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Sri Lanka batsman Kaushal Silva has been airlifted to a Colombo hospital, after being struck on the head during a practice match at Pallekele

Andrew Fidel Fernando24-Apr-2016Sri Lanka batsman Kaushal Silva has been airlifted to a Colombo hospital, after being struck on the head during a practice match at Pallekele. Initial CAT scans suggested Silva was out of danger, but he will continue to be monitored as a precautionary measure.Team management said Silva appeared to have been struck just below the back rim of the helmet – in the padded wings that became part of helmet design following Phillip Hughes’ death. Teammates believe the injury could have been more substantial if he had been wearing a helmet without this added protection.”Kaushal was fielding at short leg when he got hit,” team manager Charith Senanayake said.”[Dinesh Chandimal] swept a ball right onto the back of Kaushal’s head. He did take evasive action, but still the ball hit him.”Senanayake said Silva was left dazed moments after the impact, and that he had exhibited symptoms consistent with concussion. The accident had occurred at about 3:30 pm and Silva was immediately taken to a Kandy hospital, where he underwent the initial CAT scan. The decision was then made to transfer him to Colombo.The two-day practice match had been part of the Sri Lanka team’s preparation for the tour of England, for which the side departs on May 3. Silva had struck a hundred in the first day of this match, and appeared likely to earn a place in Sri Lanka’s squad for the forthcoming Tests. Silva’s last Test came against West Indies in October 2015.

Pakistan have said they will not play their World T20 match against India in Dharamsala after receiving a report from its three-man delegation that ‘security is not assured’ at the venue

Umar Farooq08-Mar-2016Pakistan have asked the ICC for a change of location for their World T20 match against India, scheduled to be held in Dharamsala on March 19, after receiving a report from its three-man delegation that ‘security is not assured’ at the venue. ESPNcricinfo has learned that the report was handed over to the board and Pakistan’s federal interior minister, Chaudary Nisar, after which it was decided that the Pakistan team would not travel to India on Wednesday as scheduled.The PCB had, earlier on Tuesday, written to the ICC chief executive David Richardson asking to consider an alternative venue for the marquee match on March 19. It is understood to have proposed Kolkata or Mohali as a replacement for Dharamsala.A senior BCCI official said the Indian board was made aware of the fact that the PCB had informed the ICC about not being “keen on playing” in Dharamsala but appeared confident the match could still be moved to an alternate venue.”They have not conveyed it (not playing in Dharamsala) to ICC as a decision, but as a suggestion,” the official told ESPNcricnfo. According to him the two back-up venues could be Bangalore and Kolkata. “Mohali is already hosting two (Pakistan) matches. Kolkata already has one match. Delhi, we all know the issues there (the Delhi & District Cricket Association struggling to get various clearances to host matches).”The official reckoned the ICC and BCCI would have to take a “final” call by Wednesday keeping in mind the Pakistan men’s team is scheduled to land in India for the tournament that day.The Pakistani delegation, headed by FIA director Usman Anwar, PCB security and anti-corruption head Azam Khan, and Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner in India, are believed to have remained unconvinced by the arrangements and with the security protocols. It is believed that most of the Indian officials they were coordinating with were relatively junior in rank.The Pakistan government had initially granted the PCB permission for its team to play in India, but the board decided to put the visit on hold until they were guaranteed foolproof security. The PCB’s move was prompted after the Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh had expressed concerns over security for the India-Pakistan match in Dharamsala.

Details about the Spain squad for Women's World Cup 2023.

Spain are one of the strongest teams at the 2023 Women's World Cup, with Alexia Putellas, one of the best footballers in the world, set to be joined by a number of other talented players at football's biggest stage.

Following their protest against the federation, a number of Spanish players have settled their differences to unite for the national team and will be seen in action at the World Cup. Some, however, remain unavailable.

Spain are a well-rounded team with a lot of talent. They were knocked out by England in the quarter-finals of the 2022 Women's Euros but have only lost one out of their 11 games since. In the 2023 World Cup qualifiers, they had a 100 per cent win record and finished top of the group, eight points above second-placed Scotland.

Who made it to Spain Women's World Cup squad? GOAL takes a look.

