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تحدث أليسون بيكر، حارس مرمى فريق ليفربول، عن مباراة الغد المرتقبة أمام إيفرتون في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويستضيف ملعب “جوديسون بارك” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات الجولة السادسة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي، موسم 2022/23.

وقال أليسون في تصريحات للموقع الرسمي للنادي: “تريد أن تكون جزءًا من ديربي، تريد أن تكون جزءًا من المباريات حيث الأجواء عالية دائمًا من المشجعين”.

وأضاف: “لكن بصفتنا لاعبين كرة قدم، نحن محترفون، علينا أن نبقي تركيزنا على ما نحتاج إلى القيام به والأشياء التي نحتاج إلى القيام بها”.

وواصل: “يجب أن نستعد للمباراة بأفضل ما نستطيع ثم نحاول أداء كل شيء تدربنا عليه، وبعد ذلك سنكون قريبين من تحقيق أهدافنا”.

ومع ذلك، فإن ديربي ميرسيسايد هو مشهد يتطلع إليه أليسون وقد استمتع بلعب دوره منذ وصوله إلى الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز في عام 2018.

يستعد البرازيلي لتقديم ظهوره السابع في مباراة ضد إيفرتون، حيث يستهدف تحقيق فوز رابع.

وتابع: “اللاعبون الكبار دائمًا يريدون لعب هذا النوع من المباريات، المنافسة التي يمتلكها المشجعون، يلعبون معك على أرض الملعب، يبدو أنهم ذاهبون إلى الملعب ليلعبوا معًا”.

وأكد: “الأجواء التي يخلقونها لنا رائعة دائمًا عندما نلعب على أرضنا أو عندما نلعب في الخارج، إيفرتون ليس في أفضل لحظاتهم في المواسم الأخيرة ولكن عندما يصل الديربي، فإن المستويات تصبح متساوية، من الواضح أن الأمر يتعلق بمن لديه المزيد من الرغبة”.

واستمر: “علينا أن نبقي أذهاننا صافية للقيام بما نحتاج إلى القيام به على أرض الملعب، واستخدام مهاراتنا، واستخدام أفضل أداء لدينا للحصول على النقاط الثلاث، ولا نبتعد عن المشاعر التي تحصل عليها من الديربي، ولكن كن ذكيًا، العب مباراة جيدة وحاول الفوز”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. لامبارد يوجه تحذيرًا لـ كلوب ويؤكد جاهزية الصفقات الجديدة لمواجهة ليفربول وإيفرتون

وأوضح: “كل مباراة في الدوري الإنجليزي مهمة بالنسبة لنا، نحن نعلم أن كل مباراة لها نفس القيمة في نهاية الموسم، كل فوز له ثلاث نقاط، بغض النظر عما إذا كان ديربيًا أم لا”.

وأردف: “سنقاتل من أجل كل مباراة أمامنا للحصول على النقاط الثلاث، لتحقيق أهدافنا، نحن متحمسون حقًا لهذا الموسم وبشأن الأشياء التي يمكننا تحقيقها، لكن علينا التركيز على اللحظة”.

واختتم: “علينا التركيز على التحدي التالي الذي أمامنا، والتفكير في مباراة تلو الأخرى، خطوة بخطوة، ثم سنرى ما سيحدث في نهاية الموسم”.

There is little riding on the outcome of two Twenty20 internationals except perhaps the chance to take an edge into the ensuing 50-over tri-series

Jamie Alter in Colombo01-Sep-2009Match factsWednesday September 2
Start time 19.00 (13.30 GMT)Shane Bond will play for New Zealand after a two-year absence•AFP

