Najibullah Zadran, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Mirwais Ashraf, 10 Dawlat Zadran, 11

There was a hole at the SSC.This is not the foot-hole in the bowling crease, which Australia bowlers had reported to be so deep, that by now, Mitchell Starc should able to travel through it to Rio, to watch brother Brandon compete in the high-jump.This hole was merely figurative. (Though, again, this is not a jibe at Sri Lanka Cricket administrators travel-and-expenses account.)No, this was the kind of hole that Sri Lanka have routinely found themselves in Tests over the past year; the kind of hole from which they have not often lately recovered. The kind of hole from which, on this occasion, only their best player could haul them out.Australia were skipping along gaily, at 267 for 1, only 88 runs behind. Soon they had lost a wicket, but were nevertheless still skipping - a triple-figure first-innings lead in their sight.Then along came Rangana Herath. Think of him here as a fireman - probably in an oversized kit and a hat that falls off - sending a rope ladder down to teammates wallowing in the pit. With six for 81 in this innings, the rescue was almost single-handed. With the last four wickets falling for 26 runs, the salvage operation took surprisingly little time.This 25th five-for of Heraths career is all the more remarkable, for his having been hit on the box on day two. This is the kind of injury that Sri Lankan men of his age would take several weeks off work for. It is the kind of complaint that would see them sullenly recovering in front of the TV, a drink in hand and ice-pack at the crotch; making whimpering grunts when rising from the settee; forming pathetic, pained faces when wives came in with bowls of soup.Herath though - a hobble now added to his usual waddle - was seen warming up again in the outfield only an hour after the blow had been received. He was bowling at Steven Smith and Shaun Marsh before days end.In the morning, on day three, he was pivoting very gingerly at the crease, but got through his overs cheaply, even if his balls did not quite have their usual shape. By the evening though, when perhaps the pain had eased a little, the flight and subtlety returned, as did the dip and bite. All through this innings, Heraths willpower triumphed over his groin, and as folks as diverse as Tiger Woods and Bill Clinton may reflect, there is no more heroic victory for a man than that.Ranganas got some pain in the groin as a result of the blow, and its quite a challenge for the physio at the moment, coach Graham Ford said after play. But I cant say enough about the bloke. I was joking in the dressing room and saying hes my all-time sporting hero. Hes gone ahead of Roger Federer.This may seem like hyperbole, but let us consider the facts. Federer may have had to do battle with Rafael Nadal for his titles, and lately Novak Djokovic. But has Federer ever had to contend with Sri Lankas selectors, whose first response to any uncertainty, for a while, was to drop Herath from the team? Usain Bolt may be part of the reigning Olympic relay team, but has he ever had to race with teammates as useless at holding batons, as Heraths teammates often are with catches?Hes injured and hes bowling on one leg, Ford said. Hes just got so much guts and fight. For an older guy to do that it - ignites the fight within the younger group. After his nasty incident batting, he makes some brilliant diving stops in the dirt off his own bowling. If youve got the old man throwing himself around like that, the youngsters have no excuse.Australia finished only 24 runs ahead in the first innings, and Sri Lanka now find themselves only two runs behind. They will set themselves up nicely for a whitewash with 250 more. But if the top order fails again, Herath may find himself needing to rescue Sri Lanka from another hole, with bat and ball.It is possible Josh Hazlewood feels guilty for Heraths injury, but he shouldnt bother. It is Heraths teammates that kick the old man in the gonads most of all. Bernie Kosar Browns Jersey . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. Joe Thomas Womens Jersey . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Nick-Chubb-Jersey/ . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Odell Beckham Jr Youth Jersey .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Sheldrick Redwine Womens Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Match factsOctober 1, Mirpur Start time 1430 local (0830 GMT) Big PictureIf it wasnt during the first game, the second ODI made sure Afghanistan grabbed the undivided attention of Bangladesh - the cricket team and nation alike. There will be a lot of eyeballs on the Shere Bangla National Stadium for the series decider, which will have a large bearing on the home teams mindset ahead of the England series.Bangladesh would like their batsmen to not throw away their wickets after getting a start, as the top five did in the second game. Soumya Sarkar, in need of runs after a barren 12 months, was the biggest culprit when he charged at Mirwais Ashraf unnecessarily after Tamim Iqbal had got out attempting the same shot.Imrul Kayes returning to the XI would be a must, given how comfortably he dealt with the Afghanistan attack, albeit for 50-odd deliveries. But his form is going to be important in the third ODI. So would be longer knocks from Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan.Bangladesh also have a reshaped bowling attack after Rubel Hossain was dropped from the squad for the third ODI, making way for left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain, the domestic stalwart making a comeback after eight years. Mashrafe Mortaza would have a lot in his mind with the bowling attack, and that could mean picking three left-arm spinners, himself and Taskin Ahmed.Afghanistan have to keep their bowling plans intact, after being successful in their two-wicket win. Mohammad Nabis accurate offbreaks have been the perfect foil for Rashid Khans quick legspin but the rest of the Afghanistan attack must put its act together.And so should their batting line-up. A big one is due from Mohammad Shahzad, and there would not be any better time than to let one of his whirlwind innings hit Mirpur. It could knock the wind out of Bangladesh. Form guideBangladesh LWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)Afghanistan WLLWLIn the spotlightIt was a dream ODI debut for Mosaddek Hossain with some runs and wickets. There wasnt enough opportunity for the newcomer in the first ODI but he made the best of what he got, forging a 43-run tenth-wicket stand with No. 11 Rubel Hossain. He was a revelation with the ball and might get more overs in the third ODI.Asghar Stanikzai reached his first ODI fifty in 19 months, in the second ODI, as he mixed caution with six-hittinng quite effectively.dddddddddddd. But he suffered from cramps twice during the innings. He would now want to continue with the flow, and make sure the humidity doesnt get to him.Team newsBangladesh brought in Mosharraf Hossain to replace Rubel Hossain in the 14-man squad, but it is still uncertain whether he will replace Taijul Islam or Bangladesh will go with three specialist left-arm spinners. Imrul Kayes could return to the playing XI at the expense of the out-of-form Soumya Sarkar.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes/Soumya Sarkar, 3 Mahmudullah, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Sabbir Rahman, 7 Mosaddek Hossain, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt.), 9 Mosharraf Hossain, 10 Taijul Islam, 11 Taskin AhmedAfghanistan brought in the experienced Nawroz Mangal to open with Mohammad Shahzad. Although Mangal didnt make a worthy contribution, the winning combination may not be altered with the chance to win the series.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Mohammad Shahzad (wk), 2 Nawroz Mangal, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi, 5 Asghar Stanikzai (capt.), 6 Mohammad Nabi, 7 Najibullah Zadran, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Mirwais Ashraf, 10 Dawlat Zadran, 11 Naveen-ul-Haque Pitch and conditionsThe Mirpur pitch was sluggish in the first ODI and then a rank turner in the second. Curator Gamini Silva could revert to the one he put out for the first game, which could assist Bangladeshs spinners who bowl slower than the Afghanistan counterparts. For a change, there is very little rain forecast for Saturday.Stats and triviaShakib Al Hasan is only the third bowler after Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis to take 100 or more wickets at a single venue. Akram and Younis took 122 and 114 wickets each at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium while Shakib has exactly 100 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.Afghanistan seem to be specialist in winning by two wickets, having now done it five times.If Afghanistan win, it will be their first series win against any team ranked higher than Zimbabwe in ODIs.QuotesPressure is obviously on both sides, this being an international match. Fact that they are an Associate nation doesnt come to our mind. They are a strong team.Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza is wary of his opponents. ' ' '