Australian holds UK passport but will be registered as an overseas signing for 2023

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jan-2023Northamptonshire have announced the signing of Western Australia opening batter Sam Whiteman on an a season-long deal for the 2023 summer.Whiteman, who was player of the final in WA’s 16th Sheffield Shield title in the 2021-22 season and is their current acting captain, will be available for the County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup. Though he possesses a UK passport having been born in Doncaster, Yorkshire, he will be registered as an overseas signing.The 30-year-old has 4,652 first-class runs at an average of 37.90, with 10 centuries. He is currently Western Australia’s second top scorer in the ongoing campaign, which they lead, with 390 at 43.33, and scored a career-best 193 against South Australia in November.As a white-ball cricketer, Whiteman’s returns are comparatively weak – averages of 23.51 and 17.55 in List A and T20, respectively – though he was part of a successful Perth Scorchers outfit in the Big Bash League, and is now representing Sydney Thunder in the ongoing season. He has not yet been capped by Australia, having represented the country at “A” team and Under-19 level. This will be the left-hander’s first taste of professional cricket in the English system.Speaking on his deal with the Division One county, Whiteman said: “I’m really excited to have signed with Northamptonshire for the 2023 season. It’s always been an ambition of mine to play first-class cricket in the UK so to get that opportunity for a large chunk of the campaign is really pleasing. I’m looking forward to joining up with my new teammates in April.”Head coach John Sadler was delighted with Whiteman’s signing, as Northants look to build on their sixth-place in the County Championship and second-from-bottom finish in Group B of the Royal London Cup last year.”Sam comes very highly recommended and is someone we’ve watched closely in recent times.” Sadler said speaking to the club website. “I’m very confident that not only will he score plenty of runs, he’ll add value to us as a group in many ways both on and off the field.”Northamptonshire’s new Championship captain Luke Procter was also excited for what Whiteman could bring: “I’m really looking forward to having Sam with us this season.”He’s a quality bat but he’s also got that leadership experience with WA, they’re flying in the Shield so far so I’m sure he’ll bring a lot value on and off the field too.”

Faf du Plessis, Trent Boult and James Vince are among those leaving for other leagues

Tristan Lavalette07-Jan-2023As a rejuvenated BBL heads towards the pointy end of the season, teams will look markedly different with a number of high-profile players heading to new cashed-up leagues in the UAE and South Africa. But several Australia Test stars will return before heading to India to whip up plenty of interest ahead of the finals.Adelaide StrikersDeparting Chris Lynn, Rashid Khan
Returning Alex Carey, Travis HeadIt’s mixed news for Adelaide Strikers. They lose Chris Lynn, who recently wound back the clock with his big-hitting exploits after a slow start with his new team. Lynn’s last game will be his second against former side Brisbane Heat on January 14 before his contentious move to the ILT20 in the UAE.His exit is softened by the returns of Test players Travis Head and Alex Carey. Head will assume the captaincy and has been in belligerent form as a No. 6 for Australia while wicketkeeper-batter Carey notched his first Test century during the Boxing Day Test.Strikers’ big loss is star spinner Rashid Khan, who played his last game of the season on January 5 against Hobart Hurricanes before heading to South Africa’s T20 league. Strikers’ talisman took six wickets in seven innings at an economy of 6.43 and his match-winning skill along with his passion – which manifested during several feisty confrontations with batters – will be sorely missed.Related

