Sri Lanka captain Asalanka had earlier this year called for better batting tracks but now defended the pitches, saying turning tracks suited their strengths

Madushka Balasuriya18-Oct-20243:17

Sammy: West Indies sent a strong message

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has declared a “moral victory” for his side in the aftermath of the 2-1 T20I series defeat to Sri Lanka, and questioned the wisdom of the home side pivoting to turning tracks for the final two games, both must-wins for Sri Lanka.In a fairly scathing assessment, Sammy argued that while the next T20 World Cup – in 2026 – was going to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka, such turning tracks would not be the norm with the ICC having primary input over the curation of the wickets.”For us, to see the last two games, and the nature of the wicket from what it was at the start, I thought we actually won the contest,” Sammy said following the third T20I which Sri Lanka won by nine wickets. “Because we were the away team and in conditions set before us, we challenged them with a squad that was not our full squad, and they had to react to that.Related

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Asalanka pitches for batting-friendly tracks in Sri Lanka

“So I told the guys, ‘yes, when the World Cup comes we won’t get these conditions – the ICC will make sure the pitches are good’. So it was a moral victory for us from the first game to the second game.”While Sri Lanka may no doubt contest Sammy’s views, it wasn’t long ago that many within Sri Lanka’s camp were themselves clamouring for more batter-friendly pitches. The calls had followed Sri Lanka’s dismal display in the 2023 World Cup in India, where their batters struggled to match the attacking approach of the top sides. This plan seemed to have taken root, to a fair amount of success, in the early part of the year where high scores were seen more frequently – particularly during the series against Afghanistan, where Sri Lanka narrowly failed to chase down a target of 210.Fast forward to the present, and Sri Lanka have just enjoyed their first-ever T20I bilateral series win against West Indies, which itself followed an ODI series win against India. Both triumphs have, however, taken place on turning tracks, which has brought up the uncomfortable question: are short-term results being prioritised in place of long-term gains?Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka – who had been one of those calling for better batting tracks – doesn’t think so, as he instead opted to focus on Sri Lanka’s strengths, in this case their spin bowling.”Sri Lanka’s strength has always been spin, and we still believe that it’s with spin that we will be able to win the most,” he said following Sri Lanka’s win in the third T20I. “So we made pitches to support that strength. When that’s working for us, I think it’s a lot easier for us to win.”Asalanka’s point is a valid one in many ways. In Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage, Sri Lanka boast a spin attack that would be the envy of most sides in the world, and so playing to those strengths makes sense. Sammy, though, believes this could be to the detriment of their fast-bowling contingent.”When you have pacers, like the two slingers (Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana) not getting an opportunity to bowl on good wickets, when the true test comes that’s where you really test your team.”I mean, there’s home advantage, but what good does that make for the development of your squad, especially your fast bowlers, in being able to bowl and have an impact on the game?”Charith Asalanka: “As a team, our goal is that if we get a good wicket abroad, we should be able to score 200-250″•AP Photo/Viraj Kothalawala

