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In eight previous Tests between these two sides, South Africa have beaten Bangladesh seven times by an innings and once by five wickets inside four days

The Preview by Mohammad Isam in Chittagong20-Jul-2015Match factsTuesday, July 21-25
Start time 0930 local (0330 GMT)1:50

Wet build-up to Chittagong Test

Big pictureIn eight previous Tests between these two sides, South Africa have beaten Bangladesh seven times by an innings and once by five wickets inside four days. That record does not inspire confidence in a contest during the upcoming two-Test series, but Bangladesh’s recent limited-overs successes have created a sense of anticipation.After losing the two T20Is and the first ODI, Bangladesh bounced back to win the one-day series against South Africa with commanding victories in the last two games. Though their leadership is different in Tests – the ODI captain Mashrafe Mortaza does not play Tests – Mushfiqur Rahim’s side will include several of their short-form successes.Batsman Soumya Sarkar played Bangladesh’s last three Tests – against Pakistan and India – on the back of his limited-overs exploits, and now seamer Mustafizur Rahman is set to have a first taste of Test cricket after an exception start to his ODI career. Mustafizur will be expected to provide a much-needed edge to a lackluster bowling line-up. Rubel Hossain and Mohammad Shahid are the other pace bowlers in contention but Bangladesh are likely to play two at most. Spin will also be key, with Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam and Jubair Hossain forming the attack.South Africa do not have AB de Villiers so they are increasingly dependent on the captain Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy. These three will be expected to hold the batting line-up together, with Dean Elger and Reeza Hendricks at the top. The spinner could either be Simon Harmer or Aaron Phangiso while the pace attack will comprise Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander. Except for Philander, the rest have been in good Test form.Bangladesh will rely on the experience of Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes and Shakib and hope they combine effectively with the youth of Mominul Haque and Soumya to counter a dangerous bowling attack.Form guideBangladesh DLDWW
South Africa WDWWDPlayers to watchMominul Haque made two half-centuries in the two Tests against Pakistan and 30 against India. At no. 3, he adds stability to the Test team, but not having played the limited-overs games, he will need to adapt quickly to the South African side to build on his performances.South Africa coach Russell Domingo said he was looking forward to Dean Elgar making an impact in South Africa’s top order. Elgar is a compact player who could be key to how the visitors start against Bangladesh’s spinners. He is coming into this series having made scores of 208*, 122 and 79 among his last seven first-class innings for Titans in March, and 44, 20 and 98 in three innings for Surrey in June.Team newsMushfiqur said Litton Das would keep wicket, which means Nasir Hossain will not find a place in Bangladesh’s XI. The hosts will have to choose between a third spinner and a second seamer.Bangladesh (possible): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), 5 Shakib Al Hasan , 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Soumya Sarkar, 8 Litton Das (wk), 9 Taijul Islam, 10 Jubair Hossain/Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Rubel HossainSouth Africa are likely to open the batting with Reeza Hendricks, and will have to choose between Stiaan van Zyl and Temba Bavuma in the middle order. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is unlikely to feature in the XI, while offspinner Harmer and left-armer Phangiso are competing for one spot.South Africa (possible): 1 Reeza Hendricks, 2 Dean Elgar, 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 Hashim Amla (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 Quinton de Kock (wk), 7 Stiaan van Zyl, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Simon Harmer/Aaron Phangiso, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Morne MorkelPitch and conditionsThe straw-coloured surface at the Zahu Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium is likely to be batting-friendly to start with before spin comes into play. The lead-up to the Test was wet and although the forecast is improving, rain could play a part.Stats and trivia Among the present players, Hashim Amla has the most runs (292) and Dale Steyn has the most wickets (22) in Tests between Bangladesh and South Africa. There is an experience imbalance in Bangladesh’s attack. While Shakib is nearing 150 wickets, the next highest is Taijul Islam with 35.Quotes”We have to play to our potential. Imrul, Tamim and Mini are world class as well. Then we have Mushy and Shakib. The battle will be at the start of the game.”

