All posts by h716a5.icu

Many Wolves fans have been slamming the performance of Hwang Hee-chan in their game at home to Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The South Korea international was largely anonymous throughout the match, recording fewer touches (28) than his own goalkeeper Jose Sa (40), as he was taken off for Joao Moutinho in the 79th minute with the score still at 0-0 (SofaScore).

Hwang also lost out on two of his duels and failed to record a single shot on goal, dribble or cross, while he was also guilty of losing possession of the ball on eight separate occasions (SofaScore).

Of course, the striker will see this as just a slight blip, having already scored four goals for Bruno Lage’s side so far this season.

Wolves fans on Hwang display

These Wolves fans slammed Hwang’s performance on Twitter, with one supporter going as far as to claim that he was ‘dreadful’ today:

“Podence on for Hwang never been more necessary”

Credit: @wwfcConnor

“Get Podence on for Hwang”

Credit: @Hayden_Millsy

“Hwang has been dreadful”

Credit: @MattyEagle

“Hwang shoot man”

Credit: @_tomwwfc

“Wish Hwang would get more involved lowkey. Feel he has Trent if only he’d just run at him”

Credit: @suen3j

“Thank god. Hwang work rate. Pathetic”

Credit: @Treborm44

In other news, find out what pre-Liverpool comments went down a treat with these Wolves fans

A near-full house in Nagpur was witness to a fiery match, with Sri Lanka leveling the series with a three-wicket win as runs and wickets flowed in equal measure in good batting conditions

The Bulletin by Jamie Alter18-Dec-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Tillakaratne Dilshan’s aggression set the platform for Sri Lanka’s successful chase•Associated PressThe second humdinger between these two teams this week ran the gamut from wonderful to what-the-heck as runs and wickets flowed in equal measure in good batting conditions. Sri Lanka leveled the series with a three-wicket win in a match defined by two individual innings, contrasting in style and strength, at either end of a collapse that threatened to give India the advantage and a 2-0 lead.With another evening of thrilling batting, Tillakaratne Dilshan proved right every single reason behind Sri Lanka’s decision in January to open the innings with him permanently. Dilshan’s fifth one-day century, and second in a row, was the dominant force in Sri Lanka clinching this win but it so nearly ended up in another lost cause, if not for Angelo Mathews.Dilshan contributed 63 to a 102-run opening stand, playing with the freedom and control fans have grown accustomed to; then, in the period where India followed up a double-strike with 12 boundary-less overs, he collected his century while ensuring the asking rate stayed in control. There was a massive scare as Sri Lanka lost three wickets, and a limping Mathews was called on to douse the flames. That he did, standing one on leg and coolly striking out the threat of a revved-up India. With eight needed from nine balls the match was on a knife’s edge, but Nehra bowled a full toss, Mathews bunted it to mid-on, and Zaheer let it right through his legs for four.While India’s attack had been spread through the line-up, with Virat Kohli, centurion MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina playing dominant roles, Sri Lanka rode on Dilshan’s shoulders. Needing to score at over a run a ball, he got the chase off to a brisk start. And as often happens, India failed to apply pressure from both ends. If Zaheer allowed just a run off his second over, Praveen Kumar leaked three consecutive fours in his, veering between too wide and too full. Ashish Nehra wasn’t allowed to settle, with both openers punching aerial down the ground, and Zaheer’s length was offset by a manipulative Dilshan. Sri Lanka’s fifty came up in 6.3 overs, most of the runs coming down the ground.It was enthralling batting from Dilshan. Zaheer and Nehra tried to push him back but he rode the bounce, and at times his luck – such as when he danced out to Nehra