Kritik und Lob » 54 ODIs between these countries,

Steve Nash believes Kobe Bryant is ahead of schedule in his recovery from Achilles surgery, is hopeful that the Los Angeles Lakers will finally find the chemistry they lacked a year ago and is finding himself fueled by the memories of an injury-filled season. On Tuesday, however, basketball wont be his sport of choice. The two-time NBA MVP gets to become a soccer player again -- if only briefly. The Lakers guard who grew up playing soccer and still has deep ties within the sport will have a tryout of sorts with Inter Milan, before the storied team opens play in the Guinness International Champions Cup tournament thats coming to the U.S. next week. The tournament features eight club teams from around the world, with a winner to be crowned in Miami Gardens, Fla. on Aug. 7. "Its a dream come true to get a chance to try out, not just to try out but to take the field with Inter Milan, one of the great, storied franchises in professional sports," Nash said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I feel like a little kid." Tournament officials said the tryout will take place in New Jersey, two days before Inter Milan opens its portion of the Guinness event in Indianapolis against Chelsea. And Nash expects to be feeling a fairly ramped-up level of nervousness when he laces up his cleats for that training session. "Its going to be a lot higher than it is playing basketball, for sure," Nash said. "I still get nervous for basketball games from time to time. When I get out on the court, I dont get nervous, but before. To go out there with guys that I look up to and watch play, its definitely going to raise the nerves. Ill be really nervous and really excited." The tournament begins Saturday when AC Milan visits Valencia. Juventus and Everton meet Wednesday in another first-round game, with the other opening matchups being the Inter-Chelsea game and Real Madrid taking on the L.A. Galaxy on Thursday. The European clubs are primarily using the event as preseason training and the matches will allow for many more substitutions than normal, as is common with exhibition matches. "Guinness has kind of taken it to another level by making a tournament out of it," Nash said. "Theres stakes involved. For Guinness to bring seven of the worlds biggest clubs over and play with the Galaxy, thats phenomenal exposure for the game and itll help grow the game in North America." The Victoria native played soccer and hockey as a child before starting his basketball career as an eighth-grader, primarily because most of his friends at the time were spending more time taking corner jumpers than corner kicks. His father, John, played professional soccer in South Africa and England, and Nash remains an avid soccer fan and is part of the ownership group for the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer. As far as his "real job" goes, Nash said hes encouraged for the coming NBA season. Hes working his way back to being 100 per cent physically. His first season with the Lakers was an injury-filled one, where he was limited to 50 games because of a broken left leg and a strained right hamstring. "Ive had a really good summer of training and rehabilitating," Nash said. "Im not 100 per cent, but Im pretty close. Good enough to go out there Tuesday. Im thrilled Ive had this time to build myself back up, and I believe Ill have a great year." Last season was a struggle for the Lakers, and the off-season hasnt exactly been tranquil, either. Dwight Howard left Los Angeles for Houston, Bryant has been working his way through rehabilitation for his Achilles, and the Lakers added new pieces like Chris Kaman, Nick Young and Wesley Johnson. "Were all just excited for another opportunity," Nash said. "Weve got some terrific players coming off of difficult seasons. I know Pau Gasol after his injuries, Kobes coming off a difficult injury, I was injured for the better part of the season. The three of us are eager to get back out there and theres other guys, Jordan Hill, Steve Blake, who missed a lot of time last year. "Were excited to see what we can make of ourselves. We really are going to try for the second consecutive year to find chemistry and identity, but were excited for it, so well see." Nash said he isnt letting go of the bad memories from last season, using them instead as motivation for the coming year. And when the new season starts, he said he wouldnt be at all surprised to see Bryant -- who tore his Achilles tendon in April -- not just ready, but raring to go. "I dont think hed have it any other way," Nash said. "I know hes very focused and determined and he plans to come back as strong as ever, probably in record time." Carolina Hurricanes Shirts . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. Hurricanes Jerseys China . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . https://www.cheaphurricanes.com/ .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. Carolina Hurricanes Store . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. Carolina Hurricanes Gear . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Match Facts Wednesday, November 16Start time 0930 local (0730 GMT)Big Picture Visiting teams to Zimbabwe often use their time here as a looking glass into the future: which new combinations might be worth exploring? Who are the up-and-coming players? Whos staking a claim for the next major tour? While West Indies circumstances might be a little more tempestuous, both they and Sri Lanka have picked forward-thinking squads for this series, and there is plenty to prove on both sides.This is particularly true of the batsmen. Darren Bravo has been culled from West Indies squad for his outburst on Twitter, and they are also missing batsman Marlon Samuels, wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin and allrounder Kieron Pollard, depriving them of a combined 521 ODIs worth of experience. With 44 ODIs to his name Johnson Charles is, by some distance, West Indies most experienced batsman. Several somewhat unknown entities have a chance to stake a claim.The same goes for Sri Lanka, who already have one eye on their tour of South Africa in the new year. Sri Lanka have captain Upul Tharangas 189-match ODI experience to call upon, with Kusal Pereras international nous to back him up, but not an awful lot beyond that. Their relative familiarity with Zimbabwean conditions and the sparkling form of young batsman Dhananjaya de Silva may give them an advantage, but they will likely find themselves more tested by West Indies attack than by anything Zimbabwe have thrown at them in the last few weeks.Sulieman Benn and Sunil Narine have their wiles, and Shannon Gabriels improved fitness and balanced action enhances his menace. Captain Jason Holder will be personally buoyed by his recent second innings five-for against Pakistan in Sharjah, but the Bravo imbroglio may dampen the momentum West Indies gained from their historic Test success over Pakistan.Or it may not, given that in recent times West Indies have rarely seemed more than a tweet or two away from controversy, and weathering such storms is all in a days work for them. On the field, however, conditions are setting this match up as a middleweight fight that will favour the most sturdy batsmen and most incisive bowlers on either side.Form Guide Sri Lanka: WLLLW (Last five completed matches, most recent first)West Indies: LLLLWIn the Spotlight Kraigg Brathwaites Herculean efforts in Sharjah helped secure West Indies five-wicket win there, but his one-day record remains rather more modest than his Test record. With no Samuels or Bravo to provide the ballast in West Indies top order, West Indies will be looking to Brathwaite to step up and glue the top order together.Sri Lankas questions around their inexperienced middle order are yet to be answered, given the tiny target and limp bowling attack they faced on Monday. How they standd up to the greater challenge provided by West Indies may be crucial to their overall success.ddddddddddddTeam News Multiple changes to their squad will have shaken West Indies up somewhat, and despite their long-form success in the UAE, West Indies recent 3-0 defeat in the ODIs against Pakistan will be in the back of their minds. All the new names in their batting line-up have a chance to clean the slate, and there are several middle-order slots up for grabs and several all-round options.West Indies (possible): 1 Johnson Charles, 2 Kraigg Brathwaite, 3 Evin Lewis, 4 Jason Mohammed, 5 Shai Hope, 6 Shane Dowrich (wk), 7 Jonathan Carter, 8 Carlos Brathwaite, 9 Jason Holder (c), 10 Sulieman Benn, 11 Shannon GabrielShehan Jayasuriya came in for some tap from Peter Moor on Monday, but there is no urgent reason for Sri Lanka to tinker with their XI. When the tri-series moves to Bulawayo, they will have expanded opportunities to play their spinners, and there should be a similar make-up to their line-up against West Indies.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Dhananjaya de Silva, 2 Kusal Perera, 3 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 4 Kusal Mendis, 5 Upul Tharanga (c), 6 Asela Gunaratne, 7 Shehan Jayasuriya, 8 Sachith Pathirana, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Suranga Lakmal, 11 Nuwan PradeepPitch and conditions Zimbabwe coach Heath Streak suggested it wasnt so much the grass on the pitch as the clouds overhead that aided swing and seam on Monday, and both the pitch and weather conditions are expected to be very similar. Much of the day is expected to be cloudy and overcast, with occasional sunny spells, while there may well be thunderstorms in the afternoon.Stats and triviaIn 54 ODIs between these countries, West Indies hold the advantage with 27 wins to Sri Lankas 24. Yet that is weighted somewhat by West Indies yesteryear prowess. Sri Lanka have won six of the last seven matches between the teamsSuranga Lakmal is Sri Lankas leading wicket-taker this year, with 11 scalps from eight matches at 26.72West Indies last visited Zimbabwe in 2007-08, when they won a five-match series 3-1, with one game abandonedQuotes Weve been facing Carl Mumba who has been bowling very fast, so West Indies pace wont be a problem, rather the ball seaming around will be the challenge for us.Sri Lanka batsman Dhananjaya de Silva feels movement, rather than pace, will be West Indies key weaponIts obviously a big impact to lose senior guys with experience who bring pedigree to your side. Its a situation where we have to cope with what we have, and gel together as quickly as possible.Jason Holders West Indies side has been shorn of several experienced players ahead of this tri-series ' ' '