Big PictureAfter a Test series in which they were run ragged by Sri Lanka, two Twenty20 internationals will probably be a welcome release for some of the New Zealand players. There is little riding on the outcome of two Twenty20 internationals except perhaps the chance to take an edge into the ensuing 50-over tri-series and New Zealand have been talking serious business in the build-up.On paper, a promising bat-versus-ball extravaganza is promised in either innings; Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan against Shane Bond – set for an international return – and Daniel Vettori, and, as the teams change over, Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor against Ajantha Mendis and Lasith Malinga. New Zealand will take some confidence from the fact that Muttiah Muralitharan won’t be playing due to injury. Bond’s return adds depth with the ball, so although Sri Lanka have been comfortably superior in recent weeks New Zealand may hope that changes in the coming days.Failing to win the World Twenty20 in England this summer, having done so well to reach the final, frustrated Sri Lanka and being soundly beaten in the one-off against Pakistan at home was no balm. The last time these two met, during the World Twenty20, Sri Lanka came out with a 48-run win in a pressure situation at Trent Bridge. On that occasion New Zealand were bamboozled by a magical spell of 3 for 9 from Mendis and ousted from a tournament where their batting failed to fire. The way the batsmen have faced spin so far on tour, Vettori will hope history doesn’t repeat itself.Form guide (last five matches, most recent first)Sri Lanka LLWWW
New Zealand LLWLWWatch out for…The return of Shane Bond. A spate of persistent injuries had already forced Bond to retire from Tests but in a dramatic turnaround of events he quit the ICL and is now on the verge of an international return. Bond’s Twenty20 international record (12 wickets from nine games at 20.33) isn’t the best and he’ll be aiming to improve that rather than get overawed by the occasion. This is a crucial moment in New Zealand cricket.Sanath Jayasuriya has been overshadowed by Dilshan’s heroics in recent times but that doesn’t mean the swashbuckler has necessarily run out of gas. After three patchy one-day games and a Twenty20 against Pakistan Jayasuriya is under pressure to justify his place in Sri Lanka’s plans at the age of 40, so what better opportunity to remind everyone of his worth than against New Zealand? After all, he averages 56.00 with bat and 14.80 with ball against them, with two Man-of-the-Match awards.It’s been a low-key tour for Brendon McCullum and now is the time for New Zealand’s most explosive batsman to stand up. The owner of the most famous century in Twenty20 cricket has had his share of troubles in the Tests and will look at the arena where he has been so successful to revive his fortunes. McCullum has yet to cross 39 in four matches against Sri Lanka, a stat that may just be at the back of his mind. After a poor Test series, McCullum is back for this contest, and may just take out his ire at the criticism he’s attracted. Sufficed to say, this man is itching for another bout of big hitting.Team newsMurali has been ruled out with a groin injury that flared up on day five at the SSC and the legspinner Malinga Bandara has been drafted in in his place. Opener Upul Tharanga has been rested and he has been replaced by the allrounder Farveez Maharoof. The other spinning allrounder, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, may also slot in. Angelo Mathews will return and there may be a debut for the rookie batsman Gihan Rupasinghe. Sri Lanka’s fast bowling attack is boosted by Lasith Malinga.Sri Lanka: (probable) 1 Sanath Jayasuriya, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (capt/wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Chamara Kapugedera, 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Farveez Maharoof, 8 Thilan Thushara, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Kaushal Lokuarachichi/Malinga Bandara, 11 Lasith Malinga.New Zealand are likely to draft in a number of players with Bond’s return topping the bill. Bond and Kyle Mills will likely step into the role Chris Martin and Iain O’Brien filled during the Tests. Vettori didn’t confirm Mills’ selection but added that there will be a toss-up between Ian Butler and Nathan McCullum, who bowls offspin. Peter McGlashan will keep wickets to allow Brendon McCullum to clear his shoulders at the top. McCullum’s opening partner is slotted to be Ryder, meaning a likely promotion to No. 5 for Jacob Oram. The other allrounder’s spot will be contested between Neil Broom and Grant Elliott.New Zealand: (probable) 1 Brendon McCullum (wk), 2 Jesse Ryder, 3 Martin Guptill, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Jacob Oram, 6 Neil Broom/Grant Elliott, 7 Peter McGlashan (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori (capt), 9 Kyle Mills, 10 Shane Bond, 11 Nathan McCullum/ Ian ButlerPitch and conditionsScattered thunderstorms are forecast for game day. Only two Twenty20s have been played here and one both occasions the reputation of the Premadasa forced the team winning the toss to bat. Chasing under lights has always been difficult at the venue but India’s Pathan brothers proved it could be done.Stats and TriviaMcCullum is the leading run-scorer in Twenty20 internationals, with 689 in 26 games at an average of 31.31 and a strike rate of 123.69. The leader for Sri Lanka, and second in the world, is Jayasuriya, with 541 runs at 30.05 and a strike rate of 138.36.Sri Lanka and New Zealand have met each other four times in Twenty20s, with Sri Lanka leading the head-to-head 3-1. New Zealand’s only victory came in Auckland in December 2006 to share the series.Sri Lanka have yet to win a Twenty20 at the Premadasa in two attempts.Quotes”He’s over 40 but doesn’t need any motivation. You look at him at practice, running around like a kid, full of enthusiasm and you realise just what a special player he is.”
“Well, it just gets better! That makes it easier because he’s a quality bowler so those are the differences between the last game.”
Vettori, when told during a press conference that Murali is not playing, points out a key difference from Trent Bridge.