Sri Lanka have sometimes seemed to be physically incapable of winning; habitually trading strong positions for plunging losses. Bangladesh, meanwhile, have taken on an irresistible underdog mien, not dissimilar to Sri Lanka’s class of 1996

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando27-Feb-2016Match factsSunday, February 28, 2016
Start time 1930 local (1330 GMT)2:41

We have good natural talent – Malinga

Big PictureWhen Sri Lanka were last in Bangladesh, in 2014, they seemed to be physically incapable of losing. Kumar Sangakkara spent so much time at the crease, the image of his backside is probably burned into wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim’s retinas. Lahiru Thirimanne was plundering runs at the top of the order. Nuwan Kulasekara’s inswing, and Lasith Malinga’s yorkers were humming. Even matches that Sri Lanka should have lost, were somehow turned around – often by outrageous performances, occasionally by umpiring error.2016 sees two very different teams preparing for the contest. Over the past year, Sri Lanka have sometimes seemed to be physically incapable of winning; habitually trading strong positions for plunging losses. Bangladesh, meanwhile, have taken on an irresistible underdog mien, not dissimilar to Sri Lanka’s class of 1996. They are rising. They have unique talents, like Mustafizur Rahman and Soumya Sarkar. And they are led by talisman-warhorse Mashrafe Mortaza.Some more experienced players in this Sri Lanka team have known only Bangla-bashing in their time. But they will know that this time, their buttocks are in danger of feeling the sting of the shoe, which might have switched feet.The visitors will at least be pleased that Bangladesh’s ODI dominance at home hasn’t yet transferred to the shortest format. They will not be pleased that the hosts’ victory over qualifiers UAE was more comprehensive than their own.Bangladesh’s cricket has often been unfavourably compared with Sri Lanka’s, in the witless campaign to deride their Full Member status. On Sunday, we may get some idea as to whether Bangladesh have gained ground on Sri Lanka, at least in their own country, in the shortest format.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh WLLLW
Sri Lanka WLLWLWatch out forA player who made promising starts, then got himself out, when Sri Lanka last toured, Mahmudullah has now matured into a matchwinner for Bangladesh. In this format, his offspin also adds a little balance to the side. He arrived at No. 6 on Friday, and massaged his team’s total towards competitiveness, holding out until the final over to break into a sprint. His unbeaten 36 and 2 for 5, typified the kind of performance Bangladesh have now come to expect from Mahmudullah.As Kusal Perera is out and his replacements are misfiring, Dinesh Chandimal may be Sri Lanka’s last hope in the opening position. He often takes a little time to settle in, but has been known to clear the infield, on his good days. With Tillakaratne Dilshan often playing the quieter, longer innings as well, Chandimal may well have to hone his knack for hitting over the top during the Powerplay. He made a good start in his new role against UAE, but will face sterner bowling on Sunday.Teams newsBangladesh are unlikely to make many changes because they are looking for stability in their batting line-up. Their bowling attack is also doing well, and may also stay unchanged.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Soumya Sarkar, 2 Mohammad Mithun, 3 Sabbir Rahman, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Nurul Hasan (wk), 8 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 9 Al-Amin Hossain, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Taskin AhmedSimilarly, Sri Lanka are likely to trial their new-look top order again, and will probably back their experienced bowlers once more. However, there is some doubt over Lasith Malinga’s knee which continues to trouble him despite the long break from international cricket. Sri Lanka will make a call on his availability on match day.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Dinesh Chandimal, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Milinda Siriwardana, 4 Dasun Shanaka, 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Chamara Kapugedara, 7 Shehan Jayasuriya, 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9 Rangana Herath, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Lasith Malinga/ Thisara PereraPitch and conditionsMirpur has seen low-scoring games so far in the main draw. The weather is expected to be good for this match.Stats and trivia Bangladesh have not beaten Sri Lanka in four T20s so far. Lasith Malinga’s economy rate of 6.43 against Bangladesh is his best against any Full Member side. Shakib Al Hasan needs 87 runs to become the first Bangladesh batsman to score 1000 in T20 internationals.Quotes”Our confidence was slightly shaken after losing the first game but the win over UAE will certainly help us get that back. In fact, it will help us that we beat them convincingly, especially ahead of the next game against Sri Lanka.”
“In this tournament it’s very hard to say which team is the best. But we are always looking to maximise our strengths and our abilities.”