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Brisbane HeatDeparting Sam Billings, Colin Munro
Returning Usman Khawaja, Marnus LabuschagneIt is almost a straight swap for struggling Heat, who need a strong backend to reach the finals. Star overseas signings Sam Billings and Colin Munro have been hot and cold but shown occasional brilliance with the bat.They head to the UAE, where Munro will captain Desert Vipers, but are effectively replaced by Test stars Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne. After being a foundation player with Sydney Thunder, where he scored 1818 runs in 59 innings, Queensland captain Khawaja will take the reins as skipper and set to replace Munro at the top of the order alongside explosive Josh Brown.Labuschagne, who only played one BBL game last season, could slot in at No.4 in place of Billings.Hobart HurricanesDeparting Shadab Khan
Allrounder Shadab Khan has returned to international duties with Pakistan although a broken finger saw him miss several games before he left. Shadab took seven wickets in five games at an economy of 7.58, but he was unsuccessfully used at No. 4 before moving down the order.Allrounder Jimmy Neesham left last month and will head to South Africa after an underwhelming stint. He batted mostly at No. 6 or No. 7 but his best effort came with a 19-ball 28 in Hurricanes’ tense win over Renegades. He was also expensive with the ball and claimed just one wicket.They don’t have any incumbent Test players although batter Zak Crawley and allrounder Faheem Ashraf have both recently joined Hurricanes after playing in the England-Pakistan Test series.Trent Boult is one of big-name overseas players leaving•Getty ImagesMelbourne RenegadesDeparting Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Akeal Hosein
Returning Marcus HarrisRenegades have lost spin duo Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Akeal Hosein, who both headed to the ILT20 in the UAE. They formed an effective spin duo with 20 wickets between them.Left-armer Hosein was eye-catching in his first BBL season and proved particularly menacing on the slower surface in Geelong. He also unleashed his big-hitting capabilities in the death overs on several occasions.With skipper Nic Maddinson ruled out for the remainder of the season with a long-term knee injury, the return of Marcus Harris from Australia’s Test squad is welcome.Melbourne StarsDeparting Trent BoultWhile his compatriots have been toiling in Pakistan, long-time New Zealand spearhead Trent Boult has had a taste of the BBL. In his first season, it’s been tough going for Boult who had mixed success with the ball for struggling Stars. Although he provided unexpected entertainment with the bat marked by a T20 career best of 23 not out against Scorchers at Optus Stadium.Perth ScorchersDeparting Faf du Plessis, Adam Lyth
Returning Lance Morris, Ashton AgarScorchers have had to remake their top order after the departures of opening pair Faf du Plessis and Adam Lyth.Former Test captain du Plessis returned home to be part of South Africa’s inaugural T20 league. There was much excitement in the west over the late signing of du Plessis, who was embraced by locals after being an antagonist for Australian fans over the years.He smashed a rapid half-century in Perth Scorchers’ record 7 for 229 against Stars but made single digits in three of his last four games. Lyth had a BBL to forget but will hope for better success in UAE with Desert Vipers, where he is set to open alongside compatriot Alex Hales.Scorchers have regained tearaway Lance Morris in a timely addition after Jhye Richardson’s recent hamstring injury. Having moved up the pecking order in Australia’s crowded Test pace stocks, Morris is hoping for a breakout BBL season after modest success previously.Spinning allrounder Ashton Agar returns after playing in the third Test at the SCG but Cameron Green has been ruled out of his stint with a broken finger. They also have Middlesex’s Stephen Eskinazi on their booksSydney SixersDeparted Chris Jordan, James Vince, Naveen-ul-Haq
Returning Steven Smith, Nathan LyonSixers lose veterans Chris Jordan and James Vince, who both head to the UAE. T20 World Cup winner Jordan arrived late to the BBL and only had limited availability although his athletic fielding was a standout.Vince, a star for Sixers over the years, frustratingly couldn’t kick on from several solid platforms until a devastating 91 not out in a successful chase against Stars. He will captain Gulf Giants in the ILT20. Afghanistan quick Naveen-ul-Haq is also UAE bound.But they will be boosted by the inclusion of stars Steven Smith and Nathan Lyon. There will be much anticipation for the return of Smith, who farcically missed last season’s finals series despite being available.Smith famously captained Sixers to the title in the first edition of the BBL in 2012 but his four games in BBL09 were his only appearances in the competition since 2013-14. Smith might replace Vince at No. 3, while Lyon will provide much needed experience for Sixers who have been reliant on young spinners Izharulhaq Naveed and Todd Murphy.Sydney ThunderDeparting Alex Hales, Rilee Rossouw
Returning David WarnerAfter their embarrassing capitulation for 15 against Strikers, Alex Hales helped revive Thunder with three half-centuries in four games before departing to the UAE.They lose more batting firepower with Rilee Rossouw heading home to play in South Africa’s T20 league although he generally struggled to get going.But Warner is set to soften the blow and his return to the BBL is set to be one of the most anticipated moments in the competition’s history. He has only played three BBL matches previously with the last being in December 2013.

Glasgow Rangers enjoyed a great night at Ibrox on Thursday by holding Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to a draw in the Europa League.

It was Ange Postecoglou’s first return to Glasgow since moving on from Celtic, who he won two Scottish Premiership titles with, in the summer of 2023.

