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“I think we probably just felt that we were just going to get the runs easily,” says captain after 12-run defeat to Kings XI Punjab

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Oct-2020

After a spectacular collapse in which Sunrisers Hyderabad went from needing 27 runs from 24 balls with seven wickets in hand to losing by 12 runs against Kings XI Punjab, David Warner said his batsmen had been “complacent” in the middle overs.The Sunrisers bowlers had restricted Kings XI to 126 for 7 on a slow, turning pitch in Dubai, and Warner himself provided a fast start in the chase, smashing 35 off 20. When he was the first wicket to fall after the powerplay, the Sunrisers needed 71 runs from 83 balls. But a middle-overs strangle meant they were eventually bowled out for 114 in 19.5 overs.”In regards to our batting, obviously very disappointed,” Warner said at the post-match press conference. “We didn’t get the job done. We were probably a bit complacent in the middle. We didn’t take the game on enough like we did the previous game (their victory against the Rajasthan Royals). I think we probably just felt that we were just going to get the runs easily, and then we sort of let the balls get ahead of the runs. That’s what happens in a game of cricket, if you give your opposition a sniff it can get taken away from you very fast.”Warner felt the batsmen should have assessed the conditions better and looked to play sensibly, especially with the required rate below six.He was fulsome in his praise for the bowlers, however, having pulled Kings XI back from their own brisk start.”I think our bowlers did an incredible job to bowl them out [restrict them] for under 130,” Warner said. “I felt that they did an exceptional job through the middle period to take wickets and to use the pitch to their advantage. I think in previous games we probably didn’t do that as well as we would have liked [with the ball], and today was a special day for them.”Warner himself adopted a changed approach while batting. In IPL 2020 so far, he had played more of an anchor role for the Sunrisers, averaging 37.22 before this game but at a strike rate of 124.07, well below his career strike rate. However, on Saturday he went hard at the bowling from the start, judging that it was the best time to score runs on this pitch.”Yeah, I was going back to my old-school days,” he said with a hint of a smile. “I was opening my front leg and just taking on the powerplay, something I haven’t done for a long time. It’s one of those things, where I felt that the best part of the powerplay was to try and go after it, go after their main bowler who swings the ball and is a very good bowler – [Mohammed] Shami. So I just tried to apply a little bit of pressure. And yeah, it’s fair to say that I’ve probably been quite reserved the last few years, so it was nice to open the front leg and show that I’ve still got that.”The Sunrisers have eight points with only three games in hand – and those are against the three teams currently at the top of the table: the Delhi Capitals, the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Mumbai Indians. They will not only have to win those for a realistic shot at making the playoffs, but will also probably depend on net run rate to go through.”I would like to think that the team will do that, definitely,” Warner said. “We’ve got three challenging games coming up, one here and two in Sharjah. If you want to win the tournament, you’ve got to beat the top three teams and that’s what we face in our next assignment.”

Last summer, Chelsea invested heavily in Mauricio Pochettino’s project, signing plenty of young, talented individuals.

One of those to arrive was Nicolas Jackson, and it’s fair to say that his start to life in the Premier League was extremely promising given that he’s still just 23 years old.

The Senegal international netted 14 Premier League goals while also providing five assists, which seems to have been enough to earn Todd Boehly’s trust.

Nonetheless, Chelsea are still in the market for a new striker this summer, but this could actually prove to be perfect for Jackson, especially considering who they look set to sign.

Chelsea close in on centre forward

According to a report from Spanish outlet AS, Chelsea are on the verge of signing Marc Guiu, who could ‘officially announce his goodbye’ imminently.

The promising young talent from Barcelona has a release clause in his contract of £5m, which Chelsea will pay.

Maresca is reportedly a huge fan of the Spaniard, and Chelsea have the advantage that the striker wants to play in the Premier League.

It’s said that the sporting project at Chelsea is a selling point, while the contract offer would be much higher than that of Barca’s with personal terms now accepted.

Just this morning, Fabrizio Romano has also added to the story, stating that the deal is ‘moving into the final stages.’

Related Chelsea are now on the verge of signing their answer to Olise

Chelsea are making early moves in the transfer window.

Posts ByMatt Dawson Jun 23, 2024 Why Marc Guiu is perfect for Nicolas Jackson

Guiu is a young talent who hasn't exactly enjoyed the same breakthrough as his teammate Lamine Yamal, but he could certainly follow suit in the near future.

