Category Uncategorized

Tom Latham to lead while Kane Williamson has been rested for the three-match series

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Dec-2023New Zealand have called up three uncapped players – allrounder Josh Clarkson, fast bowler Will O’Rourke and legspinner Adi Ashok – in their 13-man squad for the ODI series at home against Bangladesh.Tom Latham will lead the side as regular ODI captain Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, and Devon Conway have been rested ahead of the home season.Michael Bracewell (achilles), Matt Henry (hamstring), Lockie Ferguson (achilles), James Neesham (ankle), Ben Lister (hamstring) and Henry Shipley (back) were unavailable for selection due to injury. Trent Boult made himself unavailable.Ashok, the 21-year old from Auckland, had made his T20I debut against UAE in August and will be part of the squad for the second and third ODIs, when legspinner Ish Sodhi takes a planned break after the first game. Ashok has 24 wickets from 18 List A matches.Clarkson, 26, has played 68 List A games, averaging 32.37 with the bat at a strike rate of 99.48. As a medium-pacer, he’s taken 27 wickets in 23 innings at an average of 26.55 with an economy of 5.31.Canterbury’s O’Rourke, 22, has played 17 games, and taken 27 wickets at an average of 23.25 and economy of 5.01.”The volume and intensity of the cricket over the winter this year means we need to strike a balance with workloads for players, particularly those that play multiple formats,” New Zealand selector Sam Wells said. “That need for balance also creates opportunities and it’s great to be able to give some players their first call-ups.”Josh is someone who, while still only young, has played over 150 matches for the Stags, developing his skills with bat and ball to become a consistent contributor. Adi and Will are both still fresh to domestic cricket but have been impressive in their early efforts and stepped up well this year in the New Zealand A matches against Australia A.”Both offer valuable skillsets, Adi with impressive control as a young legspinner, and Will with natural bounce and variation as a tall pace bowler.”The squad will assemble on December 14 in Dunedin, the venue for the first ODI against Bangladesh on December 17. The second ODI is in Nelson on December 20 and the third in Napier on December 23.New Zealand squad for Bangladesh ODIsTom Latham (capt), Adi Ashok (games 2 & 3), Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi (game 1), Will Young

A Manchester United regular under Ruben Amorim is unsettled at Old Trafford and is set to be sold by INEOS.

Man Utd regret signing player who could now leave

It looks set to be a busy summer in the transfer window ahead of Amorim’s first full season in charge, with the manager, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co ready to move on 10 Man Utd players this summer.

Talking earlier this month, Ratcliffe didn’t hold back on some signings in the past who the Red Devils are still paying for today.

“If you look at the players we are buying this summer, that we didn’t buy, we’re buying Antony, we’re buying Casemiro, we’re buying Onana, we’re buying Hojlund, we’re buying Sancho. These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out.”

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One of those who Ratcliffe named, goalkeeper Andre Onana, has been heavily linked with an exit in recent weeks. In fact, there have been claims in 2025 that Man Utd regret signing Onana, who is on £120,000 per week, which works out at more than £6m per year.

He has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia with Man Utd set to sell the shot-stopper, and now, another update has emerged on Onana and Amorim’s thoughts on an exit.

Andre Onana unsettled at Man Utd and set to be sold

According to talkSPORT, Onana is ‘unsettled’ at Man Utd and has been for some time. Therefore, he is open to a move away from Old Trafford and the club are willing to let him go.

The report adds that the Man Utd boss ‘is not against selling Onana to bring in his own man between the sticks’ and there is serious interest in the Cameroon international from the Saudi Pro League.

The 28-year-old has been a regular under Amorim, starting every Premier League fixture this season, however, he has come in for criticism in the media for a number of errors he has made.

Former Man Utd forward Louis Saha didn’t hold back earlier this season when talking about Onana, saying: “If you don’t have a confident goalkeeper he has to be challenged. Those performances are unacceptable, it’s not normal!