West Ham are reportedly interested in signing young Sheffield United forward Daniel Jebbison, who is currently on loan at Burton Albion.

The Lowdown: Jebbison shining on loan

The 18-year-old moved to Burton on a temporary basis in order to earn more playing time and he is enjoying a productive time at the League One club. He has scored four goals in eight league starts this season and the hope is that he continues to pick up valuable first team minutes.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-developments-2/” title=”West Ham developments” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

While Sheffield United may hope to keep hold of their prized asset in the long-term, a new report suggests that they will find it tough.

The Latest: West Ham keen on move

According to TEAMtalk, the Hammers are ‘keeping tabs’ on Jebbison’s situation, with the report mentioning that he could return to the Blades in January.

Liverpool, Everton and Brighton are all mentioned as possible suitors as well, so there looks set to be an intense battle to sign him from the Championship club.

The Verdict: One for the future

It is vital that David Moyes plans for both the present and the future at West Ham, ensuring that the club is in a healthy situation for many years to come.

Signing exciting young talent is a key aspect of it and Jebbison falls into that category, having been hailed as ‘fantastic’ by Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards earlier this year.

The 18-year-old scored his first Premier League goal in only his second appearance at that level last season, netting the winner away to Everton – he scored six times in as many games for the Blades’ under-23s, too – so it would be encouraging to see him move to the London Stadium based on such promise.

In other news, West Ham have been linked with a high-profile signing. Find out who it is here.

أعلن مدرب نادي برشلونة، تشافي، قائمة الفريق التي ستخوض مباراة بايرن ميونخ في الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا 2022/2023.

ويلتقي برشلونة وبايرن ميونخ في ملعب “أليانز أرينا” يوم، الثلاثاء المقبل، في تمام الساعة التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة” بقيادة الحكم الهولندي، داني ماكيلي.

ويحتل برشلونة صدارة المجموعة الثالثة برصيد 3 نقاط ولكن بفارق الأهداف عن منافسه بايرن ميونخ بعد فوز الأول على فيكتوريا بلزن 5-1 والثاني 2-0 على إنتر ميلان.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدرب بوليفار يعدد عبر بطولات مزايا سافيو بعد الانضمام إلى الأهلي

🚨 CONVOCATÒRIA 🚨 #BayernBarça

Xavi convoca tots els jugadors del primer equip per viatjar a Munic pic.twitter.com/seMdKlE3j4 — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) September 11, 2022

قائمة برشلونة لمباراة بايرن ميونخ

حراسة المرمى: تير شتيجن، إينياكي بينيا، أرناو تينياس.

الدفاع: بيليرين، بيكيه، أروخو، كريستنسن، ماركوس ألونسو، جوردي ألبا، كوندي، إريك جارسيا، بالدي.

الوسط: بوسكيتس، بيدري، كيسيه، روبيرتو، فرينكي دي يونج، جافي، بابلو توري.

الهجوم: ديمبلي، ليفاندوفسكي، فاتي، ممفيس ديباي، رافينها، فيران توريس.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Vasco apresentou uma grande evolução defensiva com a chegada do técnico Zé Ricardo. E esse crescimento vai ser testado nesta quarta-feira, na partida contra o Avaí, às 21h45, na Ressacada, pela 27ª rodada do Brasileirão. Não por conta do poder ofensivo do adversário (pior ataque do campeonato com 16 gols), mas sim porque pela primeira vez o treinador vai mexer no setor. Isso porque Breno está suspenso pelo terceiro cartão amarelo e dá lugar a Paulão, que não atua desde o dia 23 de julho, quando saiu machucado contra o Atlético-MG.