Getty ImagesGOALKEEPERS

Real Madrid's fan-favourite Maria Isabel "Misa" Rodriguez Rivero is set to be the first-choice goalkeeper for Spain at the World Cup. She started 28 out of 30 league games for Madrid during the 2022-23 season and impressed in goal.

While Cata Coll and Enith Salon will act as back-ups in case Maria is unable to take the field, Real Sociedad's Elene Lete has been left out after earlier being included in the preliminary squad.

Spain will be without Sandra Panos who is one of the 15 players who had protested against the federation. Of the 15, three players have been called up to the squad but the experienced keeper is not one of them.

Misa RodriguezReal MadridCata CollBarcelonaEnith SalonValenciaAdvertisement@WEURO2022DEFENDERS

With Mapi Leon making herself unavailable for the World Cup squad, Irene Paredes and Ivana Andres are set to be the centre-backs for Spain. Paredes has plenty of experience in her role and Andres is set to be a capable replacement for Leon in the squad.

Ona Batlle, another of the 15 players who have returned, and Olga Carmona are capable full-backs and will be expected to feature in the starting line-up. The back-up options are talented and it will be interesting who makes a claim in the back-four.

Ivana AndresReal MadridOna BatlleBarcelonaOlga CarmonaReal MadridLaia CodinaBarcelonaRocio GalvezReal MadridOihane HernandezAthletic ClubIrene ParedesBarcelonaGetty ImagesMIDFIELDERS

With over 100 caps and incredible talent at her disposal, Alexia Putellas is the star of the Spain squad. Putellas was sidelined for 10 months due to an injury and will hope to make a grand return he on the international stage. She has played seven matches and scored a goal for Barcelona since coming back in April.

Aitana Bonmati and one of Teresa Abelleira or Claudia Zornoza will look to join Putellas in the midfield and the trio should be able to create chances for their forwards on the biggest stage.

This is also where the majority of the cut down has taken place from the preliminary squad, with only six of the initially named 10 making the cut with Irene Guerrero and Maria Perez completing the list of midfielders.

Teresa AbelleiraReal MadridAitana BonmatiBarcelonaIrene GuerreroAtletico MadridMaria PerezBarcelonaAlexia PutellasBarcelonaClaudia ZornozaReal MadridENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Crédito: GettyFORWARDS

Spain's Jennifer Hermoso is part of the squad and will be an important player in the starting lineup at the World Cup fixtures. Having made 97 appearances for Spain, only behind Alexia Putellas, she is the team's all-time top-scorer and is two goals short of hitting the 50-goal mark.

Spain have a talented pool to choose from, with both Alba Redondo and Esther Gonzalez set to compete for a spot in the final third alongside the likes of Hermoso. Redondo is the league's top scorer with 27 goals whereas Gonzalez impressed in the qualifiers with 10 goals from six matches.

Mariona CaldenteyBarcelonaAthenea del CastilloReal MadridEsther GonzalezReal MadridJennifer HermosoPachucaAlba RedondoLevanteEva NavarroAtletico MadridSalma ParallueloBarcelona

Lionel Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo are enjoying life in the United States, but pet dog Hulk has not joined them at Inter Miami.

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Argentine superstar now in the United StatesEmbracing a new challenge in AmericaFamily pet being looked after in BarcelonaWHAT HAPPENED?

The Messi clan welcomed a new addition to their family back in 2016 when acquiring a Bordeaux Mastiff puppy. The giant breed – which can grow up to 27 inches tall and weigh 110 pounds – are larger than life characters in their own right, with Messi saying of Hulk when introducing him to the world: “New member of my family. Thanks, love, for this beautiful gift.”

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Messi and Roccuzzo have been unable to take Hulk with them to Florida, with Migue Granados revealing on of the response that he got when asking the Argentine icon where his canine companion is: “I asked him where that bull was and he told me, ‘He's in Barcelona, Hulk is there. He is a little old. So, we had to leave him in the house we have there in Barcelona’.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Messi is said to have told Granados that Hulk is “on the verge” of having to be put to sleep – with Bordeaux Mastiff’s only having a life expectancy of between five and eight years. The adorable dog is currently being looked after by staff at Messi’s luxurious home in Castelldefels – a Barcelona suburb some 12 miles away from Camp Nou.