Sammy’s point holds some merit. In the final T20I, both Pathirana and Thushara bowled just two overs each, with the former being introduced as a seventh bowling option – after both part-time spinners Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis. In contrast, in Sri Lanka’s series win earlier in the year against Afghanistan, only two spinners had been used in each game.And this might be where Asalanka and Sammy perhaps can find some common ground. While Asalanka has championed Sri Lanka’s spinners, he too acknowledges that they need to bolster their fast-bowling ranks.”We have a lot of fast bowlers on our bench. Today you saw Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana, and they bowled well when called upon. As a team, however, we need our fast bowlers to improve a little more. Aside from those currently in the side, we need more coming in. That’s how we will be able to play well in any conditions.”Bowling and pitches aside, one immutable fact is that Sri Lanka’s batters turned up more often than did those of West Indies. Sammy, who had stated ahead of the series that he was looking to test their squad depth, is keenly aware of the improvements that need to be made on that front.”We came here with the T20 World Cup I think less than 20 months away. Having seen the way we played on a typical Dambulla wicket – what we expected from what all the stats said – I thought we dominated.”We started the series with a squad looking to see the depth, and the home side had to change the whole set-up to make sure that their spinners got the advantage. Ideally, yes, our men did not respond well to the spin. However, with the mindset that we have in our team being a championship winning team, we must be able to play in different conditions. You know, by letting [our] bowlers be challenged and also our batters be challenged.”Asalanka, for his part, had no such qualms about his batters. Indeed, the scores over the course of the West Indies T20Is indicate that Sri Lanka’s batting has been performing well – they scored at least 160 in each game – despite the nature of the tracks.”We were expecting a spinning wicket in the first game as well, but it didn’t play as we expected,” Asalanka said. “Then in the second game it turned a lot more, but we still managed to score 162, and in this game we chased down 163 in 18 overs. I think, if you look at the scores you can’t really say it’s a bad wicket.”But what about on better tracks? While that is a question that can only be answered definitively once Sri Lanka have to deal with such conditions, Asalanka is confident that their batting line-up is primed to deal with whatever challenges are put before them.”As a team, our goal is that if we get a good wicket abroad, we should be able to score 200-250, but if it’s a harder wicket then we should be able to score 160-170 or in that range.”Against India, we were chasing 200 or so, but after a good start we were unable to finish it off. Even in the last game, we were on the verge of winning but then our set batters were unable to finish the game. On pitches like this it’s important that the batter that is set, as much as possible, takes the game long or finishes it off.”

Middlesex seamer is “super fit” and aiming to rekindle form that led to Test success in 2017

Andrew Miller30-Mar-2021It would be easy to mope if you were Toby Roland-Jones. Four years ago, he was the toast of the English game – a broad-shouldered seamer with classical English traits, who sealed the County Championship for Middlesex with a hat-trick in 2016, then claimed eight wickets on Test debut against South Africa at The Oval the following summer.With a deck-hitting action that could trouble well-set batsmen, and a grooved ability to bang out line and length for sessions at a time, he was a shoo-in for further honours on the 2017-18 Ashes tour, until a stress fracture of his back unleashed a run of injuries that has scarcely abated since.In the summer of 2018, Roland-Jones didn’t make it past the first month of the season – his diligent recuperation that previous winter had earned him an England Lions trip to the Caribbean, but the crack in his back was shown to have widened after he limped out of his second match of the season at Derby.Related

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And though he showed signs of his best form the following year with 37 wickets at 28.21, 2020 was another write-off – a shoulder injury this time kyboshing any involvement in that season’s rejigged itinerary.But now he is back, and seemingly with a vengeance too, thanks to a rigorous off-field regime that, in the words of his Middlesex head coach, Stuart Law, has “completely changed his body shape and body composition”. At the age of 33, time is not entirely on Roland-Jones’ side if he wants to make up for the lost years of his prime. But he’s adamant that, this time, he’s given himself the best chance to succeed.”Last year did have a lot of perspective attached to it, with all the [Covid] goings on,” Roland-Jones tells ESPNcricinfo. “But given the disappointment of those recent seasons, my focus this year has been on a long-term goal, and making changes from a physical standpoint as well as a bowling standpoint, to set things up for one, two, three summers, rather than hoping to get through three games back-to-back.”Roland-Jones himself is modest about the changes he has made – and perhaps cautious too, given how much he has learned from painful experience in recent years. But when Law, a hard-bitten Aussie not given to hyperbole, states that a player has “changed the way he’s gone about doing things” and is looking “super fit”, it’s obvious that the effort is more than just a case of “training more and eating less”, as Law also (more flippantly) put it.”I’m not sure that’s the technical term for it!” Roland-Jones jokes. But either way, he hopes that this lighter load through the crease, and a reduction of strain in his action, will break the cycle of injuries that, he believes, all stem from the same initial problem.”With bowling there is a definite connective chain that goes on,” he says. “With so many pressure points, particularly in the lower back, if you’re trying to offset anything from there, it’s tricky because other areas are really going to feel that load.”In the frame that I had, for maybe the last year-and-a-half or so, my action was starting to feel a little bit jerky, and things looked like they were harder work than they needed to be.”A lot of fast bowlers can make it look effortless, no matter how much work they put in, so I’ve tried to enhance the mobility on my bowling shoulder, and lean up to create a little bit more room for the joint to regain its elasticity, which was probably getting a bit lost while I was combating so many injuries.”There’s only so much that can be read into pre-season friendlies. But Roland-Jones’ match figures of 16-6-22-2 in his first run-out against Yorkshire at Merchant Taylors’ last week hint at a bowler who is comfortable with where his game is at, without over-extending any ambitions for the sharper end of the season.

