September 2023 22

1 year ago14

Asia Cup 2023: Injury cloud hovers over Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner ahead of summit clash vs India 2023: Injury cloud hovers over Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner ahead of summit clash vs India Sri Lanka’s ace spinner might miss out on the summit clash of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 against the Men in Blue led by Rohit Sharma. Kumar RupeshWritten By: Kumar Rupesh New Delhi Published on: September 15, 2023 9:02 IST Follow us on Google NewsMaheesh Theekshana Image Source : GETTY IMAGES Maheesh Theekshana Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana strained his right hamstring while fielding during the latest Super Four clash between the defending champions and Pakistan on Thursday, September 14 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Powered By VDO.AI PlayUnmute Fullscreen In an official update from Sri Lanka Cricket, the right-arm mystery spinner will undergo scans on Friday, September 15 to “fully assess his condition”. Sri Lanka Cricket gave the update while taking to ‘X’ formerly Twitter. “Maheesh Theekshana has strained his right hamstring. The player will undergo a scan tomorrow to fully assess his condition. Theekshana sustained the injury while he was fielding during the ongoing game between Sri Lanka and Pakistan,” Sri Lanka Cricket captioned their post. Theekshana sustained the injury while putting in a dive to prevent a boundary on the fifth ball of the 34th over. He ran from deep backward square leg and put in a full-fledged dive to take control of the ball that was heading towards the fence after Mohammad Rizwan nailed a sweep off Dunith Wellalage but couldn’t prevent the ball from going for four. Theekshana went for medical attention and came back to render his services with the ball in hand for Sri Lanka and bowled nine overs in the game. He bagged the wicket of Mohammad Nawaz before he could land some meaty blows towards the end of Pakistan’s innings. RELATED STORIES R Ashwin reveals Virat Kohli’s worst nightmare as a bowling captain and it is not MS Dhoni R Ashwin reveals Virat Kohli’s worst nightmare as a bowling captain and it is not MS Dhoni SL vs PAK, Asia Cup 2023: Relive Sri Lanka’s winning moment from Super Four clash against Pakistan SL vs PAK, Asia Cup 2023: Relive Sri Lanka’s winning moment from Super Four clash against Pakistan Pakistan lose world No. 1 crown in latest ICC ODI rankings as Australia, India register gains Pakistan lose world No. 1 crown in latest ICC ODI rankings as Australia, India register gains Theekshana has bagged eight poles in the ongoing tournament thus far and the defending champions can’t afford to miss him in the summit clash against India. The Rohit Sharma-led India have one more game remaining before the final as they are slated to take on Shakib Al Hasan’s Bangladesh in a Super Four fixture on Friday, September 15 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. India will meet Sri Lanka at the same venue on Sunday, September 17 in a contest to take the silverware home.

1 year ago6

Tigers cult hero given permission to leave as ex-NRL executive to lead club reviewCult hero Alex Twal is the latest Tiger to be linked with an exit from the club after being given permission to speak to rivals about an immediate switch as the wooden spooners instigated an external review into the operations of the embattled club. Twal, who produced one of the moments of the season when he scored his first NRL try after 116 games, is the Tigers’ longest-serving player outside winger David Nofoaluma after Luke Brooks’ exit, and still has a year to run on his contract. Play Video Freddy and the Eighth’s Tips – Finals Week 2 Play video 5:45 Freddy and the Eighth’s Tips – Finals Week 2 Check out Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns’ tips before Finals Week 2 of the 2023 NRL Premiership. But rival clubs have been alerted to the Lebanese international’s availability for next season despite being one of the most experienced players at the Tigers, who are desperately trying to assemble a squad under Benji Marshall capable of climbing the table. According to a Tigers source not allowed to speak about the matter publicly, the club would have no issue if he stays put for 2024 but won’t stand in his way if he can secure a long-term deal at an NRL rival. Several officials at rival clubs spoken to by this masthead have said they have been approached about Twal’s potential signing as the NRL’s silly season kicks into overdrive. The 27-year-old has been a mainstay of the Tigers’ pack since his debut in 2017 and has developed a cult following, taking jibes about his inability to score an NRL try until this season in good humour. Alex Twal could be on the move from the Tigers. Alex Twal could be on the move from the Tigers.CREDIT:GETTY He finally crossed the stripe in the Tigers’ loss to the Storm at Campbelltown in June, much to the amusement of his ecstatic teammates. It comes as the Tigers confirmed they had engaged former NRL chief financial officer Tony Crawford to put the microscope over the club following a second straight wooden spoon season. Advertisement Crawford, who is now employed by Benchmarking Matters, will head the review after more than 2000 supporters signed a petition for a sweeping probe into the governance of the club. The petition was driven by a group of supporters from a fan podcast and the review could have potential ramifications across the organisation. Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe and chairman Lee Hagipantelis. Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe and chairman Lee Hagipantelis.CREDIT:GETTY Fans made their protests visible in the final weeks of the season, targeting chief executive Justin Pascoe in particular, with banners inside the ground at Tigers matches. Twal’s uncertain contract status comes at a busy time for the Tigers, who have already extended the contract of captain Api Koroisau until the end of 2026 and tabled a multimillion-dollar offer to fullback Jahream Bula. Bula, who won the club’s Kelly Barnes Medal as the player of the year despite not making his debut until round eight in his rookie NRL season, has been offered a bumper deal until the end of 2027. It would make him the club’s longest contracted player if he were to accept it. RELATED ARTICLE The Roosters will be trying to keep their season alive in Melbourne. Opinion NRL 2023 Don’t be fooled by the Roosters’ courageous win – the game wasn’t up to finals standard Andrew Johns Andrew Johns League columnist Twal has developed a reputation as one of the NRL’s nice guys and has produced many tireless displays in the middle, and at one stage was averaging almost 60 minutes a game in 2020 and 2021. However, with the emergence of Fonua Pole and Justin Matamua to complement front row starters David Klemmer and Stefano Utoikamanu, Twal will be given the opportunity to link with a rival looking for a dependable middle forward. Marshall will take over as head coach at the Tigers after Tim Sheens’ exit and is already trying to put his stamp on a roster that will welcome halves Aidan Sezer, Jayden Sullivan and Latu Fainu next year. Fainu’s brother Samuela is the club’s other major recruit from the Sea Eagles for next season. Brooks (Sea Eagles), Daine Laurie (Panthers) and Tommy Talau (Sea Eagles) will leave the club with Alex Seyfarth in talks with the Bulldogs. Meanwhile, the Dragons have released prop Zane Musgrove from the final year of his contract as Shane Flanagan’s roster rebuild continues. Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now. Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter. Save Share License this article NRL player movements Australia Wests Tigers Tim Sheens NRL 2023