last season, he was in no doubt that the Foxes would claw t

He has been an international cricketer for barely nine months, and has only played as many ODIs, but great expectations are already being thrust upon Kusal Mendis. Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has labeled Mendis the future of the national side.Hes going to be a big player for us, Mathews said of Mendis, who scored his second consecutive half-century in Wednesdays 82-run win over Australia. Hes going to be the future of our batting. If he keeps going like this he will do wonders for the Sri Lanka team and I wish him all the very best. It was a fantastic knock today.Mendis half-century in the second ODI at Khettarama was the quickest of Sri Lankas three fifties, despite Sri Lanka having lost both openers cheaply. It was also his fifth fifty in his nine ODIs so far - one having come in Dublin, two in England, and now two at home against Australia.Mendis was particularly good at the end of the Powerplay, as Australia attempted to sneak in an over from one of their part-timers. Travis Head saw Mendis hit the first two balls of his spell for four, before the batsman struck two more boundaries and a three to complete 19 runs off the bat in that 10th over.Mendis early attack on Head created problems for Steven Smith, who resorted to bowling Aaron Finch, partly because Head was proving expensive in conceding 41 from four overs. Mathews said there had been no particular plan to score quickly off Head, and gave a glowing appraisal of Mendis approach.Hes just very positive, Mathews said. Especially after losing a couple of wickets in quick succession, the way he went out there and the way he batted was brilliant. Not too many people do that - you take a bit of time and settle in and take a look at the wicket. But hes just going out there and playing with a lot of freedom. Hes just a different kind of player.Mendis is just one of several young players who have produced encouraging performances during the Australia tour. The latest to impress is 23-year-old left-arm spinner Amila Aponso, who took 1 for 27 in his first ODI on Sunday, and claimed the games best figures of 4 for 18 in Wednesdays second ODI.Not all the spinners bowled very well out there, apart from Amila Aponso - in the first game as well as this game, Mathews said. Hes bowled in these two matches like hes played internationals for a long time. Hes just landing it on the spot and keeping it pretty simple - just bowling it there and letting the ball do the rest. Hes been turning a few and sliding a few. Its been extremely difficult for the batters.More experienced players also contributed to the 82-run victory as Mathews scored 57 and claimed two wickets while Thisara Perera took 3 for 33. Also in the runs again was Dinesh Chandimal, who narrowly missed out on the Sri Lankan record for most ODI fifties on the trot, when he was given out on review for 48 to end the streak at six half-centuries.Chandimals been tremendous for us in the Test series and also in England, Mathews said. Hes matured. Hes also playing with a lot of responsibility - as a senior. Hes anchoring the innings and thats what we want from him. Him batting at No. 4, we want him to bat until the 46th over, so that guys like Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera and Danushka Gunathilaka can go out there and play with a lot of freedom. In our batting line up myself and Chandimal have to take the responsibility to let the youngsters play with freedom.With young players now winning matches for Sri Lanka, it is the oldest man in the ODI side that has now been placed under pressure. Tillakaratne Dilshan, 39, collected scores of 22 and 10 in the first two games, and the selectors now may consider dropping him in order to make way for players who could conceivably play in the 2019 World Cup. However, Mathews defended Dilshans recent performances.No matter how experienced you are, it doesnt mean you will play well all the time, Mathews said. You can get unlucky and get out. I got out cheaply in the last game as well. Though Dilshan failed in this match, others played well and won it. We trust that he will play well in the future. Custom Chicago Cubs Jerseys . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Cubs Jerseys China https://www.cheapcubs.com/ .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Wholesale Cubs Jerseys . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Cubs Jerseys 2019 .