There was a hole at the SSC.This is not the ft-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. Sn 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 tk 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 Wds 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 rm 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 Hazlewd feels guilty for Heraths injury, but he shouldnt bother. It is Heraths teammates that kick the old man in the gonads most of all.Discount Nike React Ireland Online . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Cheap Nike React Ireland Free Shipping . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. http://www.nikereactoutletireland.com/ . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record. Discount Nike React Ireland . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. Wholesale Nike Shoes Ireland . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action.BARCELONA, Spain -- With Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all remaining quiet on the final day of the transfer window, Sevilla picked up Manchester City cast-off Samir Nasri while Valencia bolstered its defense on Wednesday.Nasri, who new Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola called overweight during the preseason, moved to Sevilla on a loan deal.He should give the Europa League winners some much needed playmaking under new manager Jorge Sampaoli following the exit of Ever Banega.Sevilla meanwhile loaned Ukraine winger Yevhen Konoplyanka to Schalke.On a relatively quiet closing day of the summer market in Spain, the biggest mover by far was Espanyol.---ESPANYOLEspanyol made several moves to complete the overhaul of its squad under new Chinese owner Chen Yansheng.After conceding eight goals in its first two matches of the season, Espanyol signed three players on deadline-day deals and shipped out four more.Espanyols final move of the night, completed right before the bell, was to secure the return of striker Alvaro Vazquez to his boyhd club from Getafe.Likely to start immediately at center back, 23-year-old Mexico international Diego Rivas arrived on loan from FC Porto.Rivaas will fill the spot left vacant after Espanyol transferred Alvaro Gonzalez to Villarreal and rescinded Michael Cianis contract.ddddddddddddhe team coached by Quique Sanchez Flores also made a change between the posts. Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez arrived on loan from AC Milan, hours after Pau Lopez left to join Tottenham. Diego Lopez will probably be a reserve for first-choice keeper Roberto Jimenez.The Barcelona-based club also said that midfielder Alex Fernandez was leaving the club.---GRANADASpanish forward Alberto Bueno rejoined his former coach at Granada on a loan from FC Porto.Bueno played his best seasons under the orders of Paco Jemez, who tk over Granada this season.Granada also brought in winger Mehi Carcela-Gonzalez from Benfica, and defender Franck Tabanou on loan from Swansea.---VALENCIAValencia bought Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay from FC Zenit and tk another Manchester City player, Eliaquim Mangala on loan.The pair of experienced center backs will help fill the void left by Shkodran Mustafi after his move to Arsenal. ' ' '