Rangers ended the match with more shots, more ‘big chances’ created, and more xG but failed to come away with all three points, despite an impressive performance.

The Light Blues are now nine matches unbeaten in all competitions and have hit form at a good time, ahead of the League Cup final clash with Celtic on Sunday at Hampden Park.

However, a poor opening few months of the season has left the Scottish giants 11 points adrift of their Glasgow rivals in the race to win the title, with three losses in the division so far.

Celtic have won 14 of their 15 Premiership matches after they were able to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window, having banked a hefty amount of cash through the sale of Matt O’Riley.

How much Celtic sold Matt O'Riley for

Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion swooped in to sign the Denmark international for a reported Scottish record transfer fee of more than £25m, breaking the record set by Jota’s £25m switch to Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023.

This means that Celtic had huge sales in back-to-back summer windows to fund their own incoming business to make their squad stronger across the board, despite losing a couple of key performers.

O’Riley attracted significant interest in his services because of his sensational form in the Premiership for the Hoops during the 2023/24 campaign, with his ability as a scorer and a creator of goals helping him to standout in the division.

As you can see in the table above, the English-born magician had an impressive, but not unbelievable, first full season at Parkhead before emerging as their star man last season.

He dominated games and was a match-winner for Celtic on a regular basis, because of his ability to score and create goals, and that helped them to earn more than £25m from his sale.

That allowed the Hoops to sign Auston Trusty for £6m, Adam Idah for £9.5m, and Arne Engels for a club-record £11m, among several other deals.

Meanwhile, per Transfermarkt, Rangers did not sign a player for more than €5m (£4.1m) after their biggest summer sale was Sam Lammers’ £4m move to FC Twente.

Their lack of big money sales meant that they could not spend the kind of money that Celtic were able to, as Nils Koppen had to invest in younger, cheaper, talent, with the hope that they will develop into high-value assets – like O’Riley.

Rangers' promising summer signings

The Belgian recruitment chief, who is now the club’s technical director, brought in eight players to Ibrox on permanent deals, along with three loans, and five of those eight arrivals are aged 22 or under.

Connor Barron was snapped up from Aberdeen after his contract with the Scottish side expired at the end of last season and the 21-year-old ace has enjoyed a strong start to life in Glasgow.

He has made 26 appearances in all competitions and has started 13 of the club’s 15 matches in the Premiership, which shows that Philippe Clement already trusts the Scotland U21 international.

Another impressive young recruit from Koppen’s work in the summer is Brazilian left-back Jefte, who has emerged as a first-choice option for Rangers at the age of 20.

The promising full-back, who turns 21 later this month, has started 17 matches across the Premiership and the Europa League, and caught the eye with his solid form.

As you can see in the table above, Jefte has offered a strong defensive presence at the back, with 3.7 tackles and interceptions per game without being dribbled past regularly.

However, summer recruit Hamza Igamane is the player who Clement could hit the jackpot with as his answer to Matt O’Riley, given his impressive form of late.

Why Hamza Igamane could be Clement's Matt O'Riley

The Scottish giants swooped to sign the versatile forward from Moroccan side FAR Rabat in the summer and his market valuation on Transfermarkt at the time of his move was just €1m (£829k).

After around five months at Ibrox, that valuation has already shot up to €2.5m (£2m) to reflect his superb form in recent weeks for Clement’s side.

The 22-year-old star, who scored against Spurs on Thursday night, has produced six goals and one assist in 16 appearances in all competitions for Rangers so far this season.

Five of those goals and his one assist came in his last five appearances for the club, as he struggled in his first 11 matches because the youngster needed time to adapt after leaving Morocco for the first time in his career.

As you can see in the table above, Igamane has been particularly impressive in the Europa League for Rangers with a return of five goal contributions in two starts in the competition.

He has proven himself on the European stage and his form of late suggests that the forward, who can play on the left or through the middle, is starting to thrive domestically as well.

Igamane, who was dubbed an “exciting young talent” by Koppen, is a dynamic attacker who can hold off defenders, dribble past opponets, create chances, and score goals, as illustrated by his form in the Europa League, and his market value is soaring as a result of his performances.

Diomande 2.0: Rangers chasing £2.5m signing who'd thrive with Igamane

Rangers are reportedly interested in signing the exciting playmaker in January.