“There is a need for every player at Manchester United – apart from Bruno Fernandes – to feel threatened with competition. No one has shown that they deserve anything in the next game. The manager can challenge and criticise them because it’s not good enough.

Games

91

Goals conceded

136

Clean sheets

22

“Unless you can guarantee that you’re not going to make mistakes, you should not be considered as a guaranteed starter in any position. None of those players should be guaranteed anything.”

Now, it looks as if his days are numbered in Manchester, and it seems as if all parties involved are happy to part ways.

Rangers icon Ally McCoist has made a manager claim on an attacking boss who he’s heard could move to Ibrox.

Rangers manager rumours

The Gers could be extremely busy off the pitch over the coming months, with the 49ers Enterprises agreeing a deal in principle to take over as owners at Ibrox.

There is also the matter of looking to hire a new full-time manager after parting ways with Philippe Clement. Former captain Barry Ferguson is in interim charge until the end of the campaign and didn’t do his chances of landing the job permanently any harm with an impressive win away to Fenerbahce.

Rangers will now take a 3-1 lead into the Europa League last 16 second leg, and Ferguson’s name has been mentioned as a contender to take over on a full-time basis.

Other potential targets include Derek McInnes of Kilmarnock and former Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner, whereas it has also been claimed that Rangers and the 49ers have made Rafael Benitez the preferred managerial target.

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Ex-Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has also been named in the media about potentially returning to Ibrox before Clement’s sacking, four years on from winning the Scottish Premiership with the club. Now, McCoist has made a new claim on Rangers and Gerrard.

McCoist makes claim on Gerrard returning to Rangers

Talking to Football Insider, McCoist admitted he’s “heard” that Gerrard could be on his way back to Glasgow with Rangers.

“The other one I’ve heard is Steven Gerrard coming back. He’s out of work, but I’m not sure what his current situation is. I think one of the slight problems might be would be him having to stay out of the country for tax reasons.”

Gerrard, who plays an attacking 4-3-3 formation, even shares the same Wasserman agency as Rangers duo John Souttar and Danilo.

Games

192

Wins

124

Draws

41

Losses

27

Players used

65

Average goals scored per game

2.12

Average goals conceded per game

0.72

As well as Gerrard, McCoist named Kevin Muscat as another interesting option. “Another one who interested me was Kevin Muscat, with his team currently trying to get into the Asian Champions League, but they’re struggling a little bit. He’s been very successful, having won a League Cup double in China.”

Since leaving Scotland in November 2021, Gerrard has struggled at both Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq, averaging 1.18 points per game at Villa Park and 1.33 in Saudi Arabia.

He parted ways with Al-Ettifaq at the end of January and is still out of a job, so that could potentially appeal to Rangers, and it could be one to keep an eye on.

The England batter picked up a ball that had stopped in the crease by his feet

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Feb-2024England batter Hamza Shaikh ensured his time at the Under-19 World Cup would not be forgotten when he was given out obstructed the field against Zimbabwe.In the 17th over, Shaikh defended a ball down by his feet and Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Ryan Kamwemba started to come from behind the stumps to collect it. Then, with the ball stationary in the crease, Shaikh bent down to pick it up to pass it back to the fielders, as is often seen from batters.Kamwemba and the bowler, Ryan Simbi, led the appeal and it was sent upstairs by on-field officials Donovan Koch and Masudur Rahman where third umpire Nigel Duguid gave it out.Previously it would have been handled the ball, but that mode of dismissal was combined with obstructed the field in 2017 with MCC saying they were effectively the same thing. The relevant Law, 37.4, reads: “Either batter is out Obstructing the field if, at any time while the ball is in play and, without the consent of a fielder, he/she uses the bat or any part of his/her person to return the ball to any fielder”.Unsurprisingly, there was reaction on social media. “Oh get a grip,” Stuart Broad posted on X. “He’s passing a stationary ball back to the fielder? Doing him a favour! Cant give that out.”Sam Billings retweeted a video of the dismissal, simply adding: “Wow.”Late last year Mushfiqur Rahim was given out obstructed the field in a Test against New Zealand when he punched a delivery away after defending it down into the crease.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are now keen to win the race for an “imperious” defender, who is expected to cost over £25m, but there could be competition for his signature from rival Premier League clubs, according to a report.

Wolves eyeing centre-back signings

Wolves have managed to steer themselves six points clear of the relegation zone due to an uptick in form under Vitor Pereira, putting themselves in a strong position to avoid the drop with 10 games left to play.

However, Pereira will be keen to avoid being in a relegation dogfight again next season, and given that his side have one of the worst defensive records in the league, new defenders are now being eyed ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Old Gold are showing an interest in Everton centre-back Michael Keane, who is set to be available on a free transfer at the end of the season, with the Toffees looking unlikely to renew the Englishman’s contract.

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Keane is proven in the Premier League over a number of years, but there are also indications Wolves may take a gamble on more of an unproven quantity, with a report from GiveMeSport revealing they are keen on winning the race for Genoa’s Koni De Winter.

There is widespread interest in De Winter from the Premier League, with West Ham United, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United also named as potential suitors, although the Red Devils are not expected to make a move.

The Genoa defender is expected to have a price tag of over £25m, having put in some impressive performances in the Serie A this season, and there is also a feeling he could also end up remaining in Italy, with AC Milan recently expressing an interest.

Wolves’ upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Southampton (a)

March 15th

West Ham United (h)

April 1st

Ipswich Town (a)

April 5th

Tottenham Hotspur (h)

April 12th

Manchester United (a)

April 19th

"Imperious" De Winter impressing in Italy

The 22-year-old has put in some top displays in Italy since making the move to Genoa, with journalist Sacha Tavolieri describing him as “imperious”, while also praising the way in which he was able to hold off Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.

Not only is the centre-back solid defensively, but he also poses a real attacking threat, ranking in the 97th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

The Belgian’s aerial ability was also on show when he scored a back-post header in his side’s 2-0 victory against Monza back in January.

As such, it is clear to see why a number of Premier League clubs are queuing up for the Genoa star, and Wolves should continue to monitor his performances between now and the end of the season.

Rangers have been dealt a blow as it has now emerged that a member of Europe’s elite have now made contact to sign a member of Philippe Clement’s squad as they look to bolster their own ranks in the coming months.

Rangers improving too late

Rangers have seen an upturn in form recently, but remain well off the pace in the hunt for the Scottish Premiership title. Though they beat Celtic 3-0 in the last meeting between the two sides, they remain 10 points behind Brendan Rodgers’ side, who also boast a game in hand on their rivals.

Well clear of anyone else and sitting in second place, it is threatening to be another trophyless season for Clement’s side. Meanwhile, a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Europa League has left Rangers’ chances of automatic qualification into the next round of the competition hanging by a thread.

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Instead, they will need to get a result against Belgian side Union Saint Gilloise to ensure that they make it into a qualification spot for the knockout rounds despite having what many would deem a strong campaign in Europe’s secondary competition.

While the breakthrough of Hamza Igamane has been a joy for Rangers fans, it has otherwise been a tricky season to date and there are still reservations over whether Clement is the right man to take them forwards in the long term.

Rangers rocked by Chelsea's Jefte interest

Now, a fresh report has claimed that Chelsea are now plotting a potential summer move to sign exciting fullback Jefte, and have already contacted his representatives over a Stamford Bridge switch.

The Brazilian has been one of the club’s standout performances so far this season, impressing plenty at Ibrox since his arrival from Brazilian side Fluminense in the summer.

Still just 21-years-old, he has caught the attention of clubs around Europe and as per the report, Chelsea “have made initial contact with Jefte’s representatives” as they look to find an understudy for Marc Cucurella in west London.