Like anyone, I have ambitions to play higher up. I was lucky enough to get a taster for that and absolutely I want to put myself back in the hat

“That first run back on grass always has a period of adjustment, of getting back to it,” he says. “But, to a man, everyone seems to have found their rhythm as it went on, so it was a really positive couple of days. The sun shone on us as well, which is always a blessing at this time of year. After spending lots of the winter in the gym and a tent, it’s so far, so good.”Roland-Jones’ upbeat demeanour isn’t solely connected to his optimism for the season ahead. In December, he and his wife Harriet had a baby boy, Rory, and so – while the rest of the country was dealing with the strictures of a winter lockdown, his main focus outside of training has been on nappies and night feeds.”It definitely offers you some good, fresh perspective,” he says. “But it’s been really enjoyable. We’ve been fortunate to have a great distraction during a tricky time for the country, and it’s enabled us to really enjoy that period of being at home and just having time together as a family. And it’s also a timely reminder of the fact that you’re a little bit older, which is always good!”Back in his day job, however, there are still a pair of ongoing reminders that Roland-Jones is not yet over the hill in sporting terms. In 2017, he was considered one of the frontrunners to take over from James Anderson and Stuart Broad, then 34 and 31 respectively, as England’s attack leader when Father Time finally caught up on their remarkable careers. Four years and several Indian summers later, they seem no closer to the ends of their respective roads, and by extension, neither need he be.”What those guys are still managing to do to further their careers is pretty inspiring,” Roland-Jones says, “and it’s a testament to all the work that goes on behind the scenes.”As for whether he might yet be able to join them in Australia this winter, and fulfil the ambition that was so cruelly denied him on the last Ashes tour, Roland-Jones is understandably coy.”I guess that’s where you’ve probably got to state the difference between goals and ambitions,” he says. “Like anyone, I have ambitions to play higher up. I was lucky enough to get a taster for that, and absolutely, I want to put myself back in the hat.”But, as someone who has been out of the fold for a little while now, you’ve got to do your grounding in the domestic game and not look too far ahead.”Because I was never dropped by England, there were certainly a few times, coming back from injury, when I felt I must be only a couple of performances away from being right back in their thoughts.”I personally didn’t find that a particularly good mindset to be in, and it possibly led to me being a little bit absent in games for Middlesex. So while the ambition is always there, that’s really not my goal for this summer – even though you know that if you put the numbers up that you think you are capable of, anything is possible.”Toby Roland-Jones races off after sealing the 2016 Championship for Middlesex•Getty ImagesIn many ways, Roland-Jones’ own career trajectory mirrors that of Middlesex as a team – the unforgettable finale at Lord’s in September 2016, when he dramatically settled a must-win encounter with Yorkshire, giving way to the misery of relegation the following summer and a succession of seasons in the doldrums.Do the glory days feel a little bit distant at times? “I guess they probably need to, to be honest,” he says. “If you’re playing any sport and crowing back to past successes, then you’re probably focusing on too many wrong pointers.”That’s not to put it in a negative light at all, but while you’re playing, you have to focus on the moment, and that’s often no further than the day’s play that you’re in.”Whether we as a team have fallen foul of that over the last few years, that’s maybe up for debate,” he adds. “But enough time has passed for the guys to look back on it as something they want to achieve again, without reflecting on it too much.”With a seam attack that features two other Test veterans in Steven Finn and Ireland’s Tim Murtagh, as well as future England prospects such as Tom Helm, Ethan Bamber and the 19-year-old Blake Cullen, Middlesex have an abundance of weapons with which to take on the new season, although Roland-Jones acknowledges that their returns haven’t always lived up to expectations in recent years.”That’s something that, as a bowling attack, we need to address,” he says. “On paper, we’ve had a great attack for a number of years and whilst many individuals have performed well over that period, I still think we can look back and say that there’s more to come from us.”And that’s not a bad thing at all, because that’s how you should be feeling going into a new season. This is a real chance for all these components to come together at the same time.”And after everything he’s been through these past few years, nobody better embodies the optimism of new beginnings.

