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A huge Newcastle United transfer claim has been made regarding their pursuit of Diego Carlos…

What’s the talk?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Magpies will make another move to land the Brazil defender this week as they attempt to bolster Eddie Howe’s squad. Sevilla are said to be working hard to avoid cashing by rejecting the Toon’s interest so far.

Romano tweeted: “Newcastle will push again in the next hours for Diego Carlos. Sevilla are trying to resist in every way as they did for Koundé/Chelsea deal last summer – but Newcastle are willing to insist. Key hours ahead. #NUFC Diego already agreed personal terms days ago. He’s waiting.”

Fans will be delighted

Newcastle fans will be delighted with this update for several reasons. Firstly, the claim that Carlos is ‘waiting’ after agreeing personal terms with the club shows that there is a willingness from the defender to make the switch to St James’ Park.

This shows that he is eager to join the club and is passionate about a transfer to Newcastle, which fans will surely love in comparison to a player who needs to be convinced. The 28-year-old wants the move and the Magpies now need to find an agreement with the Spanish outfit to get it done.

The supporters will also be buzzing with Romano’s tweet as it shows that Nick Hammond, Eddie Howe and PIF are not willing to give up easily. They could have admitted defeat and moved further down their list of targets, potentially lowering the ceiling on the quality of player they can bring to the club, but instead are doing their best to land the man who could be their top target.

Fans will love this as it shows ambition and a desire to sign the best possible players to bolster the squad in the January transfer window. With Newcastle currently sat 19th in the Premier League and on just one win after 20 matches, reinforcements are needed to aid their bid to avoid relegation from the top flight, and this is why working hard to sign a player like Carlos could delight the Toon Army.

The centre-back has averaged a superb SofaScore rating of 7.16 in La Liga this season, showing that he can perform to a high level on a consistent basis in a top European league. The newly-signed Kieran Trippier is the only Newcastle player (7.30) who has averaged a higher rating than Carlos this term, and that is based on a small sample size, which highlights how big of a potential signing the Sevilla defender could be.

AND in other news, “He is set to join Newcastle”: Insider’s early morning update will leave fans buzzing…

It was another day of toil for the Indian bowlers as Sri Lanka reached a seemingly invincible position in the second Test

The Bulletin by Siddhartha Talya27-Jul-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene piled on the agony as the Indian attack wilted•AFPSri Lanka reached a seemingly invincible position in the second Test on another day of toil for the Indian bowlers with their two batting mainstays, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, achieving individual landmarks on a placid track against a spineless attack that has left India’s batsmen with another Test to save.Sangakkara maintained his aggressive approach in the morning session, equally ruthless against the seamers and the spinners, while Jayawardene was more sedate to begin with, offering his partner much of the strike. The start was almost perfect for the home side: Sangakkara, whose confidence was evident in his standing well outside the crease, drove Abhimanyu Mithun through either side of the pitch for fours off the first two deliveries.The Indian seamers had erred in length on the first day by bowling consistently short and they tried to make amends on the second, getting the batsmen to play forward. Both Mithun and Ishant Sharma pitched the ball fuller but, with no assistance from the conditions, they had little hope of making inroads. Too often they strayed on to the pads, to be flicked and driven through the on side; Sangakkara, especially, was unforgiving of any half-volley that came his way. He did drop his guard on occasion, though, edging one just after second slip had been removed by MS Dhoni – one of three consecutive boundaries off Mithun that helped him reach 150.Jayawardene, who continued his prolific run at the SSC, opened up against Ishant, who served some juicy deliveries on the pads to be taken for three fours – through fine leg, midwicket and over mid-on. While there was a bit more bounce on offer for the spinners, who targeted a couple of rough patches on the track and attacked with more close-in fielders, the pair used their feet to ensure there weren’t many quiet periods. Sangakkara employed the sweep and kept piercing the off-side field with cuts and dabs, and both batsmen charged the spinners to clear mid-on and midwicket.Smart stats

Mahela Jayawardene’s century is his tenth at the SSC, which is the most by any batsman at a single venue. Don Bradman has nine at the MCG. Jayawardene’s tally of 2641 here is a record for most runs at a venue.

Kumar Sangakkara has become only the fourth batsman to score seven or more double-hundreds in Tests. Bradman leads with 12, while Brian Lara has nine.

