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Ben Stokes has emerged as an injury doubt for the opening match of the World Cup between England and New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Stokes, the Player of the Match in the 2019 final between the same teams, came out of ODI retirement in August despite a long-standing knee injury and is not expected to bowl a ball at the World Cup, having made himself available only as a specialist batter.But he did not feature in England’s warm-up game against Bangladesh in Guwahati on Monday due to a left hip complaint. Ahead of their final training session before Thursday’s curtain-raiser against New Zealand, England’s captain Jos Buttler said that they would not “take big risks” with players’ fitness early in the tournament.”He’s got a slight niggle with his hip,” Buttler said when asked about Stokes’ non-involvement against Bangladesh. “But fingers crossed that it’ll be good news for us. We’ll see. He’s working hard with the physios, and we’ll know more when the guys arrive for training today.Related

• Buttler dismisses 'defending champions' tag: 'It's irrelevant to me'

• England and New Zealand meet again, Super Over(s) from 2019 on many minds

• What happens when you put 10 World Cup captains in one room?

• Defending champs England seek WC encore despite ageing stars

• Topley looks to make up for lost time after warm-ups

“We’ll make the right call. If he’s not fit to play, he’s not fit to play. If he is, we can make that decision. It’s not the time to take big risks on someone at the start of the tournament. Nearer the end, maybe you do take more of a risk with people’s injuries, but it’s going to be a long tournament.”Stokes scored 182 against New Zealand at The Oval in mid-September in just his third innings on his return to ODI cricket. He was rested for the final game of that series at Lord’s, and was not due to play in either of England’s warm-up games in Guwahati; the first, against India, was washed out after they had named a 13-man side at the toss.England were due to select their playing XI for the opening match after training at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday night. “We’ll see how the guys pull up here at training today – and post-training – and then we can make our decisions,” Buttler said.But Stokes was a peripheral figure, wandering around the outfield while his team-mates kicked a football around. He trained in the gym, but did not bat in the nets during England’s session under floodlights.If Stokes is not deemed fit enough to feature on Thursday, he is likely to be replaced at No. 4 by Harry Brook, who batted in that position in the warm-up against Bangladesh, and is the designated spare batter in England’s squad. Brook has only played six ODIs – and has scored just 123 runs – but England are confident he can convert his Test and T20 success into the 50-over format.”We all know what a fantastic player he is,” Buttler said of Brook. “He’s at the start of an international career that’s been outstanding in T20 cricket and the Test format. He’s not played loads of ODI cricket, but it’s a format that should suit him perfectly.”It’ll allow him to bat for a long time and make big runs, and that’s something he enjoys doing. He’s got all the shots, and we know from Test cricket that he can play big innings. It’s a format that should suit him really well.”

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Em partida válida pela segunda rodada do Campeonato Paulista Feminino, o Corinthians goleou a Portuguesa por 6 a 0, na Fazendinha.Bianca Gomes, Andressa, Grazi, Miriã, Gabi Moraes eJheniffer marcaram os gols corintianos.

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+ GALERIA – Confira o balanço da janela de transferências do Corinthians

As Brabas faturaram o caneco do Paulistão nas últimas três edições da competição.

Com o resultado, o Timão chega aos mesmos seis pontos de Palmeiras e Santos, mas fica na liderança pela maior saldo de gols. A Lusa segue com um ponto, na sétima colocação.

O próximo desafio da equipe treinada por Arthur Elias é no domingo (21), às 11h, contra a Real Brasília, pelo jogo de volta das quartas de final do Brasileirão Feminino. O clube alvinegro venceu a primeira partida, nono estádio Mané Garrincha, por 2 a 0.

+ TABELA – Veja datas e simule o mata-mata da Copa do Brasil

O JOGO

De olho na decisão contra o Real Brasília, o técnico Arthur Souza escalou uma equipe mista:Tainá, Mariza, Diany, Andressa e Yasmim; Grazi, Lia Salazar e Juliete; Bianca Gomes, Miriã e Mylena iniciaram a partida.

Logo aos 15 minutos do primeiro tempo,Bianca subiu mais que a defesa da Lusa e abriu o placar. A equipe da casa seguiu pressionando as visitantes, que pouco produziram no primeiro tempo.

Após o intervalo, o Timão conseguiu impor seu jogo e iniciou a goleada. Aos cinco minutos do segundo tempo, Andressa aproveitou cobrança de escanteio, e de cabeça, ampliou. Oito minutos depois, após diversas tentativas, Grazi chutou de fora da área