Is against Bangladesh this month. He picked up five wickets before joining Strikers as an overseas replacement for England’s injured Chris Jordan.He eventually filled the role vacated by Adil Rashid, who has been on international duty. Rashid’s absence has been a major factor in Strikers being the first side to fall out of finals contention this season. Despite his best performance in the shortest format till date, Sodhi was critical of his first over because he went wicketless.”If I’m really harsh on myself, I probably took a little time to adjust to the conditions. In the first over, I bowled like I was at the MCG or Adelaide Oval – a little flatter and into the deck so I could spin it on,” he said. “But there was more in the surface for me – I should have used it from ball one. I got going in the second over and it worked out really well for me.”Of his meeting with MacGill, he said: “He spoke a lot about repetition. Growing up, if you liked legspin, you loved watching MacGill bowl, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, those guys. Just to sit down with him was inspiring. He didn’t have to say much – he did tell me a lot, which was great – but just being in his presence was amazing.”He’s a guy who gave me something to look up to when I was younger and something to look forward to. He taught me a lot and hopefully I can continue to make him proud.”

The shares of the BCCI and the ECB in the ICC’s revenue pie have reduced, even as cricket’s governing body aims at a sense of equity in revenue distribution

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Feb-2017

ESPNcricinfo can reveal details of the ICC’s new financial model that was proposed to Full Members at last weekend’s board meeting in Dubai. The models are part of a broader report, produced by an ICC working group committee, which seeks to provide the basis of a new constitution for the game.The draft of a new constitution was passed in principle at the meeting, with seven members voting for it, two opposing and one abstaining. Members will now bring thoughts, suggestions and concerns to the table in April, which may result in changes to the draft.The biggest obstacle will be the financial model and, in particular, the BCCI’s objections to it. ICC revenues for this rights cycle – 2015-2023 – are estimated to be around US $2.5 billion. Some estimates suggest revenues may go as high as $2.7 billion. The projections in this model are for revenues up to $3 billion. These are based on the possibility of additional ICC tournaments being added to the existing cycle. ESPNcricinfo has seen the model, from which a number of things stand out.