Megan Schutt, Australia’s Player of the Match against Ireland in Delhi, has welcomed the prospect of a probable semi-final showdown with England at the same venue on Wednesday

Andrew Miller in Delhi26-Mar-2016Megan Schutt, Australia’s Player of the Match against Ireland in Delhi, has welcomed the prospect of a possible semi-final showdown with England at the same venue on Wednesday, after helping put her team’s quest for a fourth consecutive World T20 title back on track with figures of 3 for 29 in a comfortable seven-wicket victory.Australia’s victory, which was wrapped up with 40 balls to spare, has drawn them back level with New Zealand on six points in Group A and their spot in the semi-finals was sealed after New Zealand beat South Africa Women.Assuming there are no further upsets in the women’s draw, England will finish top of Group B if they can overcome Pakistan in Chennai on Sunday, which means that the only two teams ever to have won the women’s World T20 are on course to tussle for a solitary place in the final. England won the inaugural event at Lord’s in 2009, but Australia have claimed each of the last three titles, in 2010, 2012 and 2014.”It’s always a good match-up whenever we play England,” Schutt said. “I don’t think there’s ever been a match when either of us has blown the other out of the park. No matter what the conditions are, we will both have to adapt, but I think it will be a cracking game.”Schutt admitted that her team’s prior knowledge of the conditions at the Feroze Shah Kotla could prove to be handy on Wednesday, and backed her team’s spinners, Jess Jonassen and Kirsten Beams, to put the squeeze on a slow surface. Alongside the medium pace of Rene Farrell, who took 2 for 11, the trio conceded just 39 runs in their 12 mid-innings overs.”Obviously it’s a bit of an advantage to see the ground before the opposition,” Schutt said. “I think here in the subcontinent it is very effective having the spinners, getting though overs quick, bowling back to back while tying down the runs. Hopefully we can keep up that strategy going forward.”On Australia’s overall campaign, Schutt insisted they were back in control of their destiny following their “hiccup” against New Zealand. The speed of today’s victory was also a boon to Australia’s net run-rate, which Schutt admitted had been at the back of the team’s thoughts.”We were all thinking about it,” she said. “Obviously we have to win the game first and that was what we went out there to do today. The batters did really well to chase it down as quickly as they could and it’s in the hands of the other game now.”Obviously we had a bit of a hiccup against New Zealand but I’d rather get that out of the way in the group stages than the semi-finals. Obviously there’s lots of improvement to go, we still haven’t put out that perfect game, but hopefully we can produce that if results go our way and we get to the semi.”England haven’t been at their best throughout the tournament either. Twice they have taken apparently comfortable run-chases down to the wire, including an inordinately tight finish against West Indies in Dharmasala on Thursday, and Schutt was hopeful of preying on their anxieties if they do end up meeting in Delhi next week.”I was watching their run chase the other night,” she said. “It came down to the last ball and the last wicket, so hopefully we can get them juggling those wickets as well.”