Glasgow Rangers have yet to make a signing under new manager Russell Martin, but could all that change in the coming days?

The Ibrox side has reportedly shown interest in strikers Matija Frigan and Dor Turgeman recently as Martin seeks to bolster the club’s attacking options.

With Cyriel Dessers closing in on a move to AEK Athens, adding a striker or two could be vital.

Bringing in another centre-back is also high on the wishlist for the new boss, especially with Leon Balogun leaving at the end of last season.

The Nigerian defender was a superb servant for the Gers across two spells. But could Martin sign an upgrade on him this summer?

Rangers search for a new defender

Robin Propper is another defender who looks set to leave Ibrox while Ben Davies appears not to have a future at Rangers.

This leaves Martin with just John Souttar, Clinton Nsiala and Leon King as options at the heart of the defence.

According to The Rangers Review, the Gers are still interested in signing centre-back Harry Darling. His contract has expired at Swansea City, which means Martin wouldn’t have to pay a penny to reunite with his former player.

The Englishman played under the former Southampton boss at MK Dons and Swansea; therefore, he knows him well.

On a free, with the likelihood of Darling not breaking the bank wage-wise, the signing could be a shrewd one for the Glasgow side.

Balogun was loved by the supporters. That much is certain. Could Darling be an upgrade on the veteran, however?

Why Rangers must sign Harry Darling

Balogun was a titan at the back during his spells with the club. He won three trophies and helped Rangers reach the 2022 Europa League final.

Across 20 Premiership games last season, he won an impressive 62% of his total duels contested, while being dribbled past on just 0.3 occasions per game.

The 6ft 2 defender was a nightmare for opposition strikers as his physicality was superb, and that is also the case for the Swansea defender, who won 65% of his duels and was only dribbled past 0.3 times per game in the Championship.

In the second tier last season, Darling registered eight goal contributions for the Swans. Add this to the fact he recorded five the season before, and it is clear he thrives in set-piece scenarios.

Goals

5

Assists

3

Accurate passes per game

53.9

Clean sheets

12

Total duels won per game

4.9

Balls recovered per game

3.9

Indeed, when compared to his positional peers in the Championship during 2024/25, the centre-back ranked in the top 12% for assists (0.08) and in the top 7% for non-penalty goals (0.13) per 90.

Furthermore, he even ranked in the top 12% for progressive carries (1.05) and in the top 23% for progressive passes (3.7) per 90, suggesting that he loves to bring the ball forward from the defence, whether he is passing or dribbling.

In this sense, he would make for an ideal upgrade on Balogun, especially considering he is also 11 years younger than the former Gers man and would provide far more long-term value to the club as an asset that could increase in value.

Dubbed “heroic” by manager Luke Williams earlier this season, Darling would be a dream first signing for Martin and a big upgrade on Balogun. No doubt about it.

Martin's own David Weir: Rangers have "explored" move for "infectious" star

Rangers will be keen to sign a defender this summer

ByRoss Kilvington Jun 14, 2025

Juventus have named Randal Kolo Muani their top striker target for the summer, with Rasmus Hojlund low on the club's priority list.