Zé Ricardo mostra confiança no trabalho que desenvolveu no setor. Ele admite que Breno e Anderson Martins estavam formando uma boa dupla, mas acredita que a alteração forçada não vai trazer prejuízos se o time continuar com a disciplina tática sem a bola.

– Acredito que Breno e Anderson vem fazendo uma boa dupla de zaga, mas a equipe como um todo está funcionando nesse aspecto defensivo. Infelizmente, assim que eu cheguei o Paulão teve uma pequena contusão. Já está totalmente recuperado, treinando há bastante tempo. Acho que se o time estiver coeso e participativo na fase sem bola, isso não vai ser problema para a gente.

Desde que assumiu a equipe, Zé conseguiu manter a linha defensiva com Madson, Breno, Anderson Martins e Ramon. Em quatro jogos assim, a equipe levou só três gols, sendo que um deles irregular, já que Jô fez com o braço.

Um dos jogadores importantes da defesa vascaína, Ramon concorda com o treinador e diz que a entrada de Paulão não vai mudar muita coisa. Segundo ele, o zagueiro também é experiente e qualificado.

– Entre o Breno e o Paulão as características não mudam muito, são experientes. Vínhamos em uma sequência com a mesma linha de quatro, o que facilita. Mas não muda muito, vamos ajustar na conversa, no gesto. Não teremos diferença técnica ou de qualidade na defesa entre um ou outro – comentou o lateral-esquerdo.

RelacionadasFutebol NacionalAvaí x Vasco: prováveis times, onde ver, desfalques e palpitesFutebol Nacional10/10/2017AvaíLuanzinho pode ser a novidade do Avaí contra o VascoAvaí10/10/2017VascoNenê elogia preparação do Vasco durante recesso do BrasileirãoVasco10/10/2017

Venkatesh Prasad, India’s bowling coach, has said it is unfair to expect too much for fast bowler Ishant Sharma who is still relatively new to the international scene

Cricinfo staff13-Oct-2009

Venkatesh Prasad, India’s bowling coach, has said it is unfair to expect too much from fast bowler Ishant Sharma while he remains relatively new to the international scene.Ishant burst into prominence with a memorable Test series in Australia in 2007-08 but has struggled to find his lengths in one-day cricket in the last year. He averaged 31.48 and picked up 27 wickets in his first 20 ODIs. In 13 games in 2009, he has picked up 19 wickets at 31.42. The economy rate, though, has shot up from 5.34 to 6.19.”People are expecting too much too early,” Prasad told the . “To become one of the best, you need about 8000 to 10,000 hours of practice in your career. That amount of practice will mean eight to 10 years. In tennis someone who is good at 21 would have started playing at 11.”Usually we spot talent in cricket at 19 and by then that cricketer would have played for only three to four years. Ishant is an exciting talent but he is just 21. I started playing for India when I was 24. When you have played five years of domestic cricket you are more mature. We shouldn’t judge Ishant too early. We need to give him a lot of time. We expect too much from somebody with too little international experience. We are expecting too much from those who are just 20-21.”Prasad said Ishant’s drop in form could be because of a lack in confidence. “We go gaga and when someone is doing well and then when he has a bad patch we say he has lost this and lost that. We also need to open our eyes to the fact that everything favours the batsmen these days. There has been too much pressure on him and expectations from every quarter.” Former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath also said the criticisms could hurt Ishant’s confidence but dismissed the idea that he had to cut down his one-day load to improve.Zaheer Khan’s absence due to injury has weakened India’s pace attack but Prasad said this was an opportunity for the other bowlers to step up. “Ashish Nehra has been impressive in his comeback. What has helped him is his domestic experience. The others like RP Singh, Ishant and Munaf. I think they have all got what it takes to win matches.”Some experts have commented on the drop in pace of young Indian fast bowlers after a season but Prasad said he had not advised his charges to do so. “There was never a single moment in my two-and-a-half years with the Indian team when I told them to drop pace. I tell them to be consistent. If there is some sort of a technical flaw in their performance that is where I come in and I handle the technical part.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Passado, presente e… Futuro? O Palmeiras vai reencontrar às 20h desta quinta-feira, no Pacaembu, o técnico que o comandou nos primeiros meses desta temporada: Eduardo Baptista, hoje integrante da zona de rebaixamento com a Ponte Preta. Será o segundo jogo do Verdão após a saída de Cuca, o segundo com Alberto Valentim no comando. O interino não esconde o desejo de ser efetivado, mas sabe que o plano A da diretoria é Mano Menezes. O que está ao alcance dele, neste momento, é mostrar qualidade vencendo jogos. Um ele já venceu, domingo, contra o Atlético-GO.