and edged for four. Whenever the ball was pitched up, Dilshan, at times batting out of his crease, plonked his front foot further forward and clunked powerful drives over mid-off and mid-on.After Virender Sehwag Dilshan comes closest in today’s era to being able to make the bowler bowl where wants them to. Dhoni turned to Harbhajan Singh for the eighth over, slip and leg gully in place. Having come out and gone back to pick the gaps in Harbhajan’s first over, Dilshan had the bowler in two minds. At one point, he twice hurried out to thump the ball down the ground, as he’d spotted the extra flight. Then Harbhajan bowled it quicker and wider, hoping Dilshan would come out to that one as well. Instead Dilshan read it perfectly, stayed in position, and cut it past point for four. The batsman had set the bowler up.When Harbhajan purchased some turn, Dilshan used his crease to get over the ball, nudging it off his pads. A streaky but deliberate edge off Harbhajan for four raised a 31-ball fifty. Harbhajan had some success against Upul Tharanga, who was lured out and then edged a breaking ball to slip where Sehwag snapped a good catch to his left (102 for 1). Dilshan was then responsible for running his captain out, and for the next 55 deliveries India, through Nehra, Praveen and Ravindra Jadeja, pulled Sri Lanka back.Dilshan spent 16 deliveries in the nineties, reached his century, raised his arms, and promptly clubbed Nehra for two dingers that snapped a 12-over barren run of no boundaries. He featured in a 66-run third-wicket stand with Mahela Jayawardene, which ended when Nehra bowled Dilshan with a fine yorker.MS Dhoni ensured that the momentum didn’t fall away after Virat Kohli departed•Associated PressZaheer delivered a further twist in the tale when, with 70 needed from 66, he got Jayawardene to nick for 39. With the rate within grasp thanks to Dilshan, Thilina Kandamby cut out the risks until his first aerial shot, in the first over of the batting Powerplay, was excellently held by a leaping Kohli at mid-on. Two legal deliveries later, a perfect yorker cleaned up Chamara Kapudegera, and the game was India’s to win. But Mathews controlled his eagerness to flat-bat marvelously, nudging and pushing the ball around with the occasional aggressive drive to remain unbeaten on 37. He was outstanding under pressure, and aided by a runner (Kapugedera) picked out the deliveries to put away. Zaheer’s gross error sealed Sri Lanka’s fate.At the halfway mark, the visitors would have considered the target within their reach as the wicket was still good for batting. After deciding to make first use of a pitch virtually devoid of grass, a century stand between Dhoni and Raina, after a shaky start, picked up the tempo for India. Coming together at the fall of Kohli (54), Dhoni and Raina gave India their best phase.Dhoni ensured that the momentum didn’t fall away, working the ball around superbly from the outset, and immediately showing the rich vein of form he is in this year. It wasn’t a pure innings though. Dhoni had edged his first ball for four, was nearly taken at third man when on 11, edged wide of Kumar Sangakkara on 24, and got two more lives in three balls from his counterpart off Ajantha Mendis. Dhoni raised his half-century off 70 balls and thumped a six to celebrate.Dhoni picked the batting Powerplay after 40 overs, just after Raina dumped Chanaka Welegedara for six over long-on. Two more sixes, again hit down the ground with power, pushed Sri Lanka onto the back foot as the pair took on Mendis and Suraj Randiv on in a three-over burst that bled 35 runs. Raina’s fifty came up off 44 balls and that five-over block yielded 50. Looking for his fourth six, Raina picked out deep midwicket, and soon after, Mendis dropped a clanger at cover when Dhoni was on 94. In the same over, Dhoni raised his century, his second in consecutive innings in Nagpur, to a rousing reception.Those cheers were nowhere near as boisterous when Dilshan raised his, but the resonance of the game’s second century was definitely louder.