It is added that there is also “other interest from a handful of clubs on the continent” in what could turn into a scramble for the signature of the Rangers youngster, who is believed to have penned an £8,000 a week deal at Ibrox until 2028.

Clement is understandably a big fan of Jefte, dubbing him “very talented” months after his arrival at Ibrox, but that talent may well see him depart Scotland sooner than most Rangers fans would like.

He is not the only Rangers man in the spotlight either, with teammate Igamane attracting Premier League interest too in the form of Tottenham and Everton. With that in mind, it could prove challenging for Clement and co. to hold onto their star men this summer.

وجه بيب جوارديولا مدرب مانشستر سيتي بعض الرسائل للاعبيه بشأن الموسم الجديد، ويعتقد الإسباني أن فريقه جاهز للمرحلة القادمة بشكل جيد.

ويواجه فريق بيب جوارديولا فريق وولفرهامبتون في اللقاء الافتتاحي في البريميرليج ويسعى مانشستر سيتي لاستعادة لقب الدوري من ليفربول وإنهاء الموسم في صدارة البريميرليج للمرة الخامسة في ستة مواسم.

أقرأ أيضاً.. الركوع مرتين.. قرار مهم من لاعبي الدوري الإنجليزي قبل انطلاق الموسم

وكان مانشستر سيتي قد عزز صفوفه بالتعاقد مع لاعبين مثل تيجاني رايندرز وريان شرقي وريان آيت نوري مما يضيف عمق للفريق.

وسئل بيب جوارديولا عن أفكاره بشأن الموسم الجديد قبل لقاء وولفرهامبتون خلال تدريبات مانشستر سيتي المفتوحة في اكاديمية النادي:” كل موسم هو نفسه ولكن في الوقت نفسه هو مجرد استمرار لما فعلناه على مدار العقد الماضي”.

وأضاف: “بالطبع نريد أن نحاول تقديم أداء أفضل من الموسم الماضي وخاصة التركيز على الاستمرارية ولن نجد أمامنا السجادة الحمراء”.

وواصل: “كما تعلمون، في كل مرة نبدأ فيها الموسم لا نفكر في عدد الإنجازات التي سنحققها، بل نحاول أسبوع بعد أسبوع وشهر بعد شهر أن نكون أفضل ونطور أدائنا الكروي لأن البداية دائماً ما تكون صعبة”.

وتابع: “لكن إذا كنا في نفس الأجواء والروح التي بدأنا في خلقها في أمريكا خلال كأس العالم للأندية نأمل أن يكون جمهورنا فخور بنا”.

وحول غرفة الملابس في مانشستر سيتي أتم بيب تصريحاته: “الإيجابية موجودة، أنا متأكد تماماً من أنها ستكون جيدة لكنها لن تكون موسم سهل بل ستكون هناك دائماً مشاكل، المهم هو كيفية التغلب على هذه المواقف”.

وأكمل: “أود أن أقول إن هذا النادي نضج في آخر 15 أو 20 عاماً وهو الآن في صدارة كل بطولة نشارك فيها، فلنواصل ذلك والموسم القادم يعتمد على كيفية لعبنا وأدائنا”.

وختم: “في النهاية عندما يبذل الناس روح طيبة ويقاتلون ويركضون ويقدمون أفضل ما لديهم وبعد أن يكون الخصوم دائماً مشاركين، في بعض الأحيان يمكنك أن تفعل أفضل ما لديك ويكون الخصوم أفضل،الأمر يعتمد علينا وهذا ما علينا فعله، نتحدى أنفسنا وهذا هو هدفنا لهذا الموسم”.

MatériaMais Notícias

da dobrowin： Ainda que estivessem na lista de 55 nomes pré-convocados para a Copa do Mundo do Qatar pela Seleção Brasileira, o Corinthians não servirá o Brasil neste Mundial. Como já era esperado, o goleiro Cássio e o meia Renato Augusto estão fora dos 26 selecionados. No entanto, o Timão teve três crias na lista definitiva: o goleiro Weverton, o zagueiro Marquinhos e o atacante Gabriel Martinelli.