A round-up of all the news coming out of the IPL, on April 25, 2016

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Apr-2016Delhi Daredevils batsman Sanju Samson helped set up his team’s third win of the season, on Saturday, with 60 off 48 balls. Coming in at No.3, after Quinton de Kock was dismissed in the second over, Samson rebuilt the innings with allrounder JP Duminy and pressed on to score his fifth half-century against Mumbai Indians. Samson did so without taking too many risks, which is something Virat Kohli has mastered.”I picked up one big point from watching Virat bat,” Samson told . During each of his innings, he (Kohli) was scoring consistently. But the [important] thing was that he played risk-free cricket in the T20 format [during ICC World T20]. I think it is a great lesson [for] all youngsters that we can play risk-free cricket in T20 and get runs too and that’s what I applied today.”On 26 off 27 balls at one point, Samson took Harbhajan Singh for a six and a four in the 12th over. JP Duminy then took 22 runs off 11 balls from Jasprit Bumrah.”He [Duminy] gave me great support in the middle,” Samson said. “We had a good clear plan… It is mainly about targeting some opponents and some bowlers. The decision has to be clear. Against a good team like the Mumbai Indians we have to be very good in our planning and we were this time.”Samson also said he was looking forward to finish games for his side. “I love to finish games,” he said. “It takes a bit of character and it’s a great challenge to finish matches and win matches for your team.””We prepared really well before the auction” – Raina
Playing their first IPL, Gujarat Lions have been the early pace-setters along with Kolkata Knight Riders, with four wins in five matches. Lions captain Suresh Raina attributed the team’s success to smart buys before and at the auction.Lions picked Raina himself, Ravindra Jadeja, Brendon McCullum, James Faulkner and Dwayne Bravo at the player draft in Mumbai in December and built their squad with a sprinkling of good Indian players at the auction.”We prepared really well before the auction,” Raina told . “We picked well at the auction and got a bunch of players we wanted. We have won four of our five matches so far and for that the credit goes to the coaching staff of Hodgy (Brad Hodge), Heath Streak, Shitanshu Kotak and all the members of the support staff.”Raina said that his captaincy benefitted from his association with MS Dhoni over the “last 10-15 years”.”I have learnt a lot from the likes of Baz [McCullum], Bravo, Fleming and MS Dhoni,” Raina said. “I have spent a lot of time with MS over the last 10-15 years and I have seen how he goes about his job as a captain before and during a game. I keep talking to him and asking him questions in the field, standing at slip or point, as to what he is thinking and why he made a particular move.”

Steven Finn has recovered from injury and is primed to make an impact when England begin their three-Test Investec series against Sri Lanka next week

Alan Gardner14-May-2016″Use your frustration as motivation.” That was the simple advice Trevor Bayliss emailed to Steven Finn last month. Finn had received what might be described as a mild ECB ticking off for talking about missing the World T20 despite being, in his opinion, fit to play and England’s head coach was keen to channel it into a positive response.Finn’s publically expressed disappointment barely qualified as an outburst but he has had his share of frustrations over the last few years, starting with the problems surrounding his run-up and action and then more recently through injury. Having made a triumphant comeback during last summer’s Ashes, he was forced out of the UAE series with a foot problem, missed the final Test in South Africa with a side strain and then suffered a calf strain leading up to the World T20.Instead of being part of England’s run to the final in Mumbai, Finn was left to do pre-season with Middlesex, where he offered his thoughts in a couple of press engagements. He has since spoken to the “medical people, selectors, the people who made the decision” to clear up the matter and Bayliss will hope to have a bowler primed to make an impact when England begin their three-Test Investec series against Sri Lanka next week.”I shouldn’t have been as vocal as I was when I came out and said those things. I’ve accepted what’s happened, I’ve had conversations with the people that I mentioned in that interview and it’s all fine,” Finn said. “I missed the World Cup because I was injured, you’re disappointed when you miss out on world tournaments … I was in the wrong, I’ve accepted that, I’ve spoken to the people who were affected by the interview and everything is fine now.”Trevor actually sent me an email, he said ‘use your frustration as motivation to take wickets in the Test matches this summer’, which I think was the perfect response to it. You can channel your frustration into the wrong avenues and it can affect you. If it’s used in the right manner it can be a positive thing as well.”Taylor retirement ‘very sad’

Steven Finn has said that James Taylor’s successor at short leg will have “a lot to live up to”. Taylor took two brilliant catches – the second off Finn’s bowling – in England’s Johannesburg Test victory in January but has since been forced to retire at the age of 26 after the discovery of a life-threatening heart defect.
“Whoever fields in there now has got a lot to live up to,” Finn said. “It’s just very sad, we’re all saddened by what’s happened, I think the solace that we can take is he’s still with us. It’s a shame that we’ll never see him on a cricket field again because he had so much to give, but we’re glad he’s alive, glad he’s fit and well.”