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Messi and his family – with sons Thiago. Mateo and Ciro alongside him in Miami – would understandably like to visit Hulk more often, having been able to reach Catalunya easily when based in France at Paris Saint-Germain, but they are now over 4,600 miles away on the American east coast.

Kaitlin Olson sparked some social media banter after cheekily claiming husband Rob McElhenney's Emmy award for 'Welcome to Wrexham' as her own.

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Welcome to Wrexham scores Emmy successOlson claims gong for her 'vision board'McElhenney responds with Mullin animationGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

With a sparkling new Emmy award for sitting proudly on the mantelpiece at Olson and McElhenney's Hollywood home, the actress took to social media to jokingly post that she was going to add it to her 'mood board'.

Her husband playfully reposted her claim, inventively adding an animation of striker Paul Mullin applauding to the story.

AdvertisementWHAT KAITLIN OLSON SAID

Olson posted to Instagram: "Rob McElhenney brought me home a trinket for my vision board," alongside a close up of the award.

McElhenney shot back, replying and adding in the Dragon's talismanic forward clapping along with a dancing Emmy award graphic.

Instagram

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The first series of the popular documentary scooped five Emmys from six nominations at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday. Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds accepted the awards dressed as his best-known character Deadpool from the Marvel series.

The awards mark Hollywood recognition for the documentary that has won many fans for its tender takes on the lives of Wrexham fans and staff.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR WELCOME TO WREXHAM?

Already commissioned for a third series, the documentary goes from strength to strength charting what owners and fans hope is a successful return to the Football League and a second-consecutive promotion. Wrexham are sitting in the League Two automatic promotion places after 25 games, with a home fixture against AFC Wimbledon up next on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp confirmed bad news for Liverpool that defender Joel Matip will be out for a long period of time after sustaining a knee injury.

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Matip went off injured in Fulham gameReds defender still to be fully assessedExpected to be out of action for long timeWHAT HAPPENED?

The centre-back was taken off in the second half of his side's 4-3 win against Fulham with an apparent injury. Klopp said after the game that the injury looked a bad one and confirmed again on Tuesday that the defender's condition does not have a positive outlook.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT KLOPP SAID

Klopp told reporters: "I don’t know exactly [how long he will be out] but it doesn’t look good, that’s something we can say. The scan is not done yet so we don't know exactly but it is not great. From the first minute it was clear. I spoke to him and said: 'Ah no, that is not good'. But how long [he will be injured for], we don't know."

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The loss of Matip comes as a big blow to the Reds, who are already without the likes of Alisson, Diogo Jota, Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic and Andy Robertson. Alisson and Jota are closer to returning to action, Klopp said, adding: "Diogo was running yesterday (Monday) outside, on his birthday and everything is going in the right direction but no-one told me he will be back in team training. It will be some time. Obviously Alisson is closer but not for tomorrow, definitely."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Klopp called on Ibrahima Konate to take Matip's place against Fulham on Sunday and it could be the Frenchman who gets the nod to start when they take on Sheffield United in the Premier League on Wednesday. For now, though, it will be speculative in the buildup to the contest.

Karun Nair’s first time at No. 3 this season helped him break away from an inconsistent run and he credited giving himself the time to get in was the reason for his match-winning half-century

