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Whatever happens on what is likely to be the final day of the series, it is clear that Australia's spinners have been spectacular in Sri Lanka.
"He's bowling his best ball over and over, and challenging the guy's defence, and that's all we can ask. He's playing his role to his best ability, and I'm extremely proud of him. This is his fifth Test match, is it? For him to take 16 wickets thus far in this series, with a couple still out there, I think he's been our best bowler."
Lyon, one of Australia's greatest spinners, has taken 13 wickets and on Saturday became the third Australia bowler - after Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath - to go past 550 wickets. But others have contributed too. Todd Murphy, Travis Head, and Beau Webster, have all taken a wicket apiece in Sri Lanka.
"Well, we pride ourselves on improving on our skills - each and every one of us," Lyon said. "For someone like Travis Head, too - we all know he's an X Factor player with the bat - to keep putting his finger in the ice and keep doing those breakthroughs is special.
"But everyone works hard on their game, and they want to play their role. They want to have an impact for the Australian cricket team, and that's something that they should be proud of."
It's been a resounding success in Sri Lanka for Australia's spinners, and Lyon suggested simplicity was at the heart of what they tried to do on these pitches.
"Honestly, we've just been talking about sticking to the process of bowling your best ball, and hopefully that will lead to a couple of chances here and there."
Rachin Ravindra goes off the field after taking blow to forehead
Fielding at deep square leg in the 37th over, Ravindra steadied himself to take a catch as Khushdil Shah slog-swept Michael Bracewell towards the on side. But Ravindra seemed to lose the ball in the floodlights, and took no evasive action as it struck him square on the forehead. He was seen staring at the ground, apparently in a daze, as blood streamed down his face while medical staff rushed onto the field.
A stunned silence took hold of the ground as a stretcher was brought on, though it was ultimately not required. The Pakistan team doctor, nearest to the incident, also rushed on to provide first-aid assistance. After lying down on the ground while receiving a few minutes of treatment, Ravindra got up with the assistance of medical staff, and walked off the field, holding a towel to his head, to warm applause from what had just recently been a packed Gaddafi Stadium.
"Ravindra was forced from the field after being struck in the forehead by the ball attempting a catch in the 38th over," a New Zealand Cricket statement said. "He sustained a laceration to the forehead which has been addressed and treated at the ground, but is otherwise well. He came through his first HIA (Head Injury Assessment) well and will continue to be monitored under HIA processes."
New Zealand were in a dominant position in the game, with Pakistan still needing 132 runs for victory in 75 balls with five wickets in hand. Two overs earlier, Ravindra had completed a short spell with the ball, sending down three overs. Earlier, he had opened the batting and scored a brisk 25 off 19 balls to get his side up and running. They eventually posted a total of 330 for 6.
These developments come just 11 days before the start of the Champions Trophy, which begins when these two sides meet in Karachi on February 19. New Zealand's next game is on Monday, when they take on South Africa in the second match of this tri-series, while Pakistan are scheduled to meet South Africa on Wednesday.
GMT 1815 The news report was updated following NZC's statement on Ravindra's injury.
MI Cape Town crush Sunrisers to claim maiden SA20 title
MI Cape Town 181 for 8 (Esterhuizen 39, Brevis 38, Gleeson 2-22) beat Sunrisers Eastern Cape 105 (Abell 30, Rabada 4-25, Boult 2-9, Linde 2-20) by 76 runs
MI have now ticked off title wins in every franchise T20 tournament they've been part of. IPL: check. CLT20 (now defunct): check. WPL: check. MLC: check. ILT20: check. SA20: check.
Rickelton fires opening salvo
However, when Craig Overton took pace off, Rickelton couldn't manufacture his own pace and ended up chipping a catch to mid-off.
Brevis then brought the roof down at the Wanderers when he launched a one-handed six off a slower variation from Overton in the 15th over. Linde, who had been promoted to No.5 to counter Dawson's left-arm fingerspin, also did his job, hitting him for two sixes. When he attempted another six, he failed to clear long-off.
After having been taken to the cleaners in the early exchanges, Jansen bounced back to cut Brevis' innings short.
Delano Potgieter and Rabada then ensured MICT breached 180.
MICT's bowling masterclass
That total looked a whole lot bigger when Boult, especially, made Sunrisers' batters look silly in the powerplay. After he softened David Bedingham with inswingers, Rabada made the incision by having the batter chipping a catch to short cover for 5. Boult got his first wicket of the evening when he drew a leading edge from Jordan Hermann for 1.
