s early in the fourth term.The Hawks steadied thanks to c

Reflecting on what had been a bleak year, Angelo Mathews thanked Sri Lankan fans for their support, following his teams first Test victory since October. The 106-run victory in Pallekele was just Sri Lankas second against Australia, but also Mathews first triumph over a Test-playing nation in 2016. Sri Lanka had beaten India in a T20 in Pune, but Mathews had been unavailable through injury during that series.After a rough, tough six to eight months, we needed that victory, Mathews said. In that time, there was a situation where fans were turning away from us. As cricketers we feel that, because when we play well everyone loves you. Even when you lose they may love you, but they are also disappointed. The best thing was to win this match for the fans. Its a great win for those who stayed with us, and we thank them because that support means a lot.In the past six months, we as a team got a lot of stick. But thats part and parcel of the game. When we do well we get praised. When we do badly we get a bit of stick. I think we as players need to understand that.Mathews was full of praise for Man of the Match Kusal Mendis, whose 176 had transformed the outlook of the match. Mathews said he had seen something special in Mendis as far back as December, when Sri Lanka toured New Zealand. Mendis had played only one first-class season at the time, without particularly stellar returns.The selectors said he was really good, but I hadnt seen him much to be honest, Mathews said. Once we went to NZ I thought Kusal was pretty special as well. The way he handled himself at the top of the order - it was a couple of tough tours for him as well in New Zealand and England, where it was seaming around. You dont always have to have a lot of experience. There can be exceptional players like him who can walk into the international scene and start performing.Mendis score was more than triple what any other batsman managed in the game, and had rescued Sri Lanka from a first-innings deficit of 86.Especially playing his first Test against Australia and their very good attack, Mendis showed a lot of class and a lot of temperament, Mathews said. It was not easy to bat on that wicket. It was turning rapidly and their bowlers were bowling well and fast as well. The way he played, he made it look so easy. Most of us were struggling to get runs. The way he batted, Im very excited for the future.Debutant left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan was also instrumental to the victory, taking seven wickets in the match. He was part of a three-man frontline spin attack, featuring Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera, but he turned the ball substantially more than either senior spinner.When Rangana is bowling, he is attacking but also he contains, Mathews said. We needed someone like Sandakan. Unfortunately, Dilruwan didnt bowl that well in the game, and Im sure hell come back strongly. But it was very pleasing to see Sandakan bowling his googlies, and also the batsmen were finding it very tough on this wicket. He will take the confidence of this performance forward.Mathews was quick to stress that plenty of work remained to be done in both the series, and with the team, but said the team environment had already benefited from the vibes resulting from a victory.The atmosphere in dressing room has changed a lot. Even though we lost in the recent past, weve not given up. We always had hopes. We always helped each other. 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Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson admits his side must lift in AFL finals if theyre to capture a record-equalling fourth straight premiership.The Hawks recorded a dramatic one-point victory over Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday, when they needed a win or draw to secure a top-four spot.They ticked it off in unconvincing fashion and will now face rivals Geelong in a qualifying final, having beaten the Magpies 17.10 (112) to 17.9 (111).Collingwood, who were a man down in the second half following James Aishs hamstring injury, booted four consecutive goals to hit the front with a tick under three minutes remaining.Jack Fitzpatrick, called into the Hawks side following ruckman Jon Ceglars season-ending knee injury, was the unlikely hero.Fitzpatrick, playing his first game for the club, burst through the middle and unloaded a bomb from over 55 metres out to level the scores before Paul Puopolo put the Hawks in front.Clarkson was relieved to seal a coveted double chance in finals but unhappy with many elements of the performance, particularly the ease at which Collingwood scored.We dont like giving up 17 goals and its not very often you win a game when you do, Clarkson said.So we were a bit lucky in that sense. It was a pretty open, free-flowing game - great for the fans but not so good for the heart rate of coaches.They (Geelong) were pretty impressive on Saturday. Well have to play a bit better than we did today if were going to (win).ddddddddddddIt was the sixth time this year Hawthorn have won by nine points or less.Once again the spirit of our group and resilience to just hang tough in the last five minutes and find a way to win was really important, Clarkson said.It was pretty frantic.The Hawks trailed by 16 points in the second quarter and were outplayed for much of the contest.Small forwards Cyril Rioli and Luke Breust led a spirited comeback and a snapped goal from veteran Jordan Lewis gave Hawthorn a 12-point buffer at three-quarter time.The Magpies continued to fight in front of a crowd of 52,968, levelling the scores early in the fourth term.The Hawks steadied thanks to clutch goals from James Sicily, Billy Hartung and Shaun Burgoyne, only for Collingwood to rally again.Josh Gibson could be scrutinised for a clumsy spoil on Levi Greenwood in the second quarter but AFL legend Wayne Carey expected the Hawks defender would be cleared by the match review panel.Thats no worse than Rory Sloane (who was suspended last week) but Greenwoods got no claret and thats what saves Gibson. I think hes fine, Carey said on radio station Triple M.Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley praised his sides effort.The only thing we didnt get to do was sing the song, Buckley said. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '