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Lost in the brilliance of Steven Taylors thumping century and another five-wicket haul for Timil Patel in USAs eight-wicket win over Oman was a performance that might not have been as statistically impressive but no doubt had an inspirational impact on the hosts. Its not often that a player is picked to make his debut when practically half-fit, especially when the injury in question is a hamstring strain for a fast bowler.But Ali Khans skills with the new ball are rated so highly by USA coach Pubudu Dassanayake that it was deemed worth a gamble to pick him for the first time. It paid off handsomely. Khan took the big scalp of Zeeshan Maqsood in the first over, then claimed one more to finish with 2 for 27 in six overs. Dassanayake told ESPNcricinfo after the win that USA knew going into the game that Khan would only be able to bowl one spell, but it was worth the risk in USAs biggest match of WCL Division Four and the win put USA in the drivers seat for a promotion spot.It was a tough decision for us because Jessy [Singh] was really performing well and all our fast bowlers are doing well but when you compare Ali, Ali is in a different level, Dassanayake said. He has that pace, he has that swing; especially against left-handers he bowls very well. The last two games we didnt pick up enough wickets early and so we were looking for that.Once he said that even with a shortened run-up he can come and bowl, we were okay for that because the swing that he has normally with the new ball definitely is going to bring wickets. We are not even worrying about him to bowl a second spell. Its just about the six or seven overs with the new ball and get a couple of early wickets so were gonna keep doing that.Dassanayake says what cemented his call to play Khan was his performance in a training session in the lead-up to the game where he continuously troubled USAs opening combo of Fahad Babar and Steven Taylor. Despite bowling off a shortened run-up and not at full pace, his swing was a valuable commodity that made him a must have in the line-up.We had one practice session just before the tournament where Steven was batting early in that session and Ali came and bowled some brilliant balls for the left-hander, Dassanayake said. So thats the time we thought he can do the job even with a short run-up. Doctors and the physios are working behind the scenes to get him in whatever best fit.I think he is one of the most valuable players that we have. I have to be careful that we dont hurt him for the future but weve just got to manage to get through this tournament with him if hes willing to take that pain and play the next few games.It wasnt just Khans bowling that uplifted the team. After his six overs, he remained on the field for the entire innings rather than coming off. Though he dropped two catches, he is regarded as one of USAs better fielders. Khan said after the game that he wanted to show his USA team-mates that he had their back in the field after they supported him coming into the XI and that he wasnt going to slump off the field after bowling his spell.Dassanayake says Khan is continuously being monitored but at the moment his hamstring injury hasnt become any worse. The plan is for Khan to play against Denmark because if USA wins it will clinch their promotion into Division Three, allowing him to sit out the last two games. Dassanayake, though, doesnt want to push Khan too hard and risk injuring him more severely and hurt his chances in the future, particularly since he is contracted with Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL as well.I think we still need one more win and I know that Denmark also has left-handers in the top of the order, Dassanayake said. Those are kind of gambles. I think we are playing with his fitness. We dont want to hurt him too much but then still we need to manage and also he is a very strong character.He wants to perform for the team. He knows how important his role is for the team so I think overall everybody is putting in that effort and Im very happy how things are moving.Curtis Samuel Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Christian McCaffrey Youth Jersey . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. http://www.shoppanthersonline.us/panthers-christian-miller-blue-jersey/ . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. Sam Mills Youth Jersey . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. Greg Olsen Womens Jersey . 4 Villanova with a 96-68 drubbing on Monday. Wragge hit 9-of-14 from behind the arc, matching Kyle Korvers school record for 3-pointers in a game set in 2003, as Creighton (16-3, 6-1 Big East broke a conference record with 21 treys in the rout.The memory of how Michigan lost to Michigan State last season is one of those indelible moments that never goes away.Only 10 seconds away from winning, the Wolverines watched punter Blake ONeill bobble a snap and inexplicably fumble the ball into the arms of Michigan States Jalen Watts-Jackson, who returned the ball 38 yards for the winning score as time expired.The Spartans insane 27-23 victory marked their seventh victory in the last eight meetings with the Wolverines. The teams meet again Saturday in East Lansing (Noon ET, ESPN) and the Michigan players are certainly anticipating the opportunity to exact revenge.Senior safety Dymonte Thomas was on the punt team and has replayed last seasons final play in his mind countless times.I was on the field when that play happened, Thomas said after last weeks 41-8 trouncing of Illinois. I just couldnt believe what took place, and we had that bye week after, and during that whole bye week thats the only thing I thought about. I couldnt think about anything else and couldnt wait to get revenge.Next Saturday, weve got our chance and our opportunity, and so Im just excited and ready to go out and play with these guys. I love my teammates, and I love the way that we are playing together, and its going to be fun playing next Saturday, especially since its a rivalry game.Michigan State (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) has endured a down season to reduce the luster of this seasons matchup. The Spartans have lost five consecutive games, including four by double digits.The college football power in the state has seemingly switched hands with the Wolverines (7-0, 4-0) ranked second in the nation in only their second season under coach Jim Harbaugh.But Harbaugh isnt about to view the Spartans as anything but a super dangerous opponent.It doesnt matter whats happened before this week. For us or for our opponent, it never does, Harbaugh said at a press conference. (What matters) is what happens on the game day. We know the task in front of us. We know the challenge.Its up to us to go out there and prepare for that game so we can go out there and be confident, execute and have a chance to be successful.The Michigan State players know they are viewed as disappointments but also are aware that ending the current slide againnst their main rivals would be particularly sweet.ddddddddddddAnd a good number of them, such as senior linebacker Riley Bullough, have never walked off the field a loser against the Wolverines.Bulloughs lineage of family members as Spartans includes older and younger brothers, uncles, his father and a grandfather.Ive been watching this game ever since I can remember, obviously been a Spartan fan my entire life, and growing up, it seems like it was Michigans game, Bullough said at a press conference. They were in control of the series when I was young, but thats kind of turned in the last few years, so to kind of be a part of that has meant a tremendous amount to me.So this game is huge for us this week and our entire season, I think, so were going to go out and play hard and do everything we can to get a win.Bullough was ejected for targeting in last weeks 28-17 loss to Maryland as Michigan States woes continued.We need to stay together, and we need to understand that we lost the football game, not one specific person, we lost the football game, Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said. If we can at least all accept responsibility in that, then I think we all move forward.Redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke will be the starting quarterback, making his third career start against perhaps the toughest defense in the nation.Michigan allowed only 172 yards against Illinois, marking the fourth straight game that the unit gave up fewer than 200 yards.The Wolverines rank first in the nation in scoring defense (10.0 points per game), total defense (207.0 yards per game), passing defense (111) and third-down conversion defense (13 percent). Michigan also ranks fourth in rushing defense at 96.0.Its a tribute to all of our hard work in the spring and the summer, cornerback Jourdan Lewis said. Its paying off right now, the fruits of our labor.Sophomore outside linebacker Jabrill Peppers, who has 10 tackles for losses, continues to dabble on offense while flashing his gamebreaking return skills.Sophomore quarterback Wilton Speight has thrown 13 touchdowns and been intercepted only twice for an offense averaging 48.7 points per game. ' ' '