ICC Gross Revenues
(in US$) 2.5 billion 2.6 billion 2.7 billion 2.8 billion 2.9 billion 3 billion BCCI 255-260 270-275 285-290 305-310 320-325 335-340ECB 120-125 130-135 135-140 145-150 155-160 160-165CA 110-115 120-125 125-130 135-140 140-145 150-155CSA 110-115 120-125 125-130 135-140 140-145 150-155PCB 110-115 120-125 125-130 135-140 140-145 150-155WICB 110-115 120-125 125-130 135-140 140-145 150-155NZC 110-115 120-125 125-130 135-140 140-145 150-155SLC 110-115 120-125 125-130 135-140 140-145 150-155BCB 110-115 120-125 125-130 135-140 140-145 150-155ZC 75-80 80-85 85-90 90-95 95-100 105-110IRE 50-55 55-60 55-60 60-65 65-70 70-75AFG 50-55 55-60 55-60 60-65 65-70 70-75No contribution, no cost
The most controversial aspect of the 2014 Big Three financial model was the idea of contribution costs, and the realisation that not all members bring to the game an equal amount of money. What each Full Member earned in total from the ICC revenue was a percentage figure of the total revenues (the contribution cost, based on contributions made, and provided as compensation for playing in ICC events: the BCCI had a 20.3% share, ECB 4.4%, Cricket Australia, 2.7% and so on) plus an equal share of the surplus (which is how revenues had been divided until then). The seven non-Big Three boards also got an additional $10 million over eight years as part of the Test Cricket Fund.In the new model, this breakdown of earnings is redundant as is the contribution-cost element. Instead one lump sum figure is provided for each board. But the principle behind contribution costs remains because in every projection, the BCCI gets a bigger share of the pie than every other board – twice as much, in fact, as the next.The Big Three take a hit
In the new model, the percentage shares of the BCCI and ECB in the total pie have gone down, while that of CA remains roughly the same. But a quick calculation will tell you why the BCCI is unhappy with these models. Not only is there no real formula behind them, but the Indian board takes the biggest hit from the 2014 model.In that model, for gross ICC revenue of $2.5 billion, the BCCI stood to earn between 17.6-18% of the revenue (between $440-445 million*). In the new model, at the same gross revenue, it gets 10-10.2%. That is a reduction in potential earnings of between $180-190 million. The percentage share does increase should the ICC’s revenue increase but it isn’t a large spike: if the ICC gets $3 billion as revenue, the BCCI’s share will be between 11.16-11.33%.Under the 2014 model, the ECB stood to take 5.8-6%, whereas now its share is 4.8-5%, or between $20-30 million less. CA’s share was between 4.4-4.6% in the last model and is more or less the same now. As with the BCCI, their shares will increase should the ICC’s total gross revenue increase. That is the case with all boards.Equity
The ICC said in its press release after the meeting that a sense of equity played a big part in the determining of these figures. That much is clear in the fact that below the BCCI and ECB are seven boards that stand to get essentially the same share for nearly any projected value of total gross revenue.It would seem as if the ICC has tried to preserve both a sense of contribution cost – by recognising the right of the BCCI to the largest share – and, by narrowing the gap between them and the others, ensuring a degree of equality among the boards beneath them. The problem, of course, is that there remains no set formula behind these numbers – they remain, essentially, arbitrary figures.Welcome Ireland and Afghanistan
You will not have missed the last two entries in the first table – Ireland and Afghanistan. The status of both was discussed at the board meeting; Afghanistan’s domestic multi-day tournament was given first-class status, thus fulfilling one key prerequisite to play Test cricket.This model – as well as the Test league structure – is perhaps the clearest sign yet that there is a will to have them playing Tests, or at least be part of the big boys’ club. Over eight years (with ICC gross revenues of $2.5 billion) each could earn $50-55 million.Goodbye Test Cricket Fund
One of the redeeming features of the Big Three model was the introduction of a Test Cricket Fund that sought to subsidise unprofitable bilateral series outside the Big Three. That amounted to $10 million for each of the seven boards over the eight-year cycle. The first payments were made to these boards last year.This move is likely linked to the introduction of a league structure for Test cricket, which, in theory, means that all bilateral contests have greater context, and thus, greater financial value and so do not need subsidising.*

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in a Premier League gem, as Unai Emery aims to bolster his side this summer.

The transfer window is set to be a busy one for the Spaniard, who has already surpassed expectations in less than a year in charge, booking Villa’s place in Europe after a scintillating recovery of their season.

News emerging this week has placed a Manchester United defender as a potential target, in a player that could be rejuvenated by Emery.

What’s the latest on Harry Maguire to Aston Villa?

As reported by Football Transfers, Aston Villa are interested in United centre-back Harry Maguire.

The Englishman will reportedly be available this summer for a fee in the region of £35m after a tough few years at Old Trafford.

The report states that Tottenham and Everton are eyeing the 30-year-old along with Villa.

What could Harry Maguire bring to Aston Villa?

The last few years have been tough for Maguire, who has been shunned multiple times for poor performances attributable to a lack of confidence.

The 30-year-old has made just eight starts this season in the Premier League, being phased out of the picture at Old Trafford due to the emergence of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.

While his performances have not inspired much to be celebrated, the Englishman was not long ago one of the country’s best centre-backs, signed by United back in 2019 for £80m after displaying monstrous performances for Leicester City.

With his time in Manchester reportedly coming to an end, Villa could find themselves with an experienced England international in their ranks and a defender that can compete with the best on his day.

Hailed as “tremendous” by Premier League ace Pascal Gross via GOAL, Maguire could become an anchor in Emery’s defence, and could add a magnitude of experience playing alongside Diego Carlos.

The Brazilian who suffered a traumatic Achilles injury shortly after arriving in the Midlands, has been tipped to be in the Spaniard’s plans for the future, and as shown through the duo’s statistics, could be a force to be reckoned with alongside Maguire.

Going back to the season that inspired United to snatch the Englishman from Leicester, the Sheffield-born ace was operating as one of the league’s best, likened to Virgil Van Dijk for his numbers accumulated that term.

As per FBref, Maguire’s most impressive tool that season was his ability to play out from the back while maintaining defensive stability, averaging a huge 6.59 progressive passes and 1.84 progressive carries per 90.