Valentim disse nesta quarta-feira que deseja repetir a escalação do último domingo, com Willian como centroavante e tanto Deyverson quanto Borja no banco de reservas. Na Macaca, Eduardo terá o importante desfalque de Emerson Sheik, vetado pelo departamento médico.

O jogo será no Pacaembu porque o Allianz Parque receberá show de John Mayer na noite desta quarta.

Saiba tudo sobre a partida:

Data/Horário: 19/10/2017, às 20h
Local: Pacaembu, em São Paulo (SP)
Árbitro: Leandro Bizzio Marinho – SP (CBF)
Assistentes:Miguel Cataneo Ribeiro da Costa – SP (CBF) eGustavo Rodrigues de Oliveira – SP (CBF)
Onde acompanhar: Premiere ou tempo real do LANCE!(assista também no L! Sports Bar, na rua Professor Milton Rodrigues, 100, em São Paulo).
Parcial de ingressos: 10 mil vendidos

PALMEIRAS (técnico: Alberto Valentim)

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Desfalques: Guerra (lesionado), Mina (em recondicionamento) e Róger Guedes (afastado pela diretoria).
Pendurados:Fernando Prass, Bruno Henrique, Keno, Gabriel Furtado, Róger Guedes e Felipe Melo.

PONTE PRETA: Aranha; Nino Paraíba, Marllon, Rodrigo e Jeferson; Elton; Claudinho, Jean Patrick, Jádson e Danilo Barcelos; Lucca
Desfalques: Fernando Bob e Luan Peres (suspensos); Emerson Sheik (lesionado).
Pendurados:Naldo, Danilo Barcelos, Emerson Sheik, Aranha e Jadson.

Palpites: Na redação do LANCE!, 90% dos votos foram para vitória do Palmeiras. Os outros 10% acreditam na Macaca.

A key Newcastle United update has emerged, regarding the club’s search for a director of football to work with Eddie Howe.

What’s the talk?

Magpies reporter Liam Kennedy has revealed that he has heard the likes of Michael Edwards, Paul Mitchell and Victor Orta mentioned as possible targets for the club’s director of football role. He has claimed that PIF will take their time with the appointment, with a number of candidates still in contention.

Speaking on the latest edition of NUFC Matters, via ThisIsFutbol, Kennedy said:

“There are other people in line. I’ve heard loads of names mentioned. Of course, we’ll have heard the lad at Liverpool, whose name escapes me at the moment [Michael Edwards]; there’s the lad [Paul] Mitchell, who used to be at Southampton who’s now at AS [Monaco], is one that is mentioned.

“I’ve heard Victor Orta mentioned – the lad at Leeds who had a meltdown the other day, I’ve seen him on Sky Sports News shouting at some fans.

“And again, it’ll be one that they take their time on, it’s a big appointment.”

Buzzing

Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing with this update from Kennedy as it illustrates the calibre the club are aiming for. They are targeting top operators and want to ensure that they get the best possible person in to fill the role, as they will be leading the club’s football operations in the long-term and this is not an appointment they can afford to get wrong.

Edwards, in particular, is an intriguing target for the Magpies given his impressive work for Liverpool. He is due to depart Anfield at the end of the season and Newcastle could hold out and wait for him to join ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The sporting director helped to build a squad capable of winning the Champions League and Premier League for the Reds, whilst having a net spend of £130m. He is also said to have convinced the club to spend the money required to land Mo Salah, who has scored 145 goals and provided 56 assists in 224 games for the Premier League side.

To illustrate his impact on Merseyside, Jurgen Klopp heaped praise on the director for the positive contributions he has made. The German head coach said:

“If we are as fortunate and blessed as we have been so far, maybe we can create more special memories for our club in this remaining time.

“He has been a constant presence during my period at LFC and his contribution to our success is clear for everyone to see.”

This highlights the standard of candidate Newcastle are eyeing, according to Kennedy, and why fans will be buzzing with someone like Edwards being under consideration.

However, it is now down to the board to go out and ensure that they are able to convince him, or one of the other targets, to make the switch and come in to help Howe and his team.

AND in other news, 98x possession lost: Howe must brutally axe NUFC’s “manager’s dream”, he’s a passenger…

فاز فريق الطائي على نظيره الفتح، بهدف دون رد، في المباراة التي أقيمت مساء اليوم الأربعاء، ضمن منافسات الدوري السعودي.

الطائي واجه الفتح، في إطار منافسات الجولة الـ4 من دوري روشن السعودي، وذلك على ملعب استاد الأمير عبد العزيز بن مساعد.

وسجل هدف الفوز للطائي لاعبه دينر جوميز كليمنت في الدقيقة 47 من عمر المباراة، ومن رأسية رائعة من داخل منطقة الجزاء.

وشهد اللقاء، إهدار ركلة جزاء عن طريق لاعب الفتح مراد باتنا في الدقيقة 37.

طالع | الطائي السعودي يتعاقد مع هداف الدوري المغربي

وبذلك الفوز، يحتل فريق الطائي المركز الثالث في ترتيب الدوري برصيد 9 نقاط متساويا مع الهلال والشباب صاحبي المركزين الأول والثاني، بينما يتواجد الفتح في المركز التاسع بـ3 نقاط. هدف فوز الطائي علي الفتح في الدوري السعودي

Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has recovered from the ankle sprain he suffered at practice and will resume training on the eve of the first Test

Cricinfo staff14-Nov-2009

Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has recovered from the ankle sprain he suffered at practice and will resume training on the eve of the first Test against India in Ahmedabad starting on November 16. The captain Kumar Sangakkara also confirmed that one of Prasanna Jayawardene and Kaushal Silva will keep wicket, meaning that Dilshan will play as a specialist batsman.The Sri Lankans go into the Ahmedabad Test without match practice, after their only three-day warm-up game in Mumbai was washed out.”Dilshan has recovered from the minor injury he had due to accident at the warm-up,” Sangakkara said. “He is fine now and batting well. We will have to see how well he does tomorrow.”Prasanna has been doing great with the gloves. Kaushal is on a maiden Test tour but has been scoring a good amount of runs for the A side and in domestic cricket. One of them is going to get the first game.”Dilshan kept wicket and batted in the middle order in the three Tests against Pakistan at home during August, stepping in for the injured Jayawardene, which allowed Sri Lanka to accommodate allrounder Angelo Mathews, who chipped in as the third seamer. However, Jayawardene returned for the two Tests against New Zealand that followed and Dilshan was promoted to open the innings. Sri Lanka have four wicketkeepers in the squad, including the captain himself.That flexibility, Sangakkara said, was Sri Lanka’s strength and it extended to all departments of the game. “The guys are relaxed and enjoying themselves as the pressure is not on us. We do have a balanced side this time and have options of playing various combinations of fast bowlers and spinners giving us more flexibility.”We have got a mix of youth and experience, a good variation of pace and spin plus over seven or eight batsmen. And all of them have been doing well in their own disciplines. We are looking forward for them to go into the first Test and enjoy themselves, play good hard cricket and hopefully come out on top.”Sangakkara said he was pleased with the composition of the five-member pace attack, including Mathews. “We have fast bowlers like Dammika Prasad and Thilan Thushara who are bowling at the speed of 145-plus kph,” he said. “Then we have Nuwan Kulasekara at 130 and Chanaka Welegedara who can hit 140 as well. Speed does not really matter unless it is accompanied with accuracy.”