Sri Lanka’s total of 642 for 4 declared is their third-highest against India, and their fifth score of 600 or more against them.

It’s the ninth instance of three or more Sri Lankan batsmen scoring hundreds in the same innings. Five of those have come against India.

In nine first innings at the SSC since 2000, Sri Lanka average 49.81, with 11 centuries. Other teams have batted first 11 times during this period, and average 25.92, with two hundreds.

Jayawardene and Sangakkara have added 4798 partnership runs, which is second only to the Tendulkar-Dravid combination among non-openers.

As he approached his third double-century at the SSC, Sangakkara went after Ojha, heaving him from outside off over midwicket and sweeping him twice to collect four fours in five balls. He reached the milestone streakily, edging Harbhajan just past slip, but found Rahul Dravid soon after lunch off Virender Sehwag to ease India’s agony.Jayawardene’s knock lacked the imperious demeanour of his captain’s. It was built – especially after Sangakkara’s dismissal – on steady accumulation and calculated strokeplay. With Thilan Samaraweera capitalising on the width provided by the spinners to find boundaries frequently through the off side, he tempered his approach, opting to nudge the ball around for singles and reserve his strength for the bad balls. When Harbhajan bowled short and wide, he forced him through the covers and when gifted with full delivery on the pads, he swept it past fine leg.A punch through the covers brought up his tenth century at the SSC – the most by a player at a venue, surpassing Don Bradman’s nine tons in ten matches at the MCG. Once that landmark was achieved, he stepped up with a couple of delightful inside-out drives over extra cover and a huge six wide of midwicket while Samaraweera eased to another half-century.Such was India’s helplessness that their most experienced bowler, Harbhajan, had to resort to bowling down the leg side to contain the batsmen. Ojha followed suit but with their expertise playing the sweep and the ease with which they made room to execute the cuts, the batsmen were in complete control. In the end, it was Jayawardene’s tired chip to midwicket that prompted a declaration, and gave Harbhajan his first wicket in the series, after conceding 245 runs and bowling 449 deliveries.On the two previous occasions the teams played at the SSC, Sri Lanka amassed a 600-plus score each time and won by an innings. But forcing a win in these conditions will be an arduous task. An indication of the challenge that lay ahead came from the smooth start by India’s openers Sehwag and M Vijay against a line-up missing the match-winners from Galle. There were a couple of moments of discomfort caused by the extra pace and bounce of the Sri Lankan seamers but the boundaries flowed from Sehwag’s blade, allowing the visitors to enjoy a rare phase of dominance on a so-far disappointing tour.

India’s recovery after a dispiriting defeat at the hands of New Zealand in their opening game was led by their bowlers, who cashed in on a breezy, overcast Dambulla day