• Juventus prioritising Kolo Muani
• Hojlund and Castro backup options
• Complete revolution in attack

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Juventus have considered Bologna's Santiago Castro alongside Manchester United's Hojlund as possible summer signings, but coach Igor Tudor has specifically requested the club go after Kolo Muani first, according to

  Juventus have already signed Jonathan David on a free but they want a partner to play alongside the Canadian forward.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Juventus are planning a major overhaul of their attacking unit. With Dusan Vlahovic attracting interest from AC Milan and Timothy Weah nearing a move to Marseille, the Bianconeri hope to reinvest the proceeds to strengthen the squad. While they have secured the permanent signing of Francisco Conceicao, progress on a deal for Jadon Sancho has been limited.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Juventus are also seeking re-inforcements in midfield with links to Sporting CP's Morten Hjumland and Tottenham's Yves Bissouma. Juventus have also expressed interest in Fenerbahce's Sofyan Amrabat.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR KOLO MUANI AND JUVENTUS ?

  Juventus will hope that they can strike a deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Kolo Muani, with the striker not seem to be part of Luis Enrique's plans. He will hope that he can continue in Turin after enjoying a good loan spell at the club in which he scored 10 goals and provided three assists.

da betcris： Liverpool are “clearly ahead” of rivals Chelsea in the race to sign a “magnificent” player in the summer transfer window.

Kerkez to join Liverpool this week

da supremo： The Reds have now officially signed Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a British-record £116m move, in a piece of business that has made the rest of Europe sit up and take notice.

There is unlikely to be a bigger signing made this summer, with Wirtz considered one of the world’s top attacking players, but Liverpool are not expected to be done there, still planning on adding fresh faces to the squad.

It looks as though Milos Kerkez will be the next name through the door at Anfield in the coming days, with journalist Fabrizio Romano claiming over the weekend that a minor issue has been ironed out and that he could be unveiled as soon as Tuesday.

David Ornstein of The Athletic has gone one better, however, saying that a medical is now expected to be done on Monday after flying into the UK, with the deal set to be worth £40m for the Bournemouth left-back.

Liverpool leading race to sign "magnificent" ace

Now, reliable Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri [via Sport Witness] has said that Liverpool are “clearly ahead” of Chelsea and others in the battle to sign Lyon winger Malick Fofana this summer.

He states that the Reds’ head of recruitment, Barry Hunter, admires the 20-year-old and has him at the top of his list of summer targets. The Premier League champions will need to sell Federico Chiesa first, though, and Fofana could possibly cost as much as £60m.

Fofana could be a brilliant long-term signing for Liverpool, with scout Jacek Kulig describing him as a “magnificent” prospect last year.

At just 20 years of age, the young Belgian has already bagged 22 goal contributions (15 goals and seven assists) in 62 appearances for Lyon, also winning one cap for Belgium at senior level, and those numbers should only improve as he matures as a player.

Predominantly a left-sided attacking player, it seems slightly strange that Liverpool would push so hard for Fofana, though, especially as Chiesa is right-sided in general.

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Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo appear to be staying put, so it would arguably only make sense for the Reds to sign the Lyon ace if one of them moves on, or if Arne Slot sees him as a backup option to Mohamed Salah on the right. But his talent is undeniable, so the idea of him in a Liverpool shirt is exciting.

Getting one over on their rivals and putting their Champions League place to good use, Newcastle United could now reportedly beat Aston Villa to one Ligue 1 defender this summer.

UCL qualification key for Newcastle this summer

From easing their PSR concerns to helping to keep hold of key players and attracting just as important upgrades, to say that Champions League qualification will prove to be vital for Newcastle this summer would be an understatement. The Magpies didn’t do it the easy way, but their place among Europe’s elite was secured on the final day of the Premier League season nonetheless.

Edging past Aston Villa on goal difference despite losing to Everton on the final day, the feeling around St James’ Park at full-time last weekend would have been major relief combined with the job of what awaits next season.

Eddie Howe had his say on the impact that Champions League qualification is likely to make on Newcastle’s summer transfer window, telling reporters: “Difficult to say on numbers, but I do think it’s a window that we have to be active in and I’m sure we will be.