The Englishman could compliment the defensive attributes of Villa’s “monster”, as lauded by Ollie Watkins, who won a dominant 62% of his total duels in La Liga last season with an average of 4.0 per game, via Sofascore.

It’s integral to have the balance between a ball-carrying centre-back and one that lavishes the nitty-gritty elements, which is what Emery could have in pairing the two giants with heaps of experience under their belts.

The main element to Maguire’s potential re-emergence is his confidence, which could be restored by the Spaniard who has worked miracles on firing Tyrone Mings to reach ultimate highs again in a Villa shirt.

With the transfer window fast approaching, only time will tell if Emery can get his man.

Umar Akmal, the Pakistan batsman, believes he can revive his Test career despite not having played the format for nearly six years.Akmal, 26, had made his Test debut at the age of 19 in 2009. He scored a century in his first innings but did not make another one in his next 15 Tests and was not picked again in the format after September 2011. He had scored 1003 runs in 30 innings, with six half-centuries, and averaged 35.82.Akmal was of the opinion that his batting style was suited to the way Test cricket is played presently. “I still wonder what I did wrong and where I went wrong to be dropped from Test side,” Akmal said in Dubai, where he is playing for Lahore Qalandars in the PSL. “They only dropped me saying that I am not suitable for Test cricket because I don’t hold back, which is required in Tests.”But the approach to playing Test cricket has changed over the years. Now teams score 350 or so in one day and matches hardly go into fifth day. I was playing the very same brand of cricket, which was actually evolving at that time, but I was dropped because I play fast and not the conventional way. Was that my mistake? If so, then the whole world has now adapted this modern form of cricket in Tests as well.”Around 2010 and 2011, Akmal’s form dipped and subsequently he began to make headlines for discipline problems. His limited-overs form began to suffer as well and he has only two centuries in 105 ODI innings and eight half-centuries in 77 T20I innings. His flashy shot selection was a point of much debate. Akmal’s duck against Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday was his 24th in the format – the most in T20 cricket.Akmal, however, said that his position in the batting order adversely impacted his ability to play long innings and score big. He preferred to bat up the order but was kept in the lower middle, often having to play the low-percentage role of aggressor towards the end of an innings.The recent 1-4 defeat in Australia was Akmal’s first ODI series since the 2015 World Cup. He made 131 runs with a high score of 46, having batted one innings at no. 5 and four at no. 6.”I am not careless, just playing my natural game,” Akmal said. “If I am asked to score ten per over then what you expect from me? Should I play for myself, score at five, and let the run rate mount on my team? No, I rather go out, play big, and try to achieve my team’s requirement. And we all know where I play [in the batting order], at which number. People often compare me with other batsmen but why don’t people realise that the number I bat at is critical and there is the burden of extra responsibility.”I still try to help my team out of pressure situations by pushing back the opponent, but sometimes I am not able to do so. But my intentions are clear that I want to play for my team according to the requirement and will play my shots.”Another issue is Akmal not satisfying the PCB’s standards of fitness, on which there has been greater emphasis over the last three years. At his previous assessment, Akmal was weighed at 91kg and his fat-level reading was 115.6 – anything over 100 is considered high. Akmal, however, defended his fitness levels.”If you talk with different players around the world, some are slightly bulky and some are smart in physique, but that doesn’t mean weight defines their actual fitness,” Akmal said. “I don’t remember going off the field in a game, or conceding a second run. I am energetic in the field and my running between the wickets is fine as well.”So what exactly do you expect from me? To be smart and thin, why? I can quote you many examples in which those players are theoretically fit but cannot even clear the circle. I have a natural body and if I try to reduce it I may lose my strength for power hitting.”

Manchester United were "interested" in a move for William Saliba before the defender agreed to a new contract at Arsenal, according to journalist Fabrice Hawkins.

Is William Saliba staying at Arsenal?

The defender has become a key part of the Gunners' side this year and very nearly helped his club to a Premier League title. Ultimately, the side had to settle for second-place but it was a breakout year for the centre-back, who featured for Arsenal more than ever before in the 2022/23 campaign. He played on 27 occasions for them in the league and even managed two goals and an assist along the way.