Having progressed through the ranks in the Barca academy, the centre forward has been tipped for greatness, particularly after his cameos for the first team.

The 18-year-old became a hero at the start of last season, scoring the winning goal against Athletic Club as a substitute, and less than two months later, he already had a Champions League goal under his belt after netting against Shakhtar Donetsk.

But for just a taste of what he will bring to the table in the future, let’s take a look at his standout performance for Spain against Canada during the U17 World Cup last year.

Guiu vs Canada

Stats

Guiu

Minutes

80

Goals

1

Assists

1

Shots

6

Passes completed

10

Dribble success rate

100%

Duels won

3/3

Via Sofascore

As you can see, Guiu is the definition of a traditional centre forward, standing at 6-foot-1 and possessing great athletic ability, with his duel win rate being superb in that particular game.

The teenager is a huge threat from multiple attacking scenarios, which, according to football scout Jacek Kulig, stems from being an “incredibly dangerous player in the penalty area,” as shown by the pure volume of shots he managed in that game.

Kulig also described Guiu as “prolific,” and it’s clear that he comes alive during key moments rather than being heavily involved throughout.

However, given that Guiu is more of a traditional striker and more of a prospect, it’s reasonable to presume that he would play a supporting role for Jackson.

If the Spaniard remains at the club rather than being sent on loan, he could serve as a fantastic rotation option for Chelsea’s number 15, which in turn would see the sharpness of Jackson increase. Their main striker, particularly with Christopher Nkunku injured, often had to do everything himself which didn't increase his profitability at all.

Furthermore, the fact that Boehly has opted for a young attacker instead of a proven replacement should boost Jackson's confidence immensely.

Overall, Guiu isn’t just a signing for the present but also for the future, and if he can play any role next season, that’d be a success.

Related No Jackson, £226m trio sign: Enzo Maresca's dream lineup at Chelsea

Chelsea are set for a busy summer with plenty of signings expected.

Posts ByTom Lever May 29, 2024

علّق أيمن يونس، نجم الزمالك السابق، على عدة قضايا تخص النادي، من بينها غياب بعض النجوم عن جلسة تصوير الزي الجديد للفريق، بالإضافة إلى أزمة المهاجم التونسي سيف الدين الجزيري.

وقال أيمن يونس في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورت”: “غياب زيزو وشيكابالا عن جلسة تصوير زي الزمالك الجديد كان غريبًا بالنسبة لي جدًا، غيابهما صعب لأنهما نجما الفريق، لا يصح أن تكون الصور بدونهما”.

طالع أيضًا | ترتيب هدافي الدوري المصري بعد هدف ناصر منسي في مباراة الزمالك والاتحاد السكندري

وتابع: “أزمة الجزيري كبيرة جدًا، لكن لا بد أن تنتهي بشكل صحيح، هو لاعب رائع، قد تكون علاقته الفنية انتهت مع الزمالك، وعلى النادي أن يُفكر في الخطوة القادمة”.

واختتم: “العلاقة بين الجزيري والزمالك تنتهي الآن، لأن هناك أزمة بالفعل، لكن لا بد أن تحدث تسوية عادلة للجزيري والنادي، والزمالك لا بد أن يُفكر في المرحلة القادمة بشكل مختلف بسبب الضغوط المالية التي يُعاني منها”.

يذكر، أن محامي الجزيري تقدم بشكوى ضد نادي الزمالك لعدم حصول اللاعب على مستحقاته المتأخرة، وفي حال تأخر الأبيض عن موعد أقصاه 15 يومًا من الإخطار، يحق للنجم التونسي فسخ تعاقده مع القلعة البيضاء.

ويستعد الزمالك لمواجهة قوية اليوم الأحد، أمام الاتحاد السكندري، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

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A fase realmente não anda das melhores pelos lados do Bahia. Vindo de sete jogos sem saber o que é vencer no Campeonato Brasileiro, a situação do clube na tabela de classificação, de fato, tem deixado o elenco em estado de alerta.

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Tentando reverter a situação, a diretoria, por sua vez, anunciou a saída de Dado Cavalcanti, não demorando muito para acertar com um novo treinador, sendo ele o argentino Diego Dabove.