Boult had scarcely believable powerplay figures of 3-0-4-1 before he returned at the death to trick Tristan Subbs with a slower variation. Tom Abell briefly countered MICT's strikes before Linde had him stumped for 30 off 25 balls. Linde continued to keep it tight along with his captain Rashid, who pinned Tony de Zorzi lbw for 26 in a boundary-less spell. During their chase, Sunrisers went without a boundary for 45 balls.
Dawson ended the drought when he sent a thick outside-edge flying to the boundary off Rabada but the quick sunk the Sunrisers' lower order with his nifty variations.
From finishing bottom of the table in the first two seasons of the SA20, MICT clinched their first title on Saturday and celebrated under firework-filled skies.
May on open IU job: 'I love being at Michigan'
It didn't take long for public speculation over Mike Woodson's replacement at Indiana to commence.
Given that Dusty May's Bloomington homecoming was Saturday, it was inevitable. The Michigan head coach was a student manager at Indiana under Bob Knight from 1996 to 2000 and is expected to be one of the Hoosiers' top targets for the job, which officially opened Friday when the school announced that Woodson was stepping down at the end of the season.
May left an impression on the Indiana faithful at Assembly Hall on Saturday, guiding No. 24 Michigan to a 70-67 win over the Hoosiers.
Afterward, he was asked about the vacancy.
"I love being at Michigan. I love our team. We're fighting like crazy. That's it," May said. "This place is my foundation, but I'm very, very happy at the University of Michigan. Came here to win a game, and mission accomplished."
May was then asked if he had anything to say to minimize the concerns of Michigan fans.
"There's nothing I can say that's going to make this one way or the other. I love being at Michigan," he said. "That hasn't crossed my mind other than just what friends and family have said, and to be honest, I've eliminated all that."
May became a national name in 2023, when he led Florida Atlantic to the Final Four as a 9-seed, winning 35 games. The Owls followed that up with another NCAA tournament appearance, before May left last spring to replace Juwan Howard at Michigan.
His buyout is $5 million, but he would also have to repay his signing bonus of around $1.5 million if he were to leave Michigan before April 1, 2025.
After a couple of days of speculation, Indiana announced Friday afternoon that Woodson was stepping down after the season. The Indiana alum had been in charge of the Hoosiers for four seasons, replacing Archie Miller in 2021. He led them to the NCAA tournament in his first two seasons, but they missed the postseason a year ago and Saturday's loss dropped them to 14-10 overall and 5-8 in the Big Ten. They've lost five games in a row and seven of their past eight.
Eagles' Graham off IR, set for Super Bowl return
NEW ORLEANS -- Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, the hero of Super Bowl LII, will have a chance to re-create the magic Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs in what could be his final game as a pro.
The Eagles activated Graham from injured reserve Saturday. Graham tore his triceps in late November against the Los Angeles Rams and announced in the locker room afterward that he would miss the remainder of the season.
He had been quietly rehabbing behind the scenes, however, and in recent weeks began telling teammates that a return was possible if Philadelphia made it to the Super Bowl.
The Eagles did just that with a decisive 55-23 win over the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game, setting up a rematch of Super Bowl LVII with the Chiefs.
"I've been working, man. We're going to see," Graham said after the NFC title game. "Them boys scored 55 [the same as his jersey number]. That's what's up. That might be telling me something."
Graham, 36, is the author of the most consequential play in franchise history, a strip sack of Tom Brady in the closing moments of Super Bowl LII that helped deliver the first Lombardi Trophy to the city of Philadelphia.
Graham has played the most regular-season games (206) in team history and has the third-most sacks (76.5).
He indicated before the season that he would retire following the 2024 campaign. But he was having a major impact (3.5 sacks, 7 QB hits in 11 games) before he got hurt and has since left the door open for a return for a 16th NFL season.
Then again, a win Sunday would provide a perfect storybook ending.
Florida upends another No. 1 as Auburn stumbles
AUBURN, Ala. -- Walter Clayton Jr. scored 19 points and Alex Condon added 17 as No. 6 Florida rallied from an early deficit and beat No. 1 Auburn 90-81 Saturday, ending the Tigers' 14-game winning streak.
Florida (20-3, 7-3 Southeastern Conference), down by 10 points early, built a 10-point advantage by the end of the first half and held off Auburn in the second half for its second victory over a top-ranked team this season. Florida beat then-No. 1 Tennessee 73-43 on Jan. 7.
The Gators are the fifth team in AP poll history to have a home win and road win over AP No. 1 opponents in the same season, according to ESPN Research.
Florida shot 13-for-33 from 3-point range, while Auburn shot 32% from long distance, finishing 7-for-22.
The Gators trailed by six with 5:58 left in the first half before going on a 14-2 run and taking control of the game. They scored 23 of the final 30 points before halftime and went on to lead by as many as 21 points early in the second half.