The Bulletin by Siddhartha Talya16-Aug-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Virender Sehwag overcame an incisive early spell from Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers to steer India home•AFPIndia’s bowlers and Virender Sehwag led the recovery from a dispiriting defeat against New Zealand, helping their team overpower Sri Lanka and secure a bonus point to leave each of the three sides with a win at the end of the first round of matches. MS Dhoni’s luckless run at the toss continued, but Kumar Sangakkara’s decision to bat gave India first use of favourable conditions on a breezy, overcast Dambulla day and their bowlers cashed in. Sehwag then followed up with a steady innings that released the pressure created by early wickets and steered India to what was, in the end, a comfortable win.The ease with which India completed their win was in contrast to the struggle at the start of the innings, when batsmen found it difficult to negotiate the swing and movement their own seamers had troubled the hosts with. Dinesh Karthik’s edginess at the crease gradually developed into visible frustration and the one delivery he could have dispatched with ease, he slashed straight to third man. India’s two competitors for a middle-order slot, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, followed in successive overs and it appeared the Sri Lankan seamers had set up a low-scoring thriller.The wickets falling at the other end prompted Sehwag to restrain himself, except against a couple of free-hits. He reserved punishment for deliveries that were over pitched or wide. Those were a rarity, though, and it was not until the sixth over that he cracked Kulasekara for his first boundary. There was greater reliance on timing and using the pace of the seamers than on raw power: Sehwag’s boundaries down the ground were firm pushes and not flowing drives, and the areas through point and midwicket were pierced with consistency by his favoured cuts and stylish whips.Sehwag’s recovery effort was supported by Suresh Raina in a half-century stand that infused the innings with fluency. Raina nudged the ball around, and gave the more assured Sehwag a fair share of the strike, before a rush of blood drove him to pull straight to deep square leg with the score on 91.A flurry of boundaries from Sehwag’s blade, however, crushed any Sri Lankan hopes. Again, it was the loose deliveries that were punished and the momentum had swung India’s way. Suraj Randiv dropped short and was slashed for successive fours, and Mathews doled out long hops, one of which was smashed over the ropes. India were coasting towards victory and Sehwag towards his century, but the end was not without drama. With Sehwag on 99 and India requiring a run for a win, Randiv overstepped by a massive margin, depriving Sehwag of a century even though he was thumped over the long-off boundary.The ending was as dramatic as the start of the game, when Praveen Kumar castled Upul Tharanga with an outswinger off the first ball of the day. The challenge was thrown at Sri Lanka under cloudy skies and the batsmen struggled against the swing and deviation off the pitch. Mahela Jayawardene showed glimpses of his solidity during his brief stay but was trapped in front by a Praveen delivery that moved back in late. Extra pace accounted for Sangakkara, who top-edged a pull to be caught in the deep. The assurance that featured prominently in his knocks during the Test series was absent during Samaraweera’s stay; the seamers had him hopping around until he almost contrived to spoon a short-of-a-length delivery to short midwicket.Tillakaratne Dilshan was not comfortable at the crease, but countered the swing better than the rest, whipping Praveen’s inswingers through square leg and then latching on anything short, scoring three boundaries off the pull. He settled in and was at greater ease once the left-arm spin of Pragyan Ojha was introduced, making room to cut from the stumps and maintain a steady flow of runs with Angelo Mathews. But Dilshan succumbed to temptation when the ball was tossed up, and top-edged a slog-sweep to scupper a recovery he had initiated.Ravindra Jadeja bowled a nagging line and had Sri Lanka in further trouble, dismissing Mathews and Chamara Kapugedera with straighter ones. Though the tail, led by Randiv, resisted, it proved inadequate in the wake of Sehwag’s response.

Wolves could sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha as a potential Ruben Neves replacement, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Palhinha impressing for Sporting

The 26-year-old has been an influential figure at the heart of Sporting’s midfield this season, with 16 Primeira Liga appearances to his name, not to mention three goals.

Palhinha has been linked with a move to Wolves in recent days, as Bruno Lage continues to eye up squad reinforcements moving forward.

It could be that the Portuguese is viewed as a long-term successor to compatriot Neves, who has been tipped to move to Arsenal at the end of the season.

The Latest: Journalist talks up move

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke claimed that Palhinha could be the ideal man to come in and fill the possible void left by Neves this summer:

“In the summer, if Ruben Neves wants to leave, Palhinha might be a ready-made replacement.”

The Verdict: Ideal Neves replacement

The hope is that Neves stays put at Wolves for many years, given his quality, but there is always the risk that his head could be turned by a big move elsewhere.

Should that happen, Palhinha looks tailor-made to come in as a replacement, having been described as a ‘special player’ by Sporting manager Ruben Amorim.

The midfielder has enjoyed an 86.7% pass completion rate in the league this season, as well as averaging a hugely impressive 3.4 tackles.

In comparison, Neves has 82.6% passing and 2.2 challenges per game, showing that the Sporting star could even prove to be an upgrade if he transitions well into English football.

In other news, some Wolves fans have gushed over a key transfer update. Read more here.

Wolves could still make a last-gasp move for Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey this month, according to a late transfer rumour which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Ramsey leaving Juve?

The Welshman has struggled to make his mark during his time in Italy, only registering six goals and six assists since arriving from Arsenal in 2019.

Juve are thought to be keen on offloading Ramsey before the January transfer window ends, and Wolves have been linked with a move in the recent past.

Leeds have also been backed to sign him, though, as a return to England for the rest of the season potentially comes to fruition.

The Latest: Wolves tipped to make late move for Ramsey

According to Calciomercato [via Sport Witness], Wolves’ move for Ramsey could ‘resolve’ itself at the 11th hour.

It is stated that ‘Jorge Mendes takes care of it’, suggesting that the agent could get a deal over the line for the 31-year-old, who has scored 20 goals in 71 caps for Wales.

The Verdict: Strong last-gasp addition

If Wolves sign Ramsey before deadline day ends, it could prove to be a bonus during an already positive month on the pitch at Molineux, following four wins in a row in all competitions.

While the Welsh midfielder arguably isn’t at his peak anymore, he has proven Premier League pedigree – 40 goals and 51 assists – and could complement the deeper-lying pair of Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves.

With Wolves looking to finish in the European places this season, Ramsey could add a sprinkling of stardust to provide more depth and quality in key matches between now and May.

In other news, some Wolves fans are happy with an update on one player. Find out who it is here.

The show went on as Pakistan reached 265 for 7, an innings lit up by Shahid Afridi then Abdul Razzaq and also dominated by Graeme Swann who claimed 4 for 37 in a superb display of offspin

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan at Lord's20-Sep-2010
ScorecardUmar Gul was unplayable with the old ball as England succumbed to defeat•Getty ImagesPakistan took the one-day series to a decider as they secured a 38-run victory at Lord’s with their bowling attack again showing its match-winning qualities, after England’s openers had seemingly put their on track to take the series with a 113-run stand. The spinners struck vital blows in the middle-order, then Umar Gul and Shoaib Akhtar became a handful under the floodlights. Earlier, a fearsome late assault from Abdul Razzaq, who hit 40 off his last 10 balls, gave Pakistan a powerful surge.Under normal circumstances we would now be in for a thrilling end to the season at The Rose Bowl, but this match was played under a horrid atmosphere of legal threats from the England team following Ijaz Butt’s extraordinary outburst the day before. Andrew Strauss admitted his team were reluctant participants, but felt the best thing was to complete the series as planned although it took a meeting that stretched into the early hours to decide.Whatever England’s mindset, once the game was on they wanted to be professional and will know a series-clinching victory was there for the taking. They’d been given the ideal platform by Strauss and Steve Davies – which had seemingly nullified Razzaq’s innings – but as the floodlights started to take effect on the late-September evening conditions became tougher. However, credit also has to go to Pakistan’s bowlers who came back superbly with the spinners proving a handful on a dry surface while Gul was again outstanding.Strauss flew out of the blocks as Shoaib’s first three overs cost 30 and after the initial Powerplay England were 73 without loss with 10 boundaries; in the rest of the innings they only managed another 10.Strauss went to a run-a-ball fifty, his third in a row as he became the second leading run-scorer in ODIs this year, while Davies wasn’t far behind until he dragged Saeed Ajmal into his stumps. That wicket brought England to a shuddering halt as Strauss lost the strike and Jonathan Trott, who earlier in the day was involved in an altercation with Wahab Riaz in the nets, struggled to bed in.The ECB played down the incident between Trott and Riaz, but it was a clear sign of how far the relationship between the two sides has fallen in recent weeks. Trott appeared uneasy in the middle before watching the ball roll back into his stumps from a defensive push against Shahid Afridi. Pakistan didn’t try to hide their pleasure at Trott’s departure.They took control a short while later when Strauss fell to his favourite cut shot, picking out backward point perfectly off Shoaib and it left two new batsmen having to settle with the scoring-rate rising. Paul Collingwood, who missed the previous match with a virus, has struggled for most of the season and looked bereft of form before inside-edging Gul into his stumps as England slipped to 149 for 4.Ian Bell, recalled to the side following his match-winning 107 in the CB40 final on this ground on Saturday, played himself in calmly but having used up 41 balls to reach 27 then drove Ajmal straight to cover. It was down to Eoin Morgan, but he couldn’t find anyone to stay with him as Michael Yardy chopped on and Tim Bresnan played all round Gul. England’s last chance went when Morgan skied a drive and Mohammad Yousuf, never the sharpest in the field, took a fine running catch at mid-off.Pakistan’s innings had progressed in fits and starts, but was ended in grandstand style by Razzaq who plundered 10 boundaries in the last two overs from James Anderson and Bresnan. Splaying his front leg to drive through the off side during the final Powerplay the quicks couldn’t adjust amid the onslaught.Afridi, playing his 300th ODI, had also supplied his own fireworks and played like a man wanting to make more than a cricketing point. He launched his fourth ball, the last one of Graeme Swann’s impressive four-wicket spell, into the second tier of the pavilion and the MCC member who tried to catch it finished with a bloodied face. The Pakistan physio came to his aid, and the member insisted on staying in his seat to watch the remainder of the action. Afridi reached 33 off16 deliveries at the peak of his assault, but miscued a slower ball from Bresnan to long-on.The star of England’s bowling display was Swann with a wonderful ten overs of offspin. Announced as one of the four candidates for ICC Cricketer of the Year – having been omitted from the original long list in a major blunder – he made his customary first-over breakthrough with a classical offspinner’s dismissal as Asad Shafiq was bowled through the gate when he tried to drive. Yet, even the normally jovial Swann couldn’t manage his usual expansive celebrations- a sure sign that England would rather not have been playing this match.Swann added Yousuf, Mohammad Hafeez and Fawad Alam to his haul and Pakistan were fading, but they had power to come and Razzaq’s blows proved decisive. However this series, which has included some outstanding one-day cricket, will only be remembered for the wrong reasons. Whoever wins on Wednesday.

Guyana are aiming to replicate the performance that helped them win the Caribbean Twenty20 during their campaign in South Africa, their captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has said

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Sep-2010Guyana are aiming to replicate the performance that helped them win the Caribbean Twenty20 during their Champions League campaign in South Africa, their captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has said. The team arrived in South Africa yesterday and Sarwan said his players were determined to go a step further than Trinidad & Tobago did last year, when Darren Ganga’s team made the final of the inaugural Champions League but lost to New South Wales.”It’s important that we should do the things we did that helped us to win the Caribbean competition,” Sarwan said. “We have lots of young, inexperienced players, but they are all very capable to springing surprises on the other teams.”Trinidad & Tobago were the runners-up last time, and we hope to go one better. They did so well last year when they weren’t expected to, and we beat them in the Caribbean T20, so that gives us lots of confidence. Their (T&T) performance is a motivating factor and we would like to go a step further than them, and my team is looking forward to the challenge.”Guyana qualified for the Champions League by beating Barbados in the final of the Caribbean Twenty20 and are pooled in Group B along with Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, Highveld Lions and South Australia Redbacks.Sarwan said that though his team’s preparations had focused on the opposition, he was more concerned with producing the same intensity that won Guyana a berth in South Africa. “We have been studying a lot of players but we are more focussed on what we have to do,” Sarwan said. “I am trying to do what we did in the Caribbean and what helped us win that tournament. We are looking to stick to our basics and try to do the best we can.”Guyana’s first match of the Champions League is against Bangalore at Centurion on September 12.

Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas has shared some transfer news out of Tottenham Hotspur involving Borussia Monchengladbach star Matthias Ginter.

The Lowdown: Conte makes demands?

The Lilywhites and transfer chief Fabio Paratici, according to reports, are operating under the orders of manager Antonio Conte as the Spurs head coach makes summer window demands behind-the-scenes.

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Most recently, it has been claimed that Conte has personally requested the signing of a left-sided centre-half (Calciomercato), as well as Juventus midfielder and USA international Weston McKennie (La Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness).

The former Chelsea manager, it appears, is seeking to re-shape the Spurs squad in his own image whilst gifting his new side the best chance of success for his first full campaign.

Now, as relayed by Thomas, it appears Tottenham and Conte are eyeing a new target in soon-to-be free agent Ginter.

The Latest: Sky reporter makes Ginter claim…

According to Sky sources, Spurs, and by extension their manager, are now eyeing the 28-year-old alongside an array of top clubs.

Ginter has already confirmed his intention to leave Gladbach on a free this summer as his contract nears expiry.

Subsequently, this has alerted Tottenham, alongside the likes of Aston Villa, Juventus and London rivals West Ham.

“Aston Villa among the clubs interested in Matthias Ginter on a free transfer, acc. to Sky Germany,” he explained (via Twitter).

“Separately, I’m aware he has been watched by a lot of top clubs this season including Juventus, Tottenham and West Ham.”

The Verdict: Make a move?

