COLOMBO // Kumar Sangakkara, the Sri Lanka captain, admits Muttiah Muralitharan is not certain to start the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand as he is battling to overcome a thigh injury.
The record-breaking off-spinner injured his knee the last time the sides met, in Mumbai last week, and then strained a quadriceps muscle in the quarter-final thrashing of England.
Some former players have suggested in the Sri Lankan media that Muralitharan should be rested from the meeting with New Zealand to ensure he is fit for Saturday's final.
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However, Sangakkara says they need him now.
"Everyone is trying to get him as fit as possible and fit enough to play," the captain said. "There is no point thinking about finals and saving him for other games. This is the crunch game and if he can play, that will be great for us."
Muralitharan, who will retire from the international game at the end of the tournament, formed part of a four-pronged spin-attack against England.
If he does miss out, Nuwan Kulasekara, the seam-bowler who has a fine record against New Zealand in the past, would be his likely replacement.
"It is an ongoing assessment," Sangakkara said. "With injuries like this you have to make sure the player is comfortable playing in the match, especially in a situation like this.
"We are very much hoping he will be fine, but if he is not, it is something we will just have to get on with. We have the cover to make sure we are a competent winning side."
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Results
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Brief scoreline:
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Manchester City 2
Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0
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