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da doce：
+Seleção Brasileira convocada! Veja os escolhidos de Tite para a Copa do Mundo

Do trio, apenas Martinelli não se profissionalizou no clube alvinegro, mas passou pela base corintiana entre os 11 e 13 anos. Weverton e Marquinhos deixaram o clube de forma precoce e poderiam ter rendido muitos mais frutos para o time do Parque São Jorge.

WEVERTON

Atualmente defendendo o Palmeiras, arquirrival corintiano, o goleiro se profissionalizou no Corinthians, mas nunca teve chance na equipe principal. Chegou a ser relacionado para alguns jogos, mas não entrou em campo uma vez sequer. No período foi emprestado para Oeste e América de Natal e quando o seu contrato com o Timão terminou, no fim de 2009, ele não foi renovado, com o atleta saindo de graça do clube alvinegro.

De lá para cá, Weverton passou por Botafogo-SP, Portuguesa e Athletico-PR até chegar ao Palmeiras, em 2018. Antes, em 2016, quando ainda defendia o Furacão, foi convocado e titular da Amarelinha para a disputa dos Jogos Olímpicos, no Rio de Janeiro, que terminou com a conquista da medalha de ouro inédita do Brasil no futebol.

MARQUINHOS

Desde a sua formação ele já era tratado como uma jóia no Corinthians, tanto que foi promovido ao time principal logo após ser um dos protagonistas do clube alvinegro na conquista da Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, em 2012. Inclusive, esteve no elenco campeão da Libertadores pelo Timão, no mesmo ano.

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Antes da disputa do do Mundial de Clubes, no fim daquela temporada, o defensor foi negociado com o Roma, da Itália, inicialmente por empréstimo, o que rendeu aos corintianos algo em torno de 1,5 milhão de euros (R$ 3,7 mi, à época). Em caso de venda em definitivo, a equipe da capital italiana teria que pagar ao Corinthians mais 5 milhões de euros (R$ 12,4, à época).

+ Confira a tabela da Copa do Mundo e faça as suas simulações

Marquinhos ficou menos de um ano no Roma, foi comprado e depois negociado com o Paris Saint-Germain, da França, que pagou 35 milhões de euros (aproximadamente R$ 100 milhões, na época). Como o Timão tinha direito a 5% dos direitos do atleta, além dos 3% referentes ao mecanismo de solidariedade, colocou no bolso mais 3 milhões de euros (R$ 8,7 mi, à época) aproximadamente.

No total, o zagueiro que foi convocado para a sua segunda Copa do Mundo representou ao Corinthians, em valores financeiros, algo próximo a R$ 25 milhões.

ÉVERTON RIBEIRO

Hoje meia do Flamengo, o jogador iniciou a carreira no Corinthians como lateral-esquerdo, disputando, inclusive, a Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior de 2007 pelo Timão nesta posição. Foi promovido ao elenco profissional também como lateral, onde fez parte do time rebaixado para a segunda divisão naquele ano.

Éverton atuou com a camisa corintiana também no segundo semestre de 2008, quando foi emprestado ao São Caetano. No Azulão, virou meio-campista. Teve o seu empréstimo renovado com a equipe do ABC no ano seguinte e voltou ao Corinthians somente em 2011, quando foi dispensado pelo técnico Tite, que 11 anos mais tarde o convocou para a Copa do Mundo. Na época, o Coritiba se mostrou interessado em Éverton e pagou ao Timão R$ 1 milhão pelo atleta.