Sheffield Wednesday were dumped out of the FA Cup on Tuesday evening following a 3-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.

And a number of Wednesday fans were quick to slam manager Darren Moore following his post-match interview shared on social media.

Two goals from Jordon Garrick and one from Ryan Hardie ensured it would be Argyle who progressed to play Rochdale in the second round.

Over 1,000 Wednesday supporters made the long trip down to Home Park but once again had to watch a 3-0 defeat to Ryan Lowe’s side after a heavy defeat in the league two months ago.

Moore admitted after the game that his side ‘ran out of steam and ideas’, labelling the three goals they conceded as ‘self-inflicted’. The 47-year-old also highlighted injuries to ‘key players’ affected the ‘balance of the team’.

Wednesday fans react

This is what these Wednesday fans had to say in reply to the club’s official post of Moore’s interview, with one labelling it as ‘painful’.

“Erm Erm Erm Bridge Too Far. I’ve had enough of this guy”

Credit: @WednesdayRetro

“In 48 years following my club, of all past Managers…. This pathetic excuse of one, doesn’t have any bite or fight whatsoever. Joke”

Credit: @DavieboyWTID

“Get him out today”

Credit: @dexter0710

“Painful to watch. It’s Garry Monk all over again.”

Credit: @owl_s6

“Guys lost the plot. Balance all wrong. You picked the team”

Credit: @onefurlongout

“Sack him and get Ryan Lowe. Go for it”

Credit: @lbswfc87

Celtic winger James Forrest has been pictured back in training ahead of the Hoops’ trip to Hibernian on Wednesday evening.