By
Dan Emery

Dec 11, 2024

If the 22-year-old whiz can continue to shine and develop with more experience under his belt then he could emerge as a high-value asset for Rangers who they later sell on for big money to fund their own summer spending spree, akin to the one Celtic had after selling O’Riley.

With the focus on India’s team combinations, Sanjay Manjrekar mulls the balance of the side’s lower order and the resources in their seam-bowling attack

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Nov-2015India will be mulling the ideal combination for the first Test against South Africa in Mohali starting on Thursday. In case they stick to a five-bowler strategy, the role of India’s lower order with the bat assumes even greater importance. The make-up of the attack itself will also be crucial, especially with Virat Kohli having shown a preference for bowlers with extra pace in his stint as captain so far. Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar reflects on those aspects ahead of the series opener.Turners could give India batting depth
Lower-order depth has been an issue for India but Sanjay Manjrekar feels that turning tracks could help solve that problem to an extent for the side in this series. With Wriddhiman Saha coming in at No. 6, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin and Amit Mishra could slot into No. 7, 8 and 9 – lending some depth to the batting while fitting in with India’s five-bowler plan.2:20

Tracks could help balance India’s batting order

Time to utilise resources available
Seam-bowling has been a chronic problem for India, particularly with respect to consistency, and Manjrekar feels the time has come for the team management to take more responsibility in utilizing the resources that are available to the side.3:18

Manjrekar: Ishant at the peak of his career

MatériaMais Notícias

da realbet： Enquanto a torcida se prepara para a final da Copa Sul-Americana, o Sócio-Torcedor do São Paulo ‘queimou a largada’ e disponibilizou rapidamente no fim da tarde de sexta-feira (30/9) prêmios exclusivos de campeão da competição continental aos integrantes do programa.

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da betcris：
+ Torcida do São Paulo invade Córdoba para final da Copa Sul-Americana

O erro foi descoberto por são-paulinos e divulgado através das redes sociais.

Nas opções disponibilizadas, constavam como prêmio aos sócios-torcedores opções como wallpaper e pôster do time campeão da Sul-Americana neste ano.

Pela prévia ‘vazada’ no site, sócios-torcedores que possuem dez pontos poderiam fazer o download dos brindes disponibilizados.

O jogo, claro, acontece somente às 17h (de Brasília), contra o Independiente del Valle, do Equador, em Córdoba (Argentina).

O São Paulo e os responsáveis pelo programa retiraram a falha do ar minutos após o assunto ganhar as redes tricolores.

> Confira classificação, jogos e simule resultados do Brasileirão-22
> Confira todos os jogos da Copa Sul-Americana-22
> Conheça o novo aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

استطاع الأوروجواني داروين نوينز، إحراز الهدف الثاني لصالح ليفربول أمام نظيره بريستون، في المباراة التي تجمعهما اليوم، الأحد.

ويواجه الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، نظيره بريستون، عصر اليوم، الأحد، في مباراة ودية ضمن تحضيرات الريدز للموسم الجديد 2025/2026.

وشهد اللقاء الوقوف دقيقة حداد من كل المتواجدين بالملعب على روح ديوجو جوتا، الذي فارق الحياة بسبب حادث سير، بأحد شوارع إسبانيا رفقة شقيقه.

وسجل نونيز، الهدف الثاني لليفربول في مرمى بريستون بالدقيقة 54 من المباراة، كما تمكن برادلي، الظهير الأيمن للريدز من إحراز الهدف الأول في الدقيقة 33.

ويرتدي محمد صلاح، جناح ليفربول وقائد منتخب مصر، شارة قيادة الفريق خلال مباراة اليوم أمام بريستون بعدما تواجد أساسيًا في اللقاء. هدف نونيز في مباراة ليفربول وبريستون اليوم