ESPNcricinfo staff04-May-2015Karun Nair has been a floater in the Rajasthan Royals batting line-up and had had a highest score of 25 prior coming into their home game against Delhi Daredevils in Mumbai. But pushed up to No. 3 for the first time in the season, he produced a rapid, match-winning half-century that he credited to taking the time to play himself in.”I told myself at the beginning of the innings I should just play run-a-ball and look for the odd boundary,” he told , “I gave myself time in the first ten to fifteen balls and from then on I decided to go for the big shots. I am not a powerful hitter, but I can hit the ball for a six. A six doesn’t necessarily need to go out of the ground, it has to just clear the fence and I think I can do it easily.”His 61 off 38 balls was part of a 113-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane at a run-rate of 9.82. Nair said the gameplan had been to take the game deep and set things up for their finishers.”We spoke about running hard between the wickets and then getting the odd boundary and play normal cricket shots,” Nair said. “We wanted to take the game as deep as possible because we have good hitters in our side. We did that really well. The plan was to get ten runs in every over after the time out and target 170 at the end of 20 overs. Anything more than that was always meant to be a bonus. One boundary an over was what was discussed in the meeting.”His team-mate James Faulkner also had a successful outing, picking up 2 for 22 in conditions that helped fast bowlers at Brabourne stadium, where Royals had had a camp prior to the start of the tournament.”There was a fair bit of assistance with the new ball and you had to bash it into the wicket. There was a fair bit of seam. But that is T20 cricket; you get flat tracks where you don’t get much swing or spin, but then you have tracks that turn a long way. This one had a bit of seam tonight and had good carry which was great. I think that is what everyone likes, different challenges every single time.”Faulkner was making a return to the XI after missing the game against Mumbai Indians last Friday and spoke about the demands on an foreign player in the IPL.”I missed out on the last game since we decided to give Rusty Theron a go,” Faulkner said. “Tonight I came back into the side. That is how the format works. There is always a lot of class sitting on the bench.”It doesn’t matter if you are there from the start or join halfway through, you are always expected to put up your best. You are an overseas player at the end of the day, and looked at to bring something unique to the table. Once you play international cricket, there is always going to be expectations from you in any Twenty20 league. Every overseas player is used to that.”

The Belgium international may not have found the net, but he was nevertheless pivotal in the victory that sealed a top-four spot for the Blues

Getty1Eden Hazard | ChelseaThe Belgian provided the assist for two of Chelsea's three goals in their win against Watford, which clinched a spot in next year's Champions League. AdvertisementGetty Images2Marko Arnautovic | West HamArnautovic netted a brace from two shots on target against Southampton.Getty3Ryan Fraser | BournemouthFraser created nine chances against Spurs, more than twice as many as any of his Bournemouth team-mates.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty4Morgan Schneiderlin | EvertonSchneiderlin made eight tackles and nine recoveries of possession against Burnley; both the most of any Everton player.

Liverpool's engine room is in dire need of reinforcing but which top-class midfielders are actually available and affordable?..

The clamour for a new midfielder at Liverpool grows with each passing game, it seems.

Jurgen Klopp may have insisted that the Reds cannot “play Monopoly” in the January transfer window, but it seems clear that without at least some kind of reinforcement this month, his side can forget about securing a top four finish in the Premier League.

We know who their No.1 target is, but there is zero chance of persuading Borussia Dortmund to sell Jude Bellingham at this point – and there is no guarantee right now that the England star will choose Liverpool over the likes of Real Madrid or Manchester City, either.

Likewise, a move for Wolves’ Matheus Nunes, a long-standing target, must wait until the summer, with the Portugal international having already played for two clubs this season.

Anfield sources continue to play down the arrival of another new signing this month, to follow on from the £44 million ($52m) capture of Cody Gakpo, but we have seen in the past two January windows that Liverpool are willing to do late business, should an opportunity present itself or the need become too great to be ignored.

With that in mind, GOAL takes a look at some players who could find themselves on the Reds’ radar over the next three weeks…

Getty ImagesMoises Caicedo

The Brighton midfielder, 21, is a player who is clearly destined for a Champions League club, and the fact that the Ecuador international recently switched agents suggests that he and his camp are preparing for a move in the near future. Whether Brighton would wish to sell, mid-season and when they have European ambitions of their own to fulfil, is another matter, although a rumoured fee of between £45-60m ($55-73m) is not beyond the realms of possibility for a club like Liverpool. Club sources have, however, played down talk that a deal is on the cards.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesAlexis Mac Allister

What about Caicedo’s team-mate at the Amex? Mac Allister is hot property after playing a key role in Argentina’s World Cup win, and like Caicedo has already been linked with a move to a bigger club. The 24-year-old is reportedly interesting Chelsea, who for the time being are managed by ex-Seagulls boss Graham Potter, and has an all-round game that could make a big difference to a club seeking an immediate impact, such as Liverpool.