Depois do Coxa, o meia deslanchou. Em 2013 foi para o Cruzeiro, onde foi bicampeão brasileiro, em 2013 e 2014. Posteriormente passou pelos Emirados Árabes, onde defendeu o Alh Ahli por duas temporadas. Retornou ao Brasil em 2017, negociado com o Flamengo. Na equipe rubro-negra até hoje, Ribeiro já foi campeão da Libertadores duas vezes (2019 e 2022), além de ter conquistado três vezes o Carioca (2019, 2020 e 2021), duas vezes o Brasileirão (2019 e 2020), uma vez a Copa do Brasil (2022) e duas vezes a Supercopa do Brasil (2020 e 2021).

GABRIEL MARTINELLI

Ainda que tenha se profissionalizado no Ituano, o jogador passou pela base corintiana entre os 11 e 13 anos de idade. E já naquela época despertava atenção ao seu futuro. Com o manto alvinegro, foram 139 jogos pelas categorias de formação, com 73 gols marcados.

No entanto, a família de Martinelli precisou se mudar para Itu, e essa decisão fez com que o garoto se mudasse de cidade e, consequentemente, de time. Foi no Ituano que Gabriel apareceu para o futebol, em 2018, e no meio do ano seguinte foi negociado com o Arsenal, da Inglaterra, por cerca de R$ 30 milhões. O Timão conseguiu lucrar R$ 150 mil com essa venda, por conta do mecanismo de solidariedade.

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Usman Khawaja’s half-century provided the highlight of a rain-affected second day in the Sheffield Shield clash between Queensland and New South Wales at Cricket Central in Sydney.Test opener Khawaja appeared immune to the form struggles plaguing those vying to partner him at the top for the Border-Gavaskar trophy, helping Queensland make headway in reply to NSW’s 239.Wet weather meant only one delivery was bowled across the final two sessions, with Queensland posting 96 for 2 by the time play was abandoned late on Saturday.Khawaja brought up his second first-class half-century for the summer with the second of his two sixes: a slog over long off from Tanveer Sangha.But his innings was not without controversy. NSW’s Ryan Hadley thought he’d caught Khawaja at fine leg from Sangha’s bowling about an hour into play, only for him to remain at the crease following consultation between the umpires. Khawaja, on 29 at the time, had earlier survived an lbw shout from Josh Hazlewood’s bowling.Hazlewood and Jack Edwards combined for six consecutive maiden overs to start the day before Matt Renshaw finally got Queensland running with a thick edge to the boundary.But out-of-favour Renshaw failed in his bid to reassert his Test credentials, trapped lbw by Sangha on 25 later in the first session.The wet conditions meant only one ball was bowled in a delayed second session but it could hardly have been a more crucial one for NSW.Khawaja edged Edwards to Ollie Davies in the slips as rain continued to fall, with the teams back in the pavilion before another delivery could be bowled.

Both players were carrying injuries that might have ruled them out in normal circumstances

Matt Roller23-Apr-2023Abdul Basith walked to the middle at Bengaluru’s imposing Chinnaswamy Stadium needing to hit 10 runs off his first two balls in IPL cricket to clinch a victory for Rajasthan Royals against Royal Challengers Bangalore.He looked around briefly to scope out his boundary options, then limbered up as Harshal Patel ran in to bowl. He shaped to power him over the leg side, lining up the stands at deep midwicket, but was foxed by Harshal’s slower ball. The ball dribbled away for a single, and the game was RCB’s.Related

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How much impact has the Impact Player rule had on IPL 2023?