The Lowdown: Forrest’s absence

Forrest, who missed a large portion of the previous campaign through injury, has been absent under Ange Postecoglou since August.

His last appearance and goal came in a 2-0 win over AZ Alkmaar, with the 30-year-old, labelled as ‘priceless’ by Neil Lennon, missing the last 13 games as a result.

However, it appears as if he could be closing in on a return.

The Latest: Hoops’ under-the-radar post

Celtic posted a training gallery on their official website on Tuesday, however, they didn’t share the images on their Twitter page.

Forrest was pictured in the gallery for preparations against Hibs alongside his Hoops teammates, so it appears as if he could be involved at Easter Road.

The Verdict: Place on the bench?

Postecoglou has relied on summer signings Jota, Liel Abada and even Kyogo Furuhashi out wide with Forrest sidelined, so it would be a big boost if he could be involved in some capacity this evening.

It could still be too soon for a start, however, easing him back into the matchday squad with a place on the bench and a possible cameo appearance may well be the smarter call.

In other news: ‘Ambitious’ Celtic beast wanted by Premier League clubs in the summer may now leave in January. 

If the best way to spark interest in a seven-match ODI series is to stage a brilliantly tense opener, then Australia and India achieved their goal in Vadodara

The Bulletin by Brydon Coverdale25-Oct-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were outRicky Ponting top scored for Australia with a classy 74•Getty ImagesIf the best way to spark interest in a seven-match ODI series is to stage a brilliantly tense opener, then Australia and India achieved their goal in Vadodara. Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey set up what looked like being a comfortable Australian win until a lively, crowd-lifting partnership from Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar threatened to snatch victory for India.In the end, nine were required from the final over and Peter Siddle held his nerve to confirm a four-run margin in Australia’s favour. The key moment came when Harbhajan (49) was bowled from the second ball of the 50th, trying to launch a boundary off Siddle. Six from the last ball was too much for Ashish Nehra to produce.The feisty 84-run stand from Harbhajan and Praveen was unexpected after India fell to 201 for 7 with ten overs remaining, when they needed more than nine an over. Shane Watson won’t want to watch the replay of his final overs; he became predictable with his full tosses outside off and when he sent down the 49th of the innings it cost Australia 20 runs.Ultimately, Australia got off the hook, largely because India had let themselves down in the field and through the middle overs of their own innings. Although Praveen, with his unbeaten 40 from 32 balls nearly got them home, his ten overs earlier in the day had cost 77 and Australia’s batting contributions were even and widespread.Ricky Ponting thinks a seven-match one-day series is too long; Michael Hussey would play cricket 365 days a year if he could. Both men looked sharp at the start of this tour in setting up the challenging total of 292 for 8. Ponting and Tim Paine built the platform before Cameron White and Hussey drove the total higher, and all four men posted half-centuries.In reply, only Gautam Gambhir fired up properly out of India’s top order. Gambhir had fought his way to 68 from 85 deliveries when he fell to the first ball of the batting Powerplay, which was also the first delivery with the changed ball after 34 overs. Mitchell Johnson found some dip and a hint of swing that trapped Gambhir in front of middle stump and the chase was threatening to derail.Prime Numbers9The number of 50-plus scores for Michael Hussey in ODIs in 2009. In 26 innings this year, he averages 42.09, at a strike rate of 92.05.84The partnership for the eighth wicket between Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan Singh. It’s India’s highest for that wicket in ODIs. 58The number of runs India scored in the last five overs. Harbhajan contributed 32 of those.50The number of wickets for Brett Lee in ODIs against India, which is the highest by an Australian against India. Steve Waugh is next, with 43 wickets in 53 games. Lee’s 50 have come in 29 games, at an average of 20.70. 8The number of Man-of-the-Match awards for Hussey in ODIs. It was his first, though, against India. Of the teams against which he has played at least ten ODIs, New Zealand is the only one versus whom he hasn’t won the award.580The total number of runs scored in the match, which fell short of the record at this ground by a single run. In the match between India and West Indies in 2002, India scored 290, but lost by five wickets.The runs had been well restricted by Brett Lee and Peter Siddle in the middle overs and Gambhir and MS Dhoni were under pressure to make full use of the Powerplay, with the required rate climbing to 7.87. A pair of wickets to Johnson slowed India further.That Johnson bowled even a single delivery was a positive for Australia after he rolled his ankle early in the fielding effort and appeared to be in significant pain. He left the field briefly and returned to have an impact, although the loss of James Hopes to a leg injury after he sent down two overs will be a concern for the remainder of the series. Australia had the bowling options to cover for Hopes and the part-time spin of Adam Voges accounted for Virat Kohli, who had combined with Gambhir for a 58-run stand until he skied a catch for 30.Gambhir was comfortable rotating the strike and found the boundary six times, also clearing it once with a strong strike over wide midwicket off Hopes. He was at the crease at No. 3 thanks to the return of Virender Sehwag, who opened with Sachin Tendulkar, although neither of the veterans could make it to the ten-over mark.But whereas India’s two most experienced players failed, Australia’s two most capped batsmen stepped up to guide their team. Ponting’s 74 was the innings that set the tone but it was Hussey’s 73 from 54 deliveries that kept things on track and ensured a healthy total when India threatened to fight back late in the innings.Australia took their batting Powerplay from the 43rd over and it brought 3 for 33 (India’s would later result in 3 for 32) after the powerful White skied a catch for 51 from the second delivery. It was important that Hussey bat until the end and he did survive to the final few balls, accumulating his runs in typically anonymous and understated fashion.One exception came in the penultimate over when he launched Praveen for a monstrous straight six that left the ground and was so impressive that Hussey was even caught by the TV cameras raising his eyebrows and mouthing “that’s big” to his partner. But for the most part, Hussey pierced the field along the ground and ticked the score over with hard, tireless running between the wickets.He followed the lead of his captain Ponting, who was fierce against the fast men, punching off the back foot and going over the top when the occasion warranted. Few batsmen in the world would have the confidence to hook a fast man after walking down the pitch and being surprised by a bouncer but Ponting did just that, launching Praveen over the boundary for six.Praveen felt the brunt of Ponting’s form and he was also whipped through leg by Paine, whose 50 was important in setting up Australia’s effort. Ishant Sharma was more dangerous with a fuller length that allowed the ball to swing and his 3 for 50 was well deserved.Nehra collected two wickets and bowled reasonably, while Ravindra Jadeja’s figures improved when he trapped Ponting plumb lbw. But ultimately India had too few contributors while the Australians all played their part.The only visitor who didn’t contribute was the umpire Mark Benson, who sat out of the match through illness. He missed a classic of the 50-over format.