In addition, his abilities for the Gunners in their backline made him stand out as one of the best in his position amongst the Men's 'Top Five' big leagues in Europe. His non-penalty goal rate of 0.10 per 90 for example put him in the top nine percent of CBs and his pass completion rate of 91.1% per 90 put him within the 93rd percentile in that figure too.

It shows the Frenchman has come on leaps and bounds this term for Arsenal and has become a player that the side can rely on with the ball at his feet to spread play around and start attacks from deep.

Having impressed in the Premier League this season then, it's no wonder that Arsenal have now moved quickly to agree fresh terms with Saliba. However, it appears there was interest from elsewhere in taking him on a deal this summer. According to a report from journalist Fabrice Hawkins, Man United were sniffing around the defender. It appears that he was on their wanted list – and Bayern Munich's – but has since committed his future to the Gunners.

Saliba may have set United back a pretty penny too if they had moved for him after his displays for Arsenal. CIES Football Observatory suggest his value is somewhere around the 80 million Euro mark (or £68m), which means the defender could have been an expensive but potentially worthwhile signing for the Red Devils.

How good is Saliba?

The defender has certainly become a reliable option at the back this campaign, with the player coming in for high praise from all angles. Football journalist Josh Bunting for example labelled him as the "perfect player" for breaking lines and added that he had made a "very impressive" debut at the World Cup back in 2022.

He's certainly a defender that likes to get on the ball and to make things happen with it despite his defensive responsibilities. Tagged on to his impressive goal-getting stats, he's also in the top 17% of centre-backs for expected assists.

Saliba then could have made a very good addition to a United backline known for playing out from the back under Erik ten Hag. However, it appears his future is now tied up with Arsenal.

Ed Cowan’s unbeaten 134 off 267 balls enabled New South Wales to end the second day of their Sheffield Shield match against Victoria with a 42-run advantage

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Feb-2017
ScorecardEd Cowan made his first first-class century in 23 innings•Getty ImagesEd Cowan’s 23rd first-class century gave New South Wales a healthy lead at stumps on the second day against Victoria at the MCG, where the Blues finished at 4 for 300. Replying to Victoria’s first-day score of 258, New South Wales had a 42-run advantage at stumps and plenty of opportunity to extend that lead further yet, with Cowan at the crease on 134 and Peter Nevill on 18.Victoria’s new-ball bowlers, Jake Reed and Scott Boland, dismissed the New South Wales openers Daniel Hughes and Nick Larkin within the first 10 overs of the innings. But Cowan, batting at No. 3, settled in for a series of partnerships that frustrated the Victorians, first a 141-run combination with Kurtis Patterson, who made 61.Moises Henriques then put on a 92-run stand with Cowan which ended when Henriques was lbw to Reed for 51, and by the close of play the Cowan-Nevill partnership had reached 50. It was Cowan’s first hundred at first-class level since October 2015, ending a drought of 23 innings without reaching triple-figures.

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Discover our top six streaming devices and why they should star in your gadget lineup

Calling all cable cutters! It’s an exciting time to be you. 

Streaming devices are the top tier of flexible viewing, bringing all the streaming services you use into one neat location. Whether you’re looking for live coverage of the Premier League or some pithy life lessons from Jose Mourinho in Netflix’s “The Playbook”, you’re covered with the click of a button. If that's not enough, any device worth its salt features 4k and HDR content, so you've always got a front-row seat.

There are a lot of streaming devices to choose from. To fast-track you to the right one for your budget, we've put together our six best and brightest.

What to consider: Essential Visual QualityInterface Apps in the device library App and content Loading speedPricingAdditionalSmart device functions AdvertisementsDolby audio and visual compatibilityOur Top Six Streaming DevicesRoku Streaming Stick 4k [$49.99]Roku Express 4k [ $39.99]Nvidia Shield TV [$149.99]Chromecast with Google TV 4k [$49.99]Amazon Firestick 4k max [$54.99]Apple TV 4k [$129.99]

We've weighed up the merits of each, so you can decide which gets the sacred spot in your living room.

Whether you're buying on a budget, or on the hunt for premium visuals that put you a hairbreadth from the action, there's something for you.

RELATED

Best Cable and Satellite providers for live sports streamingBest streaming services for live sports in 2023

You can also find league and competition schedules for your favorite teams using GOAL's streaming services.