Maxwell and du Plessis set RCB up for tight victory

This was a moment that exposed the difference in utility that these two teams had extracted from the Impact Player rule, a rule which has fundamentally altered the nature of selection in T20 cricket. IPL games can – and often do – turn in a single ball; off the penultimate one of the game, RCB’s substitute got the better of Royals’ and clinched the points.Faf du Plessis is having a phenomenal IPL. Nearly halfway through the league stage, he is the Orange Cap holder, has scored five half-centuries in seven innings, and is striking at 165.30. Most top T20 batters are either destructive or dependable; this version of du Plessis falls into a rare category that are both.This stellar run of form has come at 38, an age where most cricketers are long retired and working in coaching or broadcasting. Remarkably, du Plessis has done it despite suffering a grade-one intercostal strain, which would have ruled him out of his team’s last two games in any other franchise league.But the Impact Player rule has enabled him to play despite his injury. Against Punjab Kings on Thursday, he made 84 off 56 as a specialist batter, before he was replaced at the innings break. Back in Bengaluru on Sunday afternoon, he set up a second consecutive win against Royals with 62 off 39 before again being replaced at the interval.Faf du Plessis has been carrying a grade-one intercostal strain•BCCIRCB have twice made late decisions over du Plessis’ participation as a fielder. He may be able to return to his role as captain – and boundary-rider – in their game against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday, but for now he can console himself with the knowledge that he has made major contributions in games he would not otherwise have played.During their win over Kings, du Plessis admitted his inclusion “probably wouldn’t have been possible” but for the Impact rule. “I saw some of the boys were trying to do this new rule now where they bat and they don’t field, so I thought I’d try it out,” he joked to the host broadcaster.The injury has clearly caused him discomfort. Thirteen overs into Sunday’s game, at the second strategic time-out, du Plessis ran straight to the dugout after batting for over an hour in the afternoon sun; two balls later, he was run out, the first time in three IPL seasons he has been dismissed by that method.Harshal, his replacement on Sunday, provided further evidence of RCB maximising the new rule. He suffered an injury while fielding during their victory over Kings; like du Plessis, he might well have missed the game but for the Impact Player rule allowing him to feature in one innings only.He arrived at the Chinnaswamy with the little finger on his left hand heavily strapped, limiting his ability to grip the bat; he later suggested that he hopes it will heal “in a week or two”. As a result, he was used exclusively as a bowler, replacing du Plessis at the innings break and bowling his four overs in the run chase.After a slow start to the IPL, Harshal put in his best performance of the season, taking three vital wickets as Royals fell just short in their run chase: Yashasvi Jaiswal, mistiming a full toss to long-on; Sanju Samson, fencing an effort ball to short third; and R Ashwin, dragging a slower ball to deep midwicket after giving RCB a scare.The injured little finger in Harshal Patel’s left hand would have limited his ability to bat, if he had been required to do so•BCCI”The way we’ve been able to use Faf as a batter and myself as a bowler in this game has been really good for us,” Harshal said. “Both of us are carrying injuries which don’t allow us to execute one of our skills: for him, it’s fielding; for me, it’s batting. The Impact [Player] rule allows us to just go out and take care of our primary skills.”RCB were even able to find another loophole which they happily exploited. When Harshal briefly went off the field at the start of the fourth over, after fielding a ball at deep third, the fact that du Plessis was off the field enabled them to use an overseas player – Finn Allen – as a fielding substitute for two overs, since they otherwise only had three overseas players on the field.But while most teams have used the rule in a similar fashion to one another this season – effectively picking a 12-man team, and replacing a specialist batter with a specialist bowler – Royals have differed, as their captain Samson suggested at the toss. “We’re starting with the same XI [either way],” he said. “We might add, or we might not add.”Royals have generally selected the same balance regardless of whether they have batted or bowled first this year, featuring six batters and five frontline bowlers. They have often delayed a decision on their substitution until midway through the second innings; some calls have worked well – bringing on Adam Zampa at Chepauk, for example – but others have not.Sunday’s game appeared to expose the issues with their method. In limiting themselves to five bowling options, Royals did not have much flexibility with the ball, with no choice but to use Sandeep Sharma at the death despite his off-day. And in the absence of Riyan Parag, who did not travel to Bengaluru, they found themselves bringing in an IPL debutant at No. 8 – leaving Jason Holder unused with the bat for the fourth time in his six appearances this season.Royals’ results this season have been significantly better when batting first (played three, won three) than chasing (playing four, lost three), and perhaps their use of the Impact rule is a reason behind that. As the conclusion to Sunday’s game confirmed, the rule has suited some teams much better than others.