A set plan to tackle the spinners with sweeps and reverse sweeps in addition to overlooking the “smoke” around his batting form allowed Jason Roy to make 132 off 124 balls in a series-winning effort in the second ODI against Bangladesh.Roy’s ton was big enough to end the hosts’ proud home record of seven unbeaten ODI series wins in seven years. Bangladesh were bundled out for 194 in pursuit of 327, and it was Roy’s innings that mainly put them out of the contest.Roy got four boundaries with reverse hits off the left-arm spinners, apart from playing the conventional sweep to milk the slow bowlers.”It was a plan [to sweep and reverse sweep] with the amount of turn,” Roy said. “To go over point was the safest option for me. I tried to go over cover a couple of times, it was just too slow and too much spin. I tried to put that to bed quickly. Once Shakib [Al Hasan] gets that undercutter, I should have hit it to the sightscreen, but I tried to sweep him [and got out]. It was a slightly poor decision but apart from that, I think you had to keep your boundary options very simple. You can hit it wherever you want when you get a lot of runs. Out there, [hitting the sweeps and reverse sweeps] was one of the only boundary options for me today.”Roy said that the Dhaka pitch played to the batters’ advantage. It was slow, but the spin was to a consistent degree, which allowed for easier strokeplay compared to the first ODI where the pitch offered uneven bounce.”I only faced four balls the other day, it was clearly a lot easier today,” he said. “But there was a bit more spin, but it was consistent. The other day it was slightly inconsistent bounce as well as turn. It was far lower scoring whereas today there was slow bounce. I think the boys showed a high amount of skill to give us that total.”Roy spoke about the relief of getting runs on this Bangladesh tour, particularly after getting out early in the first game.”Every single time [scoring a hundred] means the world. I worked hard to right my wrongs from the first match. I made a silly mistake then, and I was hungry to make some runs. There are some hundreds in the past when you get to 40, and you feel really free-flowing when you get to the hundred. Every boundary was a scrap. I built a great partnership with Jos [Buttler]. We ticked over nicely.”Every place poses completely different skillsets. None more so somewhere like here. I have scored runs in India. As far as skillset for batsmen, to score runs in these sort of conditions is as rewarding as it can get. I am very happy to score. The amount we scored today on that wicket in a series-defining match was awesome.”Roy said that he took a leaf out of Dawid Malan’s book from the first ODI when the left-hander struck his fourth ODI hundred. It saved England from defeat essentially, as Malan mastered the conditions to take the visitors home.”I have realised that very quickly once I stuck that one up in the air in the first game,” Roy said. “The way Malan went about his innings, I quickly realised to switch on, put my head in and bat some time.”It was just time at the crease. I can score a lot of runs if I batted that amount of time. As simple as that. I reduced the risk in boundary options. The one I got out to, was the highest risk for a boundary option I took. I got out stupidly.”

When Jonathan Trott walked off the field in Barbados, both he and the crowd knew it would be for the final time

Jonathan Trott26-Sep-2016I hardly saw the ball that dismissed me in the first innings. I had walked down the pitch to a short delivery and, instinctively I suppose, raised my gloves to protect my face. The ball lobbed off my hand to the fielder at square leg. Another duck. And another dismissal to a short ball.The second innings wasn’t much longer. I got off the mark – and off a pair – with a nice clip through the leg side off Taylor and actually felt pretty good. My mind was made up; there was a freedom in my play.But it wasn’t to last. Taylor got one to nip back at me, I played across it and they went up for leg before. I knew it was out. Cooky briefly suggested I think about a review, but there was no point wasting it on me at that stage. “Nah, I’m out of here,” I said.As I walked off, a group of Barmy Army supporters at the same end as the dressing rooms stood and gave me a warm ovation that was as appreciated as it was surprising for a man walking off having played his last innings of an unsuccessful tour. But they knew it was over and they were, I reasoned, taking the opportunity to say goodbye and thanks. I couldn’t raise my bat – I had only scored 9, after all, and England were in a hole – but I gave them a little wave.I’ll forever be grateful for their gesture. They proved, in that moment, that they were true supporters; not fairweather types who were only there for the good times.They also proved they had a memory. They remembered the times before I became a stuttering wreck; the times before I wandered towards mid-off before each ball was delivered; the times the only thing people could find to complain about was the manner in which I marked my guard and the time it took us to win Tests.The good old days.I didn’t want to be remembered like this and I was fearful that in my last four or five Tests I had diluted any reputation I had earned. At a time when things seemed pretty hopeless, I really appreciated that they were understanding and compassionate enough to show they weren’t judging me on this version of myself.Some in the media might not appreciate the Barmy Army but you’ll never hear a bad word about them in the dressing room.