Mesmo recém-chegado ao clube, o comandante já conseguiu realizar alguns treinamentos, porém não deu pistas de quem irá mandar a campo diante do Fluminense, na próxima segunda-feira, no Maracanã.Dividindo o elenco em grupos nesta sexta-feira, junto com seus auxiliares, chegaram a dar prioridade nas finalizações em boa parte do tempo.

Na 15ª colocação, o Bahia tem uma campanha parcial de 5 vitórias, somou 18 pontos em 17 jogos. No último compromisso,

The Gabba will now host only the final Test as the SCG shares the opening six white-ball games with the Manuka Oval

Daniel Brettig28-Oct-2020

Seldom has the term “open and shut case” carried more layers than those around Australia’s home international schedule for the 2020-21 season.Little more than 14 hours after the end of the Victorian government’s interminable Covid-19 lockdown of metropolitan Melbourne, it announced – along with Cricket Australia and the Melbourne Cricket Club – that the MCG would be able to host the Boxing Day Test against India after all, with crowds of up to 25,000 per day.At the same time in Perth, a city as untouched by Covid-19 as any in the world, the Western Australian Cricket Association’s chief executive Christina Matthews was left to throw her hands in the air in frustration. This was due to the fact that a state government lockdown of a different kind – that of WA’s hard border with the rest of the country and the world – ensured the state would go without international cricket for a full summer for the first time since 1976-77.Another contrast could be found – though somewhat less stark – in Sydney and Brisbane. In the Olympic city, the SCG was host to a surfeit of dignitaries to toast the fact that the ground would host even more international cricket than usual, as it will now share the opening six white-ball games of India’s tour with the Manuka Oval in Canberra.These fixtures landed in New South Wales largely because further north in Queensland, the state government was reticent to allow both Indian and Australian players and staff – including those returning from the IPL in the UAE – to quarantine and train in Brisbane. So from a time when, as reported by the , Queensland stood to host more than half of India’s matches, the Gabba will now see Virat Kohli’s team only for the final Test of a series that will first take in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.What these contrasting outcomes demonstrated, above all else, was that no state government’s maintenance of a hard border for health or political purposes might continue indefinitely without costs as well as benefits. The complete lack of international cricket in WA and the drastic reduction of the same in Queensland will leave a sour taste in the mouths of many cricket followers in both states, and likely to leave them wondering whether more ways could have been found to reach a happier outcome.As it stands, there is no certainty about whether WA will even be able to host the Perth Scorchers and their Big Bash League fixtures. That outcome would turn WACA memberships into the sorts of loyalty gestures that AFL club subscriptions were forced into becoming earlier this year when the league had to first play matches with no crowds, and then only allow them in small numbers in Queensland, WA and NSW. Matthews, having already seen WA miss out on an India Test in the original schedule, expressed her frustration with a good deal of restraint.”It is an extremely disappointing result for our members, fans and our cricket community that WA will miss out on hosting international cricket fixtures this summer,” Matthews said, doubtless through clenched teeth. “The WACA worked tirelessly with Cricket Australia and the WA government to find a way to bring international cricket to Perth. Limitations with border restrictions, and complexities around scheduling as a result of Covid-19, led to the decision to play the three-match ODI series at the SCG and Canberra’s Manuka Oval.There is no certainty about whether WA will even be able to host the Perth Scorchers and their BBL fixtures•Getty Images