As Conte reportedly earmarks the signing of a central defender as a top summer priority, as backed by The Athletic, there are few better than Ginter on a potential Bosman deal.

Described as an ‘underrated’ player by former Germany boss Joachim Low, the international’s estimated £21.6 million valuation can be totally bypassed this summer – an opportunity Tottenham surely must consider.

According to WhoScored, only Gladbach keeper Yann Sommer has played more league minutes than mainstay Ginter.

The towering 6 foot 3 ace has also managed the second-most clearances per 90 (3) out of their squad in that time, all whilst coming in as Adi Hütter’s fourth-best Bundesliga performer by average match rating (6.83, WhoScored).

An accomplished and proven German top flight ace, we won’t be surprised to see more Spurs reports emerge on Ginter as the summer window nears.

In other news: Tottenham official sent to club as Paratici now eyes ‘imperious’ ex-Man City man for Conte! Find out more here.

Thisara Perera’s five-wicket haul ensured Australia’s total wasn’t too imposing but Michael Hussey at least gave the hosts a competitive score, and eased a small amount of the pressure on him in the lead-up to the Ashes

The Bulletin by Brydon Coverdale at the MCG03-Nov-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Angelo Mathews and Muttiah Muralitharan celebrate Sri Lanka’s extraordinary victory•Getty ImagesSmart Stats

The 132 run partnership between Angelo Matthews and Lasith Malinga is a record for the ninth wicket in ODIs surpassing the previous best of 126 between Kapil Dev and Syed Kirmani.

Sri Lanka have now won nine matches and lost 32 out of 41 matches played between the two teams in Australia. Five of their wins have come at Melbourne.

Sri Lanka’s victory was the seventh occasion that a team has gone on to win by one wicket in matches played in Australia.

Xavier Doherty’s four for 46 on debut is fourth on the list of best bowling performances by Australian bowlers on debut in ODIs.

Michael Hussey solitary boundary was only the second time in his ODI career that he has scored one four in a score of over 50. The previous such occasion also came against Sri Lanka at Melbourne in 2008.

Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga produced one of the great one-day international fightbacks to clinch an improbable victory for Sri Lanka, extending Australia’s losing streak to six international games since July. The visitors seemed destined for a humiliating loss when they crashed to 8 for 107 chasing 240, but Mathews and Malinga kept fighting, spurred on by noisy support from a crowd dominated by Sri Lankan fans.They compiled the highest ninth-wicket partnership in ODI history, beating a 27-year-old record set by Kapil Dev and Syed Kirmani at the 1983 World Cup, and the 132-run stand left Australia’s confidence in tatters. Malinga belted his way to his first one-day half-century and Mathews played the guiding hand with a wonderful unbeaten 77 as the pair raced towards their target with plenty of time to spare.They had a scare when Malinga was run out with the scores level, trying for the winning single to cover, but Muttiah Muralitharan finished the job with a flick off his pads for four to fine leg off Shane Watson. It will be Muralitharan’s final international act at the MCG, where he was called for throwing 15 years ago, but this time there was nothing but roaring applause.Apart from the debutant left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty, who had a dream start to his international career with 4 for 46, none of Australia’s bowlers looked seriously threatening against Malinga and Mathews. The stand-in captain Michael Clarke had a furrowed brow for most of the final hour, searching for a way to break the stand, but curiously did not employ the aggressive Steven Smith after the 25th over.Malinga was the aggressor and finished with 56 from 48 balls, but Mathews was the architect of the comeback. His 84-ball innings included eight fours and one six, and was defined by a regular pinpointing of gaps in the field. Mathews struck the ball cleanly and almost never looked in danger of losing his wicket.It was a brilliant response after several of Sri Lanka’s recognised batsmen threw their wickets away pursuing what should always have been a gettable chase. Doherty outsmarted the top order and had three wickets from his first two overs, having already effected a brilliant run-out when he hurled himself to his left at mid-on to stop a stinging Kumar Sangakkara drive then throwing from on his knees to remove Upul Tharanga, who had overcommitted to the run.The most important victim in his 4 for 46 was Sangakkara, who was guiding the chase with a stylish innings that ended on 49. Having seen Mahela Jayawardene trapped lbw by a skiddy arm-ball from Doherty’s second delivery in Australian colours, Sangakkara played for a straight one when he tried to deftly paddle over his shoulder, only to see the ball turn past his bat to take his leg stump.The previous ball, Doherty had picked up Chamara Silva, who injudiciously tried to slog over the leg side; his skied top edge was taken by a backpedalling Watson at mid-on. It was a superb spell from Doherty, who in one match has significantly enhanced his chances of making Australia’s squad for the World Cup, which will be played on spin-friendly subcontinental surfaces.By the end of the contest he’d added Nuwan Kulasekara lbw, but his efforts were not enough. Things started well for Australia, when the dangerous Tillakaratne Dilshan top-edged an unwise pull off Peter Siddle and was caught at square leg, but Mathews and Malinga saved the day.They built on the solid work of Thisara Perera, whose 5 for 46 included three quick wickets that gave the visitors an early look at Australia’s lower middle order, until Michael Hussey set up camp to guide Australia to the 50th over. Hussey entered the match fresh from 0 and 3 in a Sheffield Shield game and he was facing questions over his place in the Test side.His limited-overs value has not been in doubt, and he ticked the score along well in a 67-run stand with Shaun Marsh, who batted in the unfamiliar No. 6 position and was caught behind off Suraj Randiv for 31. Hussey’s only boundary came from his 71st delivery and it was the ball that brought up his half-century, a strong pull over square leg off Kulasekara.His unbeaten 71 was unattractive but effective; he struck only one boundary along with 50 singles, constructing more picket fences than you’d find in Melbourne’s outer suburbs. In other words, it was a typical Hussey one-day innings. He’d have liked a few more boundaries at the death; Australia needed more throughout their innings.Smith had broken a 23.3-over boundary-less streak before he became Perera’s fourth victim, edging behind for 12. Perera secured his second five-wicket haul in a 13-match ODI career in the final over, when he bowled John Hastings for 16. By then, Australia had eked out a respectable total.Sri Lanka could have chased far fewer, after Perera burst through Clarke, Brad Haddin and Cameron White in the space of two overs to leave Australia at 4 for 88. He halted the momentum Australia were building through Haddin, and by the time he bowled White with a terrific legcutter, Perera was on a hat-trick.He’d already had Clarke caught behind by a diving Sangakkara and Haddin wonderfully taken at point, where Dilshan intercepted a searing cut. In his first ODI since March, Haddin played some excellent shots, including a perfectly-placed crunch through a small gap at cover when he backed away during Perera’s second over.Haddin finished with 49 and it was a strong return to the opening role, where the Australians are likely to use him alongside Watson in the World Cup. But this day belonged to Mathews and Malinga, and, fittingly, to Muralitharan.

West Ham United are in the midst of a crucial period of their season in the Premier League and Europa League.

Tonight sees the Hammers take on Lyon in the Europa League once again to try and secure their place in the semi-finals.

While the east London club are also aiming to finish as high up the Premier League table as they can, it seems as though they may have to continue their efforts without one of their key figures.

What’s the news?

According to a recent tweet from journalist Jack Rosser, Irons defender Kurt Zouma is set to have “further scans” on an ankle injury he picked up during the 2-0 defeat against Brentford at the weekend.

Additionally, and rather worryingly, the Evening Standard reporter added that there is “some fear” that the Frenchman could be ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Since arriving at the London Stadium last August from fellow Premier League side Chelsea in a £29.8m deal, the centre-back has become a vital player for David Moyes. With 26 appearances to his name across all competitions, this shows how important he has been for his new club.

Moyes will be devastated

To highlight how impressive the 27-year-old has been for West Ham, he is currently the highest-rated centre-back in Moyes’ squad for his performances in the Premier League and Europa League according to WhoScored.

Also, with more clearances made in the league than any of his team-mates (123), the former Chelsea colossus has also won 73.9% of his duels in the current campaign, a higher success rate than any other Irons player to have been involved in more than five duels.

Taking all this into account, it’s safe to say that if the defender is ruled out for the rest of the season, it would be a devastating blow for West Ham and Moyes.

With that in mind, it seems as though the Hammers boss will have to make do with the other defensive options he has at his disposal and hope that they can maintain their fitness until the season comes to an end.

In other news: Moyes can form “dangerous” duo as GSB plot bid for £25m gem who could “explode” at WHU