“I’d have loved to score a century and win the game but I’d been around for long enough to know that cricket rarely works like that”

As I got into the dressing room, I remember thinking, “Thank God that’s over.” It’s a feeling that has never completely gone away. I have no regrets about making the decision to retire.But I don’t regret playing, either. Very few players have the opportunity to say goodbye and those last days within the England set-up gave me closure both on my international career and on a traumatic episode in my life.An hour or two after the game, with the presentations and formalities taken care of, Peter Moores told the team that I had something I’d like to say.The room fell silent and I could feel apprehension in the air as I stood up. I wasn’t completely sure what I was going to say, but it felt important to mark the occasion. I stood in front of the team, with my cap in my hand, and I started to talk.I told them I had come to a decision about my future. I told them it had become clear I wasn’t able to play at the level I once could and that my time was up. I told them I had been impressed by the talent and spirit I had seen within the squad and that they didn’t need me holding up their progress. I told them I believed in them and that I would be supporting them from afar for the rest of their careers. I told them it was their turn now to build a successful England team.I told them that their England cap was the best thing they would ever wear. I told them how my cap had been soaked in champagne and sweat and tears along the way and that every experience, be it good or bad, had made me appreciate it more.I wanted them to know how much it had meant to me. How much they had meant to me. And I wanted them to know, however hard they might find it in the future, there were people who they could confide in and people who would understand.And I wanted to say goodbye and thank you.We sat together for a few hours that night. It was emotional, but I knew it was right and I knew I was fortunate to leave in that way. Sure, I’d have loved to score that century and I’d have loved to win the game. But I’d been around for long enough by then to know that cricket rarely works like that. My Test career had started with a fairytale; it wouldn’t have been fair if it ended in one, too. It almost always has to end badly or it wouldn’t end.Jonathan Trott’s autobiography, , is available to buy now

Manchester United have now been offered the chance to sign an “absolute monster” in a swap deal, with the player believed to be keen on the move, according to a report.

Man Utd pursuing a striker

Man United are now pushing to bring in a new striker this month, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen now on their list of targets, and there has recently been a positive update on their pursuit of the Nigerian, as he is said to be determined to move to Old Trafford.

FC Porto’s Samu Omorodion is also under consideration, having sent scouts to watch the striker in action against Boavista, and he is likely to have caught the eye, netting twice in a 4-0 victory to help continue his side’s title charge.

Just a few days ago, it emerged that United could look to make a move for Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic this month, with journalist Enrico Camelio explaining that a deal could be possible, should Joshua Zirkzee be sent in the opposite direction.

INEOS working on transfer for £75m star who wants Man Utd move this month

It would be some coup…

ByBarney Lane Jan 6, 2025

Now, the Red Devils have been handed the opportunity to make that deal a reality, with TEAMtalk reporting that Juventus have now made an official cash-plus-player offer.

There are signs that a deal could have a good chance of coming to fruition, too, as both players have given the green light to moving, with Zirkzee struggling to adapt to life in the Premier League since arriving from Bologna in the summer.

TEAMtalk relay a previous valuation of the Juventus striker from CaughtOffside, which suggests he could be worth €65m (£54m), with United required to pay a fee to bring the combined value of their player and the money to a suitable amount.

Vlahovic is an upgrade on Zirkzee

Members of the Italian media have lauded the Serbian as an “absolute monster”, and for good reason, given that his record in front of goal in the Serie A is very impressive, with his most prolific season coming in 2020-21 for Fiorentina, netting 21 times.

Statistic (per 90)

Joshua Zirkzee

Dusan Vlahovic

Non-penalty goals

0.26

0.61

Assists

0.17

0.12

Shot-creating actions

3.26

2.27

Successful take-ons

1.55

0.44

As shown, the Juventus star has a better eye for goal than the Dutchman, scoring more than double the number of non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, but his all-round game isn’t as strong.

As such, if Ruben Amorim wants a proven goalscorer, who does not offer much else to the team, it is worth considering Juventus’ proposal of a swap deal, but Zirkzee is likely to help the team in different ways. Osimhen should be United’s priority target, given that his all-round game is a lot better than Vlahovic’s, while also averaging more non-penalty goals over the past year.

Although Zirkzee has failed to deliver so far, it seems a little premature to let him leave this winter, especially considering Vlahovic is not the best striker United are currently linked with, meaning there is no pressing need to accept a swap deal.

He is contracted to the Royals in the SA20 and CPL, but he will be up against them in the IPL on Friday

Matt Roller04-May-20239:30

Are IPL team owners going to take over world cricket?