Surrey have signed James Anyon, the Warwickshire fast bowler, on a one-month loan deal

Cricinfo staff10-Aug-2009Surrey have signed James Anyon, the Warwickshire fast bowler, on a one-month loan deal.Anyon boosts Surrey’s bowling following the news last week that Andre Nel will require surgery on his left elbow and will miss the remainder of the season. Anyon, 26, has played in 46 first-class matches since making his debut in 2003, taking 112 wickets with a personal best of 6 for 82.He will make his Surrey debut tomorrow for the second XI against Yorkshire at Guildford.”After losing Andre, we felt the need to increase our bowling stocks at such an important part of the season,” said Gus Mackay, the Surrey managing director of cricket. “Having James will add some depth and experience to the attack which can only help us as we look to finish the season on a high.”

Former England fast bowler Alex Tudor was the unlikely last-daybatting hero as Surrey lost only six wickets in three sessions

Mark Pennell at The Oval12-Sep-2009
ScorecardFormer England fast bowler Alex Tudor was the unlikely last-daybatting hero as Surrey lost only six wickets in three sessionsat The Oval to force an improbable draw against promotion-chasingNorthamptonshire.Surrey looked destined for a fifth straight championship defeat goinginto the fourth and final day as they teetered on 116 for 3,effectively 0 for 3 as the scores in the match were tied.Yet batting heroics from the usually aggressive Tudor, who remained atthe crease for nigh on two hours to score an unbeaten 20, coupled witha brace of dropped chances by Northamptonshire, allowed Surrey to slipaway with a draw and 10 points to Northamptonshire’s tally of 12.Needing a rearguard action to survive, Surrey made a dreadfulstart when they lost Sri Lankan batsman Arun Harinath to the sixth ballof the day from Lee Daggett, the most impressive paceman on show with figures of 3 for 39. For the second time in the match Harinath aimed an airy drive outside off to edge to the keeper and leave the hosts even deeper in trouble on 119 for 4.Matt Spriegel enjoyed an early let-off when, with his score on 3,he edged a lifter from Daggett between slip and the keeper withoutAndrew Hall or Niall O’Brien laying a glove on it.That proved a costly miss as Spriegel teamed up with Usman Afzaal (31)to add 52 in 23 precious overs for the fifth wicket as Northamptonshire’s attack struggled to get much help from a sublime Oval pitch.Afzaal eventually went just before lunch when visiting skipper NickyBoje turned one out of the foot-holds and back in to the left-hander totrap him lbw when playing back in defence.After lunch Northamptonshire blundered again when Chris Schofield’scut shot slid through the hands of Hall at slip to hit the SouthAfrican in the chest and fly to ground with Schofield on 27. But the stand came to an end when Daggett returned with the second newball to remove Spriegel and Schofield in quick succession.Having scored a backs-to-the-wall 50 from 130 balls Spriegel went lbwto a Daggett yorker that hit him full on the boot then Schofield (36)played late on another full ball that plucked out the left-hander’s offstump.After tea Monty Panesar chipped in with only his second wicket of thegame when he snared Jade Dernbach (4) lbw, but no-one coulddislodge Tudor and last-man James Anyon and, after 10 overs of trying,Northamptonshire shook hands on a draw with Tudor unbeaten afterfacing 102 balls.Surrey’s director of cricket Chris Adams said afterwards: “The energyand work-rate of the side this week has been fantastic. We knew we had a big challenge ahead of us this morning but theyprepared as well as they could by facing plenty of left-arm spin in thenets. They then went out, battled hard and got their justrewards.”

Sri Lanka’s assistant coach is set to join Kent as head coach when his contract with SLC ends on August 20

Sa'adi Thawfeeq31-Jul-2009Paul Farbrace has announced that he will be quitting his post as Sri Lanka’s assistant coach when his contract ends on August 20 to take up the position of head coach of Kent.Farbrace explained that he was leaving because he got a better offer from Kent. “I was head of the academy and assistant coach of Kent when I joined the Sri Lanka team two years ago,” Farbrace told Cricinfo. “But this offer from Kent to become their head coach is too good to miss.”I will be taking a lot of fond memories with me being part of one of the finest cricket teams in the world today. I’ve enjoyed watching Murali [Muttiah Muralitharan] break the world Test bowling record, Sri Lanka winning the Asia Cup in Pakistan and qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 final in England.”Farbrace, who assisted Trevor Bayliss, played an important role in making Sri Lanka a winning unit in world cricket. “I’ve enjoyed working with Sanga [Sangakkara], Sunny [Sanath Jayasuriya], Mahela [Jayawardene], Murali and Vaasy [Vaas] and a host of up and coming youngsters like Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis and Thilan Thushara. Sri Lanka cricket at the moment is looking very vibrant. The only disappointment is that they could not match their Test form in the one-dayers.”Nishantha Ranatunga, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) secretary, confirmed that he had received an email from Farbrace not wanting to renew his contract, and added: “We will discuss this matter at the next interim committee meeting on August 4.”Ranatunga denied that Farbrace’s decision to quit came after the board decided to appoint the A team coach Chandika Hathurusingha as a shadow assistant coach to Bayliss in May.

With just the one win in the Premier League this season, Marcelo Bielsa will be hoping that his Leeds United side can pick up some much-needed momentum when they take on Wolves on Saturday afternoon.

The Whites manager is facing arguably the most difficult time in his spell at Elland Road, with a combination of poor form and numerous injuries seeing them hover just above the relegation zone eight games in.

While Bielsa will be boosted by the return of Raphinha for the game against Bruno Lage’s side, he still has to contend with the likes of Patrick Bamford and Luke Ayling being ruled out. With that in mind, below is a look at how Leeds might line up for today’s clash.

In goal, Illan Meslier will be hoping to keep a rare clean sheet in the Premier League this season, with his only shutout coming in the 1-0 victory over Watford a couple of weeks ago.

The back four should remain unchanged with Ayling still out, so Diego Llorente and Liam Cooper will continue their centre-back partnership, while Jamie Shackleton and Stuart Dallas occupy the full-back roles.

In midfield, Adam Forshaw could be in line to make a rare start in the Premier League after coming on as a substitute against Southampton last time out, and that could help offset the absence of Kalvin Phillips in the engine room.

Raphinha should also come straight into the line-up, with 23-year-old Dan James dropped to the bench after some underwhelming performances, so last season’s partnership of the Brazilian and Jack Harrison will be given the chance to impress.