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again.As Leicester close in on an unprecedented Premier League crown, we look back at what the pundits said at the start of the season. With Claudio Ranieri arriving at the King Power Stadium to replace Nigel Pearson, the reaction on the whole was of surprise. Few predicted Leicester would stay up, let alone finish top half and beyond, while many noted the Italians lack of top flight success in previous jobs. Leicester will be crowned Premier League champions if they win at Old Trafford Astonished... A huge punt... Incredible... thats what they said then, but now the script has been turned on its head, and Leicester will be crowned champions if they win at Manchester United on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1HD. Phil ThompsonOn Sky Sports: They should really have signed his agent. He got all those jobs for him! I may be quite wrong, but I dont think hes ever won anything. Hes been there, seen it, not done it, at all those places. Nigel Pearson did ever so well, and for Ranieri to get this job was quite incredible. I hope he does well, because he is a nice guy, but hes fortunate.Matt Le TissierOn Sky Sports: With Leicester I think it could be a massive struggle this season. I think he might struggle with the spirit there. Nigel Pearson was replaced by Ranieri in the summer Gary LinekerOn Twitter: Claudio Ranieri? Really?On BreatheSport: Claudio Ranieri is clearly experienced, but this is an uninspired choice by Leicester. Its amazing how the same old names keep getting a go on the managerial merry-go-round.Dietmar HamannOn Twitter: Cant believe Leicester appointed Ranieri ... Great club, great fanbase but Im afraid MK rather than Old Trafford season after next.Harry RedknappOn Twitter: Ranieri is a nice guy, but hes done well to get the Leicester job. After what happened with Greece, Im surprised he can walk back into the Premier League. Leicesters story is one of most surprising fairytales in English football history Tony CotteeOn Sky Sports: Im astonished. I just didnt see this one coming. Obviously there have been many people linked to the job but as far as Im aware, Ranieri wasnt one and for me, it is a strange appointment.They made a massive risk getting rid of Nigel Pearson who did such a good job football-wise towards the end of last season. To appoint Ranieri now, bearing in mind where he has been the last 10 years, is a huge gamble.Robbie SavageOn BBC: Ranieri, good manageer but for me not Leicester.dddddddddddd If you play for the Foxes you need someone you can relate to as a manager. ONeill, Pearson are managers the players can relate to. Id have gone back to ONeill or Lennon. It will be a relegation battle whoever was manager. Big name, bad choice in my opinion. Time will tell. Hopefully I am wrong.Frank SinclairOn BBC: If I was a player at Leicester still I would be excited given the players he has worked with in the past - very excited.But for the next manager at Leicester, the job in hand is stabilising the club. I dont think they are looking to win things yet. If they can be a mid-table team then he will be doing a fantastic job. Ranieri has led Leicester to the top of the Premier League Alan SmithIn the Daily Telegraph: Replacing Nigel Pearson with Claudio Ranieri can only be described as a huge punt. The risk is that City now lose some of the energy, aggression and spirit that pulled them to safety.Paul MersonSpeaking on Sky Sports in September: Leicester have started well and theyll be well safe. They can beat teams and I love the Nathan Dyer signing… he could easily get in Tottenhams team.Stan CollymoreIn the Daily Mirror: Last seasons Great Escape will have instilled incredible belief at the King Power. Having met Nigel Pearson on a number of occasions last season, he was in no doubt that the Foxes would claw themselves to safety. Riyad Mahrez celebrates with Jamie Vardy during a vital win over Crystal Palace Unfortunately, the script has changed. Im not convinced about Tinkerman Claudio Ranieri. Pearson had the dressing room. The players believed in him. Ranieri has a job on his hands earning the same respect.Dont underestimate the loss of Esteban Cambiasso, either. But I think the players believe. That could be enough. It may be just as messy as it was last time, though.Michael OwenOn Twitter: Right then here we go again #Top6Bottom3: Top 6: Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Spurs.Bottom 6: Bournemouth, Leicester, Watford. Lets see yours! Win a t-lab Peloton t-shirt We have five of these awesome t-shirts to give away in our free prize draw - enter now! Also See: Mahrez: Title race not over The German Leicester Souness: Foxes defy logic Why bookies are fearing Foxes ' ' '