GettyYouri Tielemans

It seems strange that a player such as Tielemans, 25 years of age and with considerable experience and credit in the bank, has not either agreed a new contract with Leicester or attracted sufficient interest to secure a move away from the King Power Stadium. The Belgium international’s deal expires in the summer, opening up the possibility of a cut-price move in January. His Premier League experience, and his ability to create and score goals from a right-sided No.8 role, could make him an interesting proposition for Liverpool, given the struggles of Jordan Henderson and Harvey Elliott to flourish in that role this season.

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Getty ImagesFlorian Neuhaus

A couple of summers ago, the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder was very much on Liverpool’s radar, but a move for the 25-year-old failed to materialise, and Neuhaus is currently working his way back from a knee injury suffered in September. He hopes to return to action this month, and with only 18 months remaining on his contract, it will be interesting to see if Liverpool revive their interest. It seems unlikely, but they have done it before with players such as Mohamed Salah.

The Portuguese superstar decided to continue his career in Serie A, but he wasn't the first player to shock the sports world with an unexpected move

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Juventus came as a shock to almost everybody. 

After nine dominant season with Real Madrid, it was all over so suddenly, with the 33-year-old having done little more than hint at the potential for a move ahead of leaving Los Blancos for Turin. 

But Ronaldo wasn't the first player to shake up the world by switching teams. 

Goal runs through the 10 most shocking player moves in sports history. 

Otto Greule Jr1Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings – 1988It was proved on August 9, 1988, that any player can be traded, even the greatest of his or her sport. On this date, The Great One, Wayne Gretzky, was traded as part of a mega multi-player deal from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings. Only 27 years old at the time of the trade, and still very much in the prime of his illustrious career, Gretzky proved to be too costly for the small-market Oilers to keep, and this deal — which landed Edmonton $15 million in cash as part of the return for Gretzky, Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski — was actually consummated between owners Peter Pocklington (Oilers) and Bruce McNall (Kings), not the general managers. Gretzky's arrival in Los Angeles put the West Coast of the United States on the map as a prime NHL destination and set the stage for further expansion to Anaheim and San Jose, even though the Kings never did win a Stanley Cup with Gretzky on the team. The Oilers, meanwhile, completed their dynasty with another Cup victory in 1990 before the dismantling of the great championship squad was completed in the early '90s.AdvertisementGetty Images2Diego Maradona to Napoli – 1984The best player in the world moving to Napoli from Barcelona for a record transfer fee was just as shocking in 1984 when Maradona did it as it would be today if Lionel Messi decided to make a similar move. The fee of £6.9 million (($10.5m) seems like pennies in today's market, but after two injury-hit seasons with the Catalan club, in which the volatile Argentine had numerous spats with management, the Italian club decided he was well worth the risk. Over the course of his seven Serie A seasons Maradona netted 81 times in the league and helped the club to two league titles, a Coppa Italia, a Supercoppa Italiana and the UEFA Cup. Doug Pensinger3Peyton Manning to the Denver Broncos – 2012Manning’s career appeared to be nearing an end when he missed the entire 2011 season after undergoing neck surgery, and the Colts released him in 2012 to clear the way for No. 1 pick Andrew Luck. Manning, however, signed with the Broncos. It became clear once again that Manning, and not the Colts, would be the chief competition for the New England Patriots in the AFC. Manning set single-season records in yards (5,477) and TDs (55) while leading Denver to an appearance in Super Bowl 48, and two years later he led the Broncos to a victory in Super Bowl 50. Manning retired in 2016 after 18 seasons.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty4Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain – 2017French club PSG wanted to make a statement to the world that they were a factor at the top level, and the €222 million (£201m/$260m) signing of Barcelona superstar Neymar was just the ticket. The Brazilian had worked his way into being considered one of the best players on the planet while with the Spanish side, despite playing second fiddle to Lionel Messi. PSG offered him the chance to be the main man and their payout to buy his services was stunning, having more than doubled the previous record amount spent by Manchester United to sign Paul Pogba in 2016. His first season in Paris saw Neymar net 19 goals in 20 matches, though an injury put an early end to his campaign and the French side fell short in the Champions League.