Royal Multisport Private Limited – Rajasthan Royals’ parent company – have been David Miller’s employers for around one-third of the last seven months but on Friday night, he will find himself walking out to bat them.Miller represented Barbados in the Caribbean Premier League last September, and captained Paarl in the SA20 in January, but for the months of April and May, he is playing for the team that beat Rajasthan in last season’s IPL final. It is a right Royal tangle, and one that highlights the oddity of players representing different IPL-owned franchises in different leagues.”I’ve got some understanding of what they are all about,” Miller said before training in Jaipur on Thursday evening. “I’m looking forward to it. I know a lot of the guys, and this is the joy about franchise cricket around the world: you get to build relationships with players and management along the way, and build some really good friendships.”Similar situations have arisen throughout this IPL season. Two weeks ago, at the Wankhede Stadium, Sam Curran won the Player of the Match award for captaining Punjab Kings to victory over Mumbai Indians – the franchise who recruited him for their SA20 team, MI Cape Town, and bid aggressively for him in December’s mini auction.Related

• IPL teams and international stars in informal contract discussions

• Royals vs Titans brings together IPL 2023's best in class

• 'I feel extremely backed' – Miller on his success at GT

Perhaps, in that context, it is no wonder that franchises are looking to tie players to year-round contracts. There are clear challenges as to how to fit them into the draft and auction systems around the world that are designed to ensure a level of competitive balance, but the oddities thrown up by the status quo suggest change is likely.In a parallel universe, Miller might well have found himself walking out in Royals’ pink kit tomorrow rather than Gujarat Titans’ dark blue. He spent two IPL seasons with them in 2020 and 2021 and if his record for them was anything like what it has been since he joined Titans, he would surely have been retained ahead of the 2022 mega-auction.But Miller struggled for opportunities with Royals, batting only nine times for them in two years, averaging 20.66 and striking at 109.73. “It has been quite frustrating, not really being able to play over the past couple of years,” he told this website ahead of IPL 2022.It has been a bumpy ride for Miller in the IPL. From 2013-2015, he was one of the league’s best middle-order batters, consistently scoring 350-plus runs a season for Kings XI Punjab. But after a lean 2016 season – in which his top score in 13 innings was 31 – he found himself struggling for consistent opportunities, first with Kings XI and then Royals.David Miller had captained Paarl Royals in the inaugural SA20 earlier this year•SA20

“I wouldn’t say professional sport is easy,” Miller said. “It can be very challenging and tough at times, especially in a tournament like this where there’s so many overseas [players] in one squad and if you don’t really do well in one season, you’re kind of just forgotten about.”Outside of the IPL, I’ve done really well internationally, domestically – it’s just the IPL, where that one bad season that I had… I kind of just got written off. I knew what I was capable of. It was just a matter of getting a really good run and opportunity, so I trained really hard and tried to become a better player.”At Titans, Miller has played every single game that he has been available for, missing only the 2023 season opener when he was on international duty. “I was really chuffed that last season went the way it did,” Miller said, “and I had the opportunity to play throughout the whole season.”And his record has been phenomenal. He is Titans’ third-highest run-scorer across both seasons, averaging 60.09 with a strike rate of 144.00, and has been at the crease in nine of their twelve successful run chases.Key to that has been a marked improvement against spin. From 2016-21, Miller scored at just under a run a ball (98.68) against spin in the IPL, and averaged 22.60 against it; since joining Titans, his strike rate against spin has shot up to 145.32. With only three dismissals to spinners in his last 24 IPL games, he has a remarkable average of 98.33 against spin.The secret? “Just the mindset,” Miller explained. “I’ve never really felt that I’ve been poor against spin, but it’s definitely an area that I’ve needed to work on and as the years have gone on I’ve definitely focused a lot more on it. The biggest thing for me is just the mindset rather than technical faults and stuff like that… [but] I’m probably looking to play more on the back foot than [the] front foot.”It’s [been about] finding a way of getting off strike and accessing different areas. Playing spin… I’m feeling a lot better, and not feeling that they can bog me down. I’ve got my boundary options, I’ve got my one [single] options and then it’s just about going out there and trusting that preparation that you’ve had with the mindset.”If he can extend that success against R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal on Friday night, Miller will leave Royals wondering what might have been.