FAQSDo I have to pay monthly for my device?

No, your streaming device is a one-off purchase. However, streaming services and channels accessed via your streaming device (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime, Peacock, Paramount+) will require you to pay a monthly subscription. 

Will I have access to every channel?

Most devices have access to the big streaming apps you need. However, if you’re looking to stream specific leagues and games, it’s essential to check which services broadcast them and whether those services are available through that device.

Are additional features worth the extra cost?

That depends. For most people watching the big game in 4k with HDR is more than enough to feel close to the action. But if you want a cinematic experience with every watch and are willing to invest, the likes of Dolby Audio and visuals will provide a more immersive viewing experience. 

Best streaming devices

Roku Express 4k is hands down the best on the market for those wanting quality streaming on a budget.  It’s one of the only 4k services available for under $50, offering good app variety and loading speeds. Express includes Airplay, so it can be synchronized across Apple devices. It’s an affordable all-rounder. 

The Nvidia Shield 4k is an accomplished all-rounder. It’s one of the pricier dishes on the menu as a result, but well worth it if it fits your budget. Nvidia Shield TV is an Android device that comes with 4K streaming and HDR, lightning-fast loading, and a responsive, user-friendly dashboard. Its extensive app library gives you up to 5000 channels.

If that’s not enough, you get all the smart features you could ask for, with built-in Google Assistant, smart home control, network data storage and file sharing, and DVR storage for live TV recording through HDHomeRun.

Say hello to smart streaming. Chromecast offers 4k, HDR and is a reliable option for live TV.  However, its greatest strengths are its smart device features, offering Google assistance via the voice-controlled remote and smart home control. Chromecast also integrates seamlessly with other Google-run platforms, such as YouTube and Google Photos.

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Supporting Wi-Fi 6 and Dolby Vision, the Amazon Fire Stick 4k Max offers impressive loading speeds and high-quality visuals if you have the appropriate router. Similarly to Google Chromecast, the Amazon Fire Stick is well integrated with other services from the provider.  The Fire Stick 4k Max features Alexa to help you search for your favorite channels, as well as smart home control and a huge variety of apps.

New Birmingham City boss Wayne Rooney considered studying law after he became obsessed with the Wagatha Christie trial involving his wife Coleen.

Article continues below

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• Rooney was obsessed with case
• Considered studying law
• Suggested legal arguments for lawyers

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rooney supported his wife throughout her defamation case against Rebekah Vardy and became intrigued by the law.

  The former Manchester United and England star attended daily briefings with lawyers and had many questions about the case, resulting in his interest in applying to law school.

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The famous lawsuit, dubbed the Wagatha Christie, erupted after Coleen discovered one of her Instagram followers was leaking private information to the press and eventually identified the culprit as Rebekah Vardy, wife of Leicester star Jamie.

  Vardy launched a defamation suit and denied leaking any stories, but she lost the case, with the judge ruling that Rooney's claims were "substantially true".

• WHAT THEY SAID

  New Birmingham boss Rooney became obsessed with the case and even suggested arguments for the lawyers, resulting in his wife shutting him down. "Wayne shut up and let David [Hurworth] or Paul [Lunt] speak," she said during a newly released Disney+ documentary on the trial.

  Coleen later added: "He was then going to apply for law school and he had all these plans."

  Rooney himself also explained why he became so fascinated with the intricacies of the legal world. "Yeah, it was interesting because I do like crime documentaries and in particular the different techniques the two barristers used," he said.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Rooney, 37, appears to have dropped his desire to study law as he was recently appointed Birmingham City manager. His side will play their first game since his arrival on Saturday when they take on Middlesbrough.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:35

Fernando: No-ball scare gave Mendis focus

How sweet homecomings can be. Having failed to score 300 in any of their six Test innings in South Africa, Sri Lanka rode Kusal Mendis’ suave 166 not out to a score of 321 for 4 on the first day in Galle. Along the way, Mendis signed up Asela Gunaratne for a sidekick, forging with him a dominant 196-run fourth-wicket stand, of which Gunaratne’s share was 85.This Galle pitch deserves a first-innings total of at least 400, so although Sri Lanka’s position is strong for now, it is certainly not an unassailable one. Bangladesh, though, will rue their falling away towards the end of the day. Their first three hours had been disciplined and energetic, the quicks squeezing a little movement from a reluctant surface in the early overs, before the spinners dealt almost exclusively in tight lines and lengths at their initial introduction. Their initial reward for this stretch of good bowling was a scoreline of 92 for 3, but then their pep waivered. The last dismissal came after several hours, not long before the close of play.