“We are dealing with circumstances and obstacles beyond our control. We respect and understand that difficult decisions need to be made to ensure our country can secure as much international cricket as possible this summer. With world-class facilities and the opportunity for cricket fans to attend matches, we maintain that WA is well-prepared to host BBL matches this summer and we will continue to work closely with Cricket Australia and the WA government on this.”There had, given the enormous uncertainty around Melbourne in particular, been opportunities for WA to step up in terms of its fixtures this season. Had the Indian team and the returning Australian players from the IPL in the UAE been able to train as well as quarantine in Perth, the matches now bequeathed to Sydney and Canberra would have likely taken place at Perth Stadium. As would also be the case with the governments of South Australia and Queensland, initial talks with CA appeared positively geared in this direction before more protectionist views ultimately held sway.As had been seen with the AFL this season, the chance existed for a change in the balance of providing allotments that might never come again: it is hard to see the Gabba hosting another Grand Final, but the switch also allowed the league road test a night-time competition decider for the benefit of its broadcaster. Instead, prevarication and conservatism – in WA and Queensland in particular – allowed NSW to swoop on the start of the tour, while Victoria belatedly dialled down its Covid-19 numbers to offer the promise of a sparsely attended Boxing Day.The words of the NSW tourism minister, Stuart Ayres, were wound up for political effect but also carried an underlying truth: “I think this is a classic case of Queensland dropping the ball at second slip and NSW picking it up before it hits the ground. There’s been a strong track record of being able to create Covid-safe events here in NSW. We had worked with CNSW (Cricket New South Wales) and CA already for Covid-safe plans for the WBBL. There’s no doubt having those plans in place gave confidence to NSW police and NSW health to move quickly on the international arrangements.”We haven’t compromised on our hotel quarantine arrangements for the Indian team, we’ve been able to facilitate training arrangements for international and elite athletes in other sports and we’ve already a track record there and we’ve been able to tailor it for cricket. I think politics has been driving most decisions in Queensland, whether that’s who you let in or who you don’t let in, think it’s been entirely driven by the date of the election. Most unfortunate that rather than having sole focus on collaboration, health and data driving those decisions, it’s been political.”In effect, these machinations eventually served to bolster the order of priority that states such as Queensland and WA have always railed against, with the feeling that their chances for fixtures are always fighting losing battles against Australia’s two biggest states and capital cities. NSW, benefitting too from greatly improved relationships between the SCG trust and cricket administrators at both state and CA levels, have a bigger share than ever. Victoria, despite all the dramas of a locked-down 2020, has at least notional retention of the jewel in the MCG crown.Indians familiar with scheduling haggles that have seen – among other things – no Test match between Australia and India at Eden Gardens, the Asian equivalent of the MCG, since 2001 will have observed these events with something like mirth.Years ago, at a time of more fractious relations between CA and the BCCI, it was observed that the Australian governing body would know the date and venue of India’s arrival “when they get off the plane”. In 2020, via the vagaries of Australia’s federal model, the condition can be amended to “when they find somewhere to land”.

Having already welcomed Issahaku Fatawu on a permanent basis this summer, Leicester City are now reportedly set to sign their second fresh face of the window in a bargain deal.

Leicester transfer news

The Foxes have instantly been given a mountain to climb next season after losing both Enzo Maresca and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea on top of the pending consequences for breaking profit and sustainability rules.

The man left tasked with climbing that mountain is Steve Cooper. The former Nottingham Forest boss will be well aware of the challenge that awaits, but has at least welcomed Fatawu on a permanent basis in preparation for such a task.

What's more, Cooper may yet get more names through the door, with those at The King Power Stadium reportedly set to welcome a player with plenty of Premier League experience in a bargain deal.

According to The Telegraph, Bobby De Cordova-Reid is set to undergo a medical at Leicester before completing a free move following the expiry of his Fulham contract at the end of last season. The winger rejected offers to extend his deal at the London club and is now on course to become Cooper's second signing of the summer at Leicester.

Related Leicester City now eyeing move to sign "unique" £8m Ndidi replacement

The Foxes could make their move…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Jul 4, 2024

Earning a reported £35,000-a-week in West London, Reid represents a smart piece of business from Leicester, who have ticked the box for Premier League experience and versatility ahead of next season. As the Foxes look to replace the firepower of Dewsbury-Hall, welcoming Reid could go a long way this summer.

"Great" Reid offers crucial versatility

If it is to be a quiet summer at Leicester amid PSR concerns, then signing players who can solve more than just one problem will be the key. And that's exactly what Reid is capable of doing. The former Fulham man can play on the right of a back five, right-wing, central midfield and attacking midfield to hand Cooper a significant attacking boost in the absence of the likes of Dewsbury-Hall and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Summing up the winger's impact, Marco Silva was full of praise for Reid at Fulham, telling Sky Sports after he scored against Rotherham in January: "He deserves it because he's a top professional, he's a vocal guy and one of the great examples we have at the club in terms of focus, able to play in any position and he's always there.

"He deserves all the credit and he deserves these good moments and good weeks. It's important for us and him because he needs these type of moments to lift his confidence and he needs the confidence to keep going in the direction we want him to be. "Bobby has the capacity to score and tonight it was a great strike from him."

Now, it's Leicester who will reportedly benefit from what could quickly turn into one of their smartest deals of the summer.

تعثر يوفنتوس مجددًا في الدوري الإيطالي، بتعادل مخيب على ملعبه أمام فيورنتينا، في الوقت القاتل، ضمن الجولة 18.