Despite a call-up for the uncapped Jake Ball, Finn seems set to return to the third-seamer’s berth that has been his on a timeshare basis only since his debut six years ago. While Ball is the joint-leading wicket-taker in Division One of the Championship, with 19 at 21.15, Finn’s 12 wickets have cost more than 30 apiece and he admits that it has taken a while to get his “competitive head back on” after a three-month lay-off following the Johannesburg Test in January.”I’ve bowled some good spells this summer, I’ve bowled some not-great spells this summer,” he said. “I know it’s in there.”Finn’s eight-wicket haul at Edgbaston last summer, having not played a Test in more than two years, was one of the highlights of England regaining the Ashes, as well as vindication for his own hard work with Richard Johnson, Middlesex’s bowling coach, and the ECB’s Kevin Shine. Further sessions with Johnson beckon before Finn joins up with England next week, as well as work at Loughborough with Raph Brandon, the ECB’s head of science and medicine and the man who played a vital role in helping to re-groove Finn’s run-up.”I’ve learned a lot about myself over the last couple of years, I know a lot more,” Finn said. “I’m more in tune with my game and what I’m trying to do to get people out, and with my action, etcetera, so I feel in a good place.”Headingley has not been an auspicious venue for England in recent times – they have won only once in their last six Tests in Leeds – and it was there, against South Africa in 2012, that Finn’s habit of kneeing the stumps in his delivery stride became a problem that was soon to escalate. It is a ground where it can be “hard to find your rhythm” due to the slope but also offers extra pace (bowling downhill) and bounce (uphill) once mastered.Steven Finn has taken 12 wickets in four matches for Middlesex so far this season•Getty ImagesThose are the qualities Finn has always sought to bring to England’s attack, while the addition of an outswinger has not harmed his cause. Even if there have been a few too many four balls in his early season outings for Middlesex, he appeared relaxed about everything clicking into place again.Ball’s elevation keeps the pressure on – Mark Wood, Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett will all hope to provide further competition over the course of seven Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan – but, as Bayliss’s email hinted, Finn remains the preferred candidate to support England’s senior new-ball pair. This will be the latest in a succession of big summers as he tries to nail down his place for good.”I think I went a little bit of a way towards doing that in South Africa, but unless you are a Stuart Broad or James Anderson you are never settled in that line-up,” Finn said. “It’s a big summer for me to try and cement that spot in the team but it’s something that I’m not putting too much pressure on myself. If you put pressure on yourself it won’t come, if I relax, play with a smile on my face and let the ball do the talking, it will look after itself.”Investec is the title sponsor of Test match cricket in England. For more on Investec private banking, visit www.investec.co.uk/banking

Over the next six months, every Australian player with ambition will be vying for selection in the nation's World Cup squad.

Several A-League-based players have made an impression in the early part of the season and could be considered as an option going forward.

Which domestic league players would you take on the plane to Russia?

Scroll on…

Getty Images1Andrew Nabbout (Newcastle Jets)

After not getting much opportunity at Melbourne Victory and leaving Australia to find regular football in Malaysia, Nabbout has become a quality A-League player at the Newcastle Jets.

The 24-year-old winger surprised last season to score eight goals and win the Jets' fans player of the year award.

He has continued to improve this campaign – scoring five goals and assisting four in the first 10 games – and has even has been deployed as an emergency striker during Roy O'Donovan's injury troubles.

Nabbout would be a left-field option but his power and versatility across the attacking positions could make him a valuable squad member in Russia.

AdvertisementGetty Images2Michael Zullo (Sydney FC)

Zullo is another player who has been capped for the Socceroos at a younger age but with injuries and poor form derailing his career overseas, has now been in steady form for Sydney FC since his return to the A-League at the start of last season.

The 29-year-old is an attacking full-back, whose defensive capabilities have improved as he has become more experienced.

Left back has been a problem position during the World Cup qualifying campaign and while Aziz Behich appears to have made the spot his own with his quality performances in Turkey, Zullo will be among a number of other options considered.

Getty Images3Brandon O'Neill (Sydney FC)

The Sky Blue midfielder is reportedly being courted by the Irish national team with his form in the A-League being strong for the past 12 months.

O'Neill is a hard-working, no-frills midfielder who is deadly from long-range and also set pieces.

His steady play in a holding role could be the stabilising influence a new national team coach is looking for – particularly if Jedinak doesn't come good.

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Getty Images4Rhys Williams (Melbourne Victory)

It's fair to say that Melbourne Victory's struggling season would be worse if it wasn't for the performances of Williams at the heart of the defence.