Auburn entered with the second-longest active winning streak in Division I men's basketball behind only Duke, which has won 16 straight heading into Saturday's game at Clemson.
Tigers leading scorer Johni Broome, a fifth-year senior and preseason Associated Press All-American who is considered a contender for national player of the year, had 18 points and 11 rebounds as Auburn (21-2, 9-1) had its nine-game conference winning streak halted.
Miles Kelly scored 22 points, Tahaad Pettiford added 14 and Chaney Johnson 13 for the Tigers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hawks request waivers on newly acquired Hyland
ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks requested waivers on Bones Hyland on Saturday, two days after the guard was obtained from the LA Clippers.
The Clippers acquired guard Bogdan Bogdanovic and three second-round draft picks from the Hawks for guard Terance Mann and Hyland in a trade announced late Thursday.
On Friday, the Hawks completed their trade of forward De'Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, future second-round picks and pick swaps.
Hawks general manager Landry Fields didn't include Hyland in his discussion about the team's future during a Friday news conference, so Saturday's move was not a surprise.
Hyland appeared in 20 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 7.2 points, 1.4 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 11.1 minutes. The 6-foot-2 guard has played in 182 games across four NBA seasons with Denver and the Clippers.
Sources: Pacers to sign Len after clearing waivers
The Washington Wizards are expected to waive center Alex Len, who plans to sign with the Indiana Pacers upon clearing waivers, sources told ESPN.
In his 12th NBA season, Len provides frontcourt depth for Pacers.
The Wizards acquired Len from the Sacramento Kings in a three-way trade this week in a deal that centered on Marcus Smart going from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Wizards.
Len had played in 36 games for the Kings this year, averaging 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds.
LeBron out vs. Pacers due to ankle soreness
LOS ANGELES -- Lakers star LeBron James was ruled out of Saturday's game against the Indiana Pacers because of left ankle soreness, the team announced.
Newly acquired star Luka Doncic was out because of a left calf strain. Doncic is targeting making his Lakers debut when L.A. hosts the Utah Jazz on Monday, a source familiar with Doncic's plans told ESPN. Center Mark Williams, whom L.A. acquired from the Charlotte Hornets in a separate deal, was also ruled out, with coach JJ Redick saying the trade is still "pending."
It was James' fourth missed game this season. He is averaging 24.5 points on 51.6% shooting (39.1% from 3), 9.0 assists and 7.8 rebounds in this, his 22nd season. James scored a season-high 42 points on 14-for-25 shooting with 17 rebounds and eight assists in the Lakers' win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. It was the first time James topped the 40-point plateau since turning 40 years old in December.
The Lakers have won four straight games and 10 of their past 12 to move up to No. 5 in the Western Conference standings. Indiana, which has won seven of its last 10, is No. 4 in the Eastern Conference and coming off a 119-112 win over the LA Clippers on Thursday.
Sources: Simmons bought out; will join Clippers
Ben Simmons has agreed to a contract buyout with the Brooklyn Nets and intends to sign with the LA Clippers after clearing waivers, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Saturday.
A three-time All-Star, Simmons joins the Clippers as a high-upside addition in the buyout field. The Clippers have had tremendous success on the buyout market in recent years, with productive stints from Russell Westbrook, Nicolas Batum and Reggie Jackson.
Simmons, 28, has spent three seasons in Brooklyn since he was acquired in a deal that sent James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers. He has dealt with a variety of injuries in those years and has played more than 40 games just once with the Nets. In leaving the franchise, he gave back $1.1 million, the prorated minimum contract, in his buyout, sources told Charania.
Simmons now will team up with Harden in Los Angeles for a Clippers team that entered play Saturday seventh in the Western Conference standings after dropping three straight.
This season, Simmons is averaging 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 25 minutes per game. He figures to give the Clippers another much-needed playmaker and ball handler who can help alleviate some of the pressure on Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
The Clippers also added Bogdan Bogdanovic this week to help create more offense and shotmaking for a team that has exceeded expectations this season because of its stingy defense. The Clippers traded Terance Mann to Atlanta as part of the deal that landed Bogdanovic. At 6-foot-10, Simmons can be the Swiss Army knife-like utility player that Mann was supposed to be for coach Ty Lue this season.
The Clippers will certainly hope that Simmons will be able to create more shots for teammates, be another defender with size and help on the glass as they continue to push for a top-six spot in the playoffs after the All-Star break.
Simmons is in the final year of a five-year, maximum contract he signed with the Sixers. He's set to hit free agency this summer. In addition to the Clippers, Simmons also met with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.
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