تقدم خيفرين تورام في الدقيقة 20 لـ يوفنتوس بعد انطلاقة رائعة وتسديدة أروع سكنت شباك ديفيد دي خيا، ليعلن عن الهدف الأول لأصحاب الأرض.

طالع أيضًا.. يوفنتوس يرفض ضم لاعب مانشستر يونايتد

وفي الدقيقة 38، جاء الهدف من زميل الأمس، برأسية مويس كين الممتازة في شباك يوفنتوس.

قبل نهاية الشوط الأول، تألق ديفيد دي خيا وتصدى لهدف محقق أمام دوسان فلاهوفيتش، ليحافظ على التعادل وينتهي الشوط بهذه النتيجة.

في الدقائق الأولى من الشوط الثاني، سجل خيفرين تورام الهدف الثاني، وصنع الحدث في ملعب أليانز ليشعل المدرجات.

ظل يوفنتوس يسيطر على المباراة لكنه لم يتمكن من قتلها، ليتلقى هدفًا قاتلًا في الدقيقة 87 عن طريق ريكاركو سوتيل.

هذه التنيجة أعادت يوفنتوس للتعادلات، بالتعادل الـ11 في الموسم مع 7 انتصارات فقط، بالمركز السادس برصيد 32 نقطة وهو نفس رصيد فيورنتينا الذي يسبقه في المركز الخامس. أهداف مباراة يوفنتوس وفيورنتينا في الدوري الإيطالي

MatériaMais Notícias

Se o torcedor do Bahia ainda terá de aguardar para reencontrar a equipe no estádio, os jogadores e integrantes habituais da delegação terão a chance de reencontrar, após quase sete meses, a Arena Fonte Nova.

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Isso porque a Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) anunciou oficialmente a mudança de palco do jogo do Esquadrão válido pela 21ª Rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro frente ao Bragantino que, originalmente, estava agendada para às 21h (de Brasília) em Pituaçu.

Porém, apenas a data e horário foram mantidos, sendo agora o compromisso na casa mais popular do Esquadrão que, nos últimos meses, serviu como hospital de campanha para tratar pacientes acometidos com quadros menos intensos de Covid-19.

A última partida que o tricolor havia disputado na Arena Fonte Nova ocorreu em confronto válido ainda pela temporada futebolística do ano passado apesar de ter acontecido em 2021: o triunfo por 2 a 0 sobre o Santos na última rodada do Brasileirão 2020 no dia 25 de fevereiro.

أدلى المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول، آرني سلوت، بتصريحات صحفية بعد تعادل فريقه أمام مانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتعادل ليفربول مع نظيره مانشستر يونايتد بنتيجة 2/2، ضمن منافسات الجولة العشرين من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على ملعب “أنفيلد”.

وبهذه النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد ليفربول إلى النقطة 46 في المركز الأول في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بينما ارتقى رصيد مانشستر يونايتد عند النقطة 23 في المركز الثالث عشر.

اقرأ ايضاً.. ردود أفعال جماهير ليفربول على أداء محمد صلاح أمام مانشستر يونايتد: أفضل من هنري 10 مرات

وقال آرني سلوت في تصريحات لـ”BBC SPORTS” عما إذا كان قد قلل من شأن مانشستر يونايتد: “لا، لا أعتقد أن هذا له أي علاقة بالأمر. الأمر يتعلق فقط بدخولهم إلى منطقة دفاعية منخفضة واللعب هنا”.

وأكد المدرب الهولندي: “لم نتفاجأ بأي شيء فعلوه، لقد لعبوا بهذا الأسلوب لعدة أسابيع، ربما كان الشيء الوحيد المختلف بعض الشيء هو أنهم ركلوا الكرة طويلاً في الغالب”.

وأضاف سلوت: “إنهم يتمتعون بالجودة مع الكرة وبدونها، ومن الصعب اللعب من خلالها. كانت المساحة مفتوحة للغاية عندما بدأوا اللعب، يمكنك أن ترى مدى جودتهم أكثر إذا حاولوا اللعب”.

وأفاد سلوت: “خلال أول 75 دقيقة، لعب أونانا الكرة طوليًا وفي كل ركلة حرة حصلوا عليها، كانوا يوجهونها للأمام. وفي آخر 15 دقيقة، كان بإمكانك أن ترى مدى جودة لعبهم فوق الأرض”.