Time and time again, Williams has been a rock in an exposed defence, showing that he is returning to the form that helped him achieve captaincy at Championship side Middlesbrough in 2012.

The 29-year-old has also proved to be adept on the ball striding into midfield and has been a threat at set pieces despite being yet to score for Kevin Muscat.

Williams has 14 caps for the national team but hasn't taken the field for the green and gold since November 2013.

At his best form he is definitely an option for the Socceroos and it appears he isn't too far off reaching this benchmark.

The former Real Madrid man is a cut above when it comes to drilling them home in the new game, but who else packs a packs a wallop?

Getty Images10. Kevin De Bruyne | CAM | Manchester City | BelgiumOverall rating: 91
Shooting: 86AdvertisementGetty Images9. Gonzalo Higuain | ST | AC Milan | ArgentinaOverall rating: 88
Shooting: 87Getty Images8. Edinson Cavani | ST | PSG | UruguayOverall rating: 89
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Getty Images7. Gareth Bale | RW | Real Madrid | WalesOverall rating: 88
Shooting: 88

It's often said that heroes should never go back to their former clubs – here's a list of 15 who have, with mixed results

Getty ImagesQuique Sanchez Flores (Watford)

The Spaniard spent just one year in charge of Watford, in which the club was relatively successful.

The 2015-16 season saw the Hornets secure comfortable survival in the Premier League, while they made waves in the FA Cup reaching the semi-final.

He was still jettisoned at the end of the campaign but returned earlier this week following the sacking of Javi Gracia. In the interim, Flores has sent time with Espanyol and Shanghai Shenhua.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesZinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)

Perhaps the best example of a coach returning to his former club is Zinedine Zidane, who stunned the footballing world when he announced his decision to stand down as Real Madrid boss after a third successive Champions League title.

He was back in the hotseat less than a year later as both Julen Lopetegui and Santi Solari flopped in the job.

Getty ImagesEddie Howe (Bournemouth)

The fresh-faced Bournemouth boss may only be 41 – and it may seem like he has been in his job forever – but this is actually his second spell in charge of the Cherries.

Initially, he took over in 2008, departing to Burnley with the south coast side still in League One. Barely 18 months later, he returned to the club, spearheading an improbable rise to the Premier League, where they are now firmly established.

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GettyimagesLeonardo Jardim (Monaco)

Monaco’s disastrous start to the 2018-19 season saw the axe quickly fall on Leonardo Jardim, who had led the team previously to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Thierry Henry took over from him but a disastrous spell saw France’s record scorer ditched and Jardim ushered quickly back in a matter of weeks after he had left the post.

With all of the 'Big Five' leagues having now wrapped up for another year, Goal picks out the best performers from across the continent

GettyJan Oblak | Atletico Madrid

Ederson may have helped Manchester City win the Premier League title but Jan Oblak was once again the best goalkeeper in Europe this season.

Of the shot-stoppers to have played at least 15 games this campaign, none had a better save percentage than the Slovenian (79.39), who kept 20 clean sheets – only Liverpool's Alisson had more – as Atletico finished second in La Liga.

AdvertisementGettyTrent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold's quick thinking may have caught Barcelona by surprise in the Champions League but the 20-year-old's deadly delivery hardly came as a shock to those who have been watching him in domestic action all season.

Indeed, as well as proving a pivotal player in the best back-line in England, the Reds right-back also broke the Premier League assists record for a defender by creating 12 goals for the Merseysiders, who finished second.

Getty ImagesVirgil van Dijk | Liverpool

The man who has made £75 million ($95m) look like a bargain!

After immediately settling into his new surroundings at Liverpool following last year's arrival from Southampton, the Netherlands international has gone from strength to strength this season, transforming the Reds' once brittle defence into the tightest in the Premier League.

Van Dijk, who has also starred during his side's run to the Champions League final, was the overwhelming choice for PFA Player of the Year and is now widely regarded as the best centre-half on the planet.

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Getty ImagesGerard Pique | Barcelona

Age looked to be catching up on Gerard Pique during an error-strewn start to the season but the 32-year-old centre-half was immaculate in La Liga from October on, with his performance in the crucial win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu an undoubted highlight.