“We haven’t recruited strongly in three windows and I think eventually, that can catch up with you in the end if you continue not to change because change is an important part of the squad dynamic.

“I think we feel that and I think we potentially felt that last summer as well, so I think that’s why the players have done so well to carry the success through. Yes, it is going to be a big transfer window.”

When Newcastle’s recruitment will get underway with that said remains to be seen, but reports have already been coming thick and fast as to who could arrive this summer.

Newcastle could hijack Aston Villa's Murillo move

According to El Marcador’s José Miguel Domínguez, as relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle could now hijack Aston Villa’s attempts to sign Amir Murillo from Marseille with an offer of their own, using their Champions League qualification as a major advantage, a competition Murillo wants to play in next season.

The Villans have already reportedly seen offers rejected for the right-back, which could allow the Magpies to come swooping in and match Marseille’s reported €25m (£21m) valuation.

The journalist said that the defender is keen to remain at Marseille due to Champions League football being on offer, but that is something that Newcastle can also provide and are expected to make a bid.

“The player’s desire, as of today, is to continue at Marseille because he plays in the Champions League. However, a siren call and a formal offer from Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, who were very close to playing in the Champions League and will be playing in the Europa League. Another team, Newcastle, is expected to submit a formal offer for him in the coming days. Be careful, because they do play in the Champions League.”

He'd be incredible with Isak: Newcastle prepare bid for "deadly" £60m star

Newcastle are looking to make some impactful signings in the transfer market this summer.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

May 30, 2025

It is a valuation that Marseille are in a strong position to demand too, after Murillo put pen to paper on a new which could keep him at the club until 2028 back in March. It was then that manager Roberto De Zerbi was full of praise for his defender, telling reporters whilst also acknowledging Murillo’s injury: “Yes, first of all, I am very happy about the extension of his contract, because he has earned it.

“You have to recognise the work of people who do good things. At the moment, he is having a very good season, and we are all really happy for him. But yes, it is a problem, because Murillo has unique characteristics.”

An early analysis of how the playing conditions of the new tournament could evolve

Sidharth Monga22-Jul-20211:58

Explainer: How to read the Hundred scorecard

Not sure if that was the intention, but the Hundred’s new playing conditions have a utility beyond the laughs. With the exception of a two-run penalty for a no-ball – which has been a feature of English domestic cricket – they are almost all geared to help the bowlers, the marginalised of the two participants in games of cricket. They will also make the fielding captain’s role more instrumental.The advantage is admittedly not massive, and the batters will eventually catch up as they keep getting stronger and better, but anything is welcome in a format that keeps shrinking further and further for a bowler.Shorter Powerplay
This should offset the no-ball penalty. Fifty-three no-balls were bowled in 60 matches in last year’s IPL. So let’s assume there is one no-ball bowled every match. Adding that extra run is not that big a punishment, but a shorter Powerplay is a huge incentive. The Powerplay in the Hundred is only 25% of the innings as against 30% in old-school T20 cricket. That’s one over fewer in a normal T20.Tens = good for captains and bowlers
Imagine MS Dhoni being allowed to bowl Deepak Chahar’s quota out in the Powerplay (no disrespect to Chahar’s emergence as a decent death bowler too). Or if for a certain match, Rohit Sharma could keep all of Jasprit Bumrah’s deliveries for the death. They could if they were captaining in the Hundred.The scope this gives bowlers and captains is immense. Imagine Dhoni walks in, and you have the option of bowling 10% of the innings from Sunil Narine without a break then and there. Dhoni strikes at slightly over 50 against Narine. And you don’t get away by playing a dot at the fifth ball; you are on strike for the start of the next five. The bowler, on the other hand, doesn’t have to nominate a “ten” at the start. So if a match-up gets away from him on the fifth ball, he can stop at five.Analysis will come in as the database continues to build, but it breaks the templates that T20 cricket has fallen into and that can’t be bad.

And a quick guide to the main new rules/playing conditions pic.twitter.com/eNG2drlDHj

— Osman Samiuddin (@OsmanSamiuddin) July 21, 2021