Mendis-Gunaratne’s record

• 2 Centuries for Kusal Mendis at home from nine innings. Mendis scored 176 against Australia last year and is currently unbeaten on 166. This is also his third first-class century.

• 166 Runs scored by Sri Lanka from 35 overs in the third session of play. Mendis scored 86 of those runs.

• 196 Runs added by Gunaratne and Mendis – the highest fourth-wicket partnership for Sri Lanka against Bangladesh

That late scalp was well-deserved by Taskin Ahmed, though – he was Bangladesh’s most consistent operator through the day, and it was appropriate that he have at least one scalp to show for his toil.Mendis’ innings was not without its flaws, but the mistakes came in the early going. He was assured through the middle of the day, and by the end: sublime. The worst shot had been his first. Mendis flashed at a short ball outside off stump from Subhashis Roy, to send an under-edge to the keeper. Bangladesh were celebrating and he was trudging off when the umpires sought to run a no-ball check, with replays showing the bowler had overstepped. Though visibly relieved, the experience was enough to scare Mendis into early reticence – only 22 came from his first 60 balls.There had been a little juice in the pitch in the early overs, too – a modicum of sideways movement, and just a hint of zip off the pitch. When this disappeared in the day’s relentless heat, Mendis began to prosper. First he parsed the mild spin of Shakib Al Hasan and the moderate turn of Mehedi Hasan. He then withstood Taskin’s intense second and third spells. Eventually Subashis tried to unsettle him with a short-ball assault, but though the occasional bouncer beat his hook shot, and another ball took the splice of his bat, he retained his wicket, and soon enough, began to score off the rib-high balls as well. As always with a good Mendis innings, there was that flicked on-drive, but on this occasion it was the swat-pull that defined his progress through the middle of the day. His first fifty took 101 deliveries but, in the company of Gunaratne – who was also scoring smoothly – Mendis hit his second off 64 balls.As the day grew long, and Bangladesh began to visibly wilt, Mendis only grew more dominant. He slinked down the crease to hit Shakib over long-on in the 76th over, then slog-swept Mehedi over deep midwicket soon after. He sailed past 150 in the final overs of the day. This innings was not nearly as impressive as his maiden ton – 176 against Australia last year – but he has, nevertheless, already displayed a thirst for big hundreds.Gunaratne, his partner for 43 overs, rarely appeared troubled at the crease, and was quick to punish anything short. Against the spinners he deployed his favoured sweep and reverse sweep. He glided to a half-century in 85 balls, and rarely failed to find gaps to release the pressure when a few dot balls had built up. This was his third fifty-plus score in five Test innings.Before Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal had produced a long, fruitless stay at the crease. It was not tortured exactly – the ball rarely beating his bat or causing him strife – but it was unambitious in the extreme. Why he embraced this ultra-conservative approach is unclear, particularly as he had just clattered 190 off 253 against the same attack in the tour match last week. Whatever the case, he only succeeded in taking time out of the game. Midway through the afternoon, a sudden burst of energy overtook him: he attempted to flay Mustafizur Rahman through the covers, then tried to slash him a little squarer next ball. The first shot was mistimed, and yielded no run. The second attempt sent a thick outside edge directly to gully, who gobbled up the catch. Chandimal ended with 5 runs to show for 54 balls and 71 minutes at the crease.The first session had been Bangladesh’s best, as Subhashis, Taskin and Mustafizur delivered impeccable spells to corner Sri Lanka into conservatism. Subhashis had made the first incision, darting a ball back off the seam to rattle Upul Tharanga’s stumps. Mehedi had Dimuth Karunaratne cutting too close to his body to make the second breakthrough. Sri Lanka were 61 for 2 at lunch, and there seemed a chance, at that stage, that their unusual decision to field only six batsmen for this Test would immediately hurt them.Mendis ensured that would not be the case.