In short, he went from vulnerable to undroppable as Barca stormed to another Liga title and his importance to the Catalans' defensive solidity was best illustrated by the way in which the Blaugrana went to pieces at the back when he was rested for the 4-4 draw with Villarreal at El Madrigal.

Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga as they put three unanswered goals past 10-man Elche on Saturday.

Robert Lewandowski added another two goals to his La Liga tally while his strike partner Memphis Depay also got on the scoresheet in an extremely convincing victory to prove he's the man to start alongside him regularly.

The task of the hosts at Camp Nou was made very simple inside quarter of an hour as Gonzalo Verdu was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Lewandowski was the man he fouled so it probably saved an opening goal but it left his side with a mountain to climb.

The Poland striker made sure that wouldn't be his only chance to score. In the 34th minute, he added the simplest of finishing touches to a well-worked attacking move, converting Alex Balde's pinpoint low cross.

It was Depay's turn to find the back of the net seven minutes later as he turned his defender brilliantly before firing an unstoppable effort past Edgar Badia.

The only goal of the second half came just moments after the restart. The ball fell loose in the penalty area and Depay retrieved it before laying a simple chance on for Lewandowski who made no mistake.

The game finished 3-0 to Barca, here are the winners, losers and ratings from Camp Nou.

Getty ImagesWinners

Memphis Depay:

As he continues to have to scrap for his place in Xavi's side, Memphis Depay did his chances of a regular starting berth the world of good. He was excellent on the ball throughout the game and his performance was capped off perfectly with a great goal and a very clever assist for Lewandowski.

Robert Lewandowski:

He scores goals, it's as simple as that. After his movement caused Verdu to drag him down when he was clean through on goal, Lewandowski cashed in. His two goals certainly won't be amongst the best he has ever scored but they showed his ever-impressive striker's instinct and extended his lead in the race for the Pichichi.

Pedri:

Yet another top-drawer showing from Pedri. His passing was typically accurate throughout and, on another day, he would have come away with an assist or two to his name having created five chances. If he's this good at 19 then it's scary to consider how good he could become.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLosers

Gonzalo Verdu:

The Elche captain let his team-mates down when he decided to drag Lewandowski to the ground after just 13 minutes. While he stopped what probably would have been the opening goal, leaving his side a man down cost them any chance of an already-unlikely result.

Francisco Rodriguez:

Like his captain, the Elche manager was shown a red card by referee Alejandro Muniz. He was understandably frustrated with what he had seen but to unleash a barrage of abuse on the match official was extremely unprofessional.

Franck Kessie:

With a number of strong performances around him, Franck Kessie struggled to stamp his authority on the game. He struggled to keep his arms to himself as he was booked for a flailing elbow inside five minutes. He could have been shown another yellow card later in the first half when he caught another opponent with an outstretched arm. He was replaced by Gavi at half-time.

Getty ImagesBarcelona Ratings: Defence

Marc-Andre ter Stegen (7/10): He could've stayed at home this afternoon. Made one extremely easy late save and completed each of his 13 attempted passes.

Jules Kounde (7/10): Played well despite being used at right-back. Got forward well and contributed effectively.

Ronald Araujo (6/10): Like Ter Stegen, he didn't have much to do at all. However, he should've scored in the second half when he was picked out in space inside the six-yard box.

Eric Garcia (6/10): A solid performance. He did everything asked of him and was scarcely troubled before being replaced by Bellerin on the hour mark.

Alex Balde (8/10): Continues to keep Jordi Alba and Marcos Alonso out of the team with strong performances at left-back. He was impressive yet again and provided assists for the first two goals.

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Franck Kessie (5/10): An afternoon to forget for the Ivorian. He struggled to keep pace with the game in the first half and was perhaps fortunate not to be sent off for two separate flailing arms. Withdrawn at half-time for Gavi.

Frenkie De Jong (7/10): Won't have many easier afternoons. He controlled the tempo nicely and played a key role in a number of Barca's attacking moves.

Pedri (8/10): Yet another performance beyond his years. He continues to show why he's arguably the best young midfielder in world football. What a player.