وعن شعوره بالامتنان لحصوله على نقطة: “الناس ينسون كل الفرص التي أتيحت لنا. لقد حصلوا على فرصة مفتوحة من ماجواير. لقد حصلنا على فرص أكثر منهم بكثير ولكن في النهاية كان من الممكن أن نخسر المباراة بالتأكيد مع فرصة ماجواير”.

وعن أداء ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، أجاب: “قدم ترينت معظم المباريات الجيدة للغاية للنادي. لم تكن اليوم أفضل مبارياته”.

وواصل: “في بعض الأحيان لم يكن جرافينبيرخ قريبًا بما يكفي منه من أرنولد، لذا كانت المواجهة بين اثنين ضد واحد. أعتقد أن الفضل في ذلك يعود إلى جودة دالوت وبرونو فرنانديز”.

وأشار سلوت: “على مدار المباراة قمنا بخلق فُرص أكثر منهم لكن التأخر ثم التقدم 2-1 وبعدها تلقي فرصة كبيرة بالنهاية فستأخذ تلك النقطة”.

وأنهى قائلاً: “بسبب الفرصة الكبيرة التي حصلوا عليها بنهاية المباراة يجعلني ذلك أشعر بنوع من الارتياح بالتعادل”.

Galle Gladiators captain full of admiration for trio of Amir, Lakshan and Thushara – who have hunted as a pack

Andrew Fidel Fernando15-Dec-2020

Galle Gladiators found two effective local seamers late in the league stage, had Mohammad Amir hit serious form ahead of the knockouts, and now think they have the best seam attack at the Lanka Premier League. This is what their captain Bhanuka Rajapaksa said on the eve of the final against Jaffna Stallions.His words are not unsubstantiated. The two seamers with the most wickets in the league are both Gladiators bowlers – Amir and Dhananjaya Lakshan having claimed 10 wickets apiece. Lakshan’s tally is from three fewer bowling innings than Amir, but it is Amir, Rajapaksa said, who has inspired and guided the younger bowlers in the team.In their last four matches, Gladiators have taken their wickets at an average of 18.78 – easily the best in the league in that period.”When Amir was doing well in the early matches, he didn’t have a lot of new-ball support. He talked to me and said, ‘Bhanu, while I’m trying to get wickets I also have to bowl dot balls.’ But he’s been very good with everyone and he shared his experience. I hear what Amir talks about with the younger players, and he makes a lot of valid points. I think a lot of our recent success in the powerplay is down to that.”He’s told our young bowlers how to seam the ball – things they don’t know. He helps them in pressure situations as well. For a lot of us this is our first time playing in a tournament like this. What he does now is he gets us wickets with the new ball, and he can bowl for wickets because we now also have Dhananjaya Lakshan and Nuwan Thushara. Our seam attack is better than everyone else’s.”Thushara has been especially good at taking the pressure off Amir in the early overs, Rajapaksa said. A 26-year-old who delivers the ball round-arm, Malinga style, Thushara has taken two wickets in each of Gladiators’ last two matches. He hadn’t played in any of Gladiators’ five successive losses to start the tournament. Since he has come into the XI, Gladiators have won three out of four games.”Nuwan Thushara brought a lot of balance to the side,” Rajapaksa said. “Amir was bowling well with the new ball, but he didn’t have a lot of support. And when Lakshan Sandakan, Dhananjaya Lakshan and Amir also get wickets through the middle overs, it’s easy for a captain. Two of them anyway are senior bowlers (Amir and Sandakan). Them doing well allows us to play with one fewer bowler and cover the difference with part-timers.”Rajapaksa also had praise for Dhananjaya Lakshan in particular. The 22-year-old had largely been unheard of until the LPL. But during this tournament, he has generated substantial inswing to the right-hander, and also unveiled a variety of slower balls, most of which have been brilliantly directed. In addition to all this, he also hit a crucial 31 not out off 23 balls to help get Gladiators to their target in the semi-final.”Dhananjayaa Lakshan is one of the most valuable finds of the LPL,” Rajapalsa said. “He’s got a big future. If we guide him well through the system, he’s a bowler who can swing it like Nuwan Kulasekara. He can bat in the middle order and gives it 100% in the field as well. I have a lot of confidence in him as a captain because in tough situations he’ll come and say ‘Bhanu aiya, I’ll win the match for you.’ We’ve got a few good youngsters in the side, but he has stood out.”