Up front, Bielsa has a big call to make over the underperforming Rodrigo, and having given Joe Gelhardt a cameo against the Saints, the teenager might be given the nod to start today.

Meanwhile, Leeds must finally unleash this academy starlet…

Kumar Sangakkara’s innings spoke volumes for his powers of resolve and leadership

Alex Brown at Lord's22-Jun-2009Kumar Sangakkara’s tenure as Sri Lanka captain is just seven Twenty20 matches old, but has already contained a lifetime’s worth of heartache and drama.Since arriving in England three weeks ago, Sangakkara has taken it upon himself to serve as the team’s unofficial Lahore spokesperson, sparing team-mates the angst-ridden task of regaling the media with recollections of the March terror attack, all the while risking reopening his own barely-healed emotional wounds. It has been a job that required the tact of a politician, the valour of a general, the sensitivity of a counsellor and the patience of a saint. On all counts, Sangakkara passed with distinction.Sunday’s World Twenty20 final presented him with another stage to display leadership qualities and carry team-mates. Summoned to the crease with Sri Lanka in freefall at 2 for 2 in the second over, Sangakkara was called upon to save the innings and bring smiles to a nation still recovering from the ravages of civil war. This was not so much pressure, as batting with the bends.A difficult task proved even more so after Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene fell to Abdul Razzaq inside six overs, and the tournament’s best one-two punch, Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi, accounted for Chamara Silva and Isuru Udana with the Sri Lankan total at a modest 70. A dispiritingly one-sided contest loomed. Only inspired intervention would do.Sangakkara has produced more dominant and aesthetically pleasing innings, but perhaps few so completely in-sync with the biorhythms of a match and the needs of a team. A pair of early boundaries off the excedingly impressive Mohammad Aamer served as a warning to Pakistan that he would not be dictated to, and his attritional attitude over the ensuing eight overs – scoring steadily, but without crossing the ropes – screamed defiance and obstinance.The storm weathered, Sangakkara resumed his assault square of the wicket. His half-century was raised (from 44 deliveries) with a crisp clip passed the mid-wicket boundary and, fortified by the redoubtable presence of Angelo Mathews (35 not out from 24 balls) at the other end, Sangakkara accelerated through the death overs.By the innings’ conclusion, Sangakkara stood unbeaten on 64 and satisfied in the knowledge he had steered his side from the potential ignominy of a double-digit total to a competitive 138. It was, given the capitulation of the top order, an innings destined to be more William Wallace than Alexander the Great, but one that spoke volumes for his powers of resolve and leadership.”We tried our best with the total we had, but if you don’t get wickets in the first six overs it’s always an uphill task,” he said after the match. “We’ve had a great tournament. I’m very proud with the way the team has responded, the way they’ve played and the attitude they’ve shown. There are a lot of things to take from here but it’s heartbreaking when you lose a final.”After the winning runs ricocheted off Afridi’s pads, Sangakkara summoned his players to the centre and embraced them all. Few outside the Sri Lankan dressing room can appreciate the emotion, resilience and spells of trepidation experienced by the team throughout this first international assignment post-Lahore, and Sangakkara’s paternal pride was evident for all to see.Ever the patriot, Sangakkara swelled the chests of a war-weary nation when, as part of the internationally telecast presentation ceremony, he thanked the Sri Lankan people in a speech delivered in Sinhalese. To hundreds of millions around the world, the oration was indecipherable. To 20 million Sri Lankans, it was inspirational – a private message delivered on cricket’s grandest stage for their ears only.And, so, Sangakkara – warrior, statesman – left the stage to be received by a galvanised team, an appreciative nation and a reverent cricketing world. Leaders might spend entire careers in pursuit of such universal appeal, and yet Sangakkara has managed it just three weeks as Sri Lankan captain. His team, one feels, are in good hands.”I think we’ve done brilliantly,” Sangakkara said. “Even if Lahore had never happened I think this is a brilliant achievement. Lahore was the furthest thing from our mind coming here preparing for the game today and playing in the final. The team has done a really great job mentally getting over all of those things.”I just wanted them to make sure they understood what a great effort they’d put in during this tournament, what a great achievement it is to get into a World Cup final and to learn from the disappointment that we’ve faced in 2007 and now, being bridesmaids twice. You’ve got to be proud, no matter how disappointed, but proud of what they achieved.”We felt love as a touring side, and back home I know everyone was on edge once we got into the final. Sri Lankans love their cricket and they love the fact we’ve come so far. Thank you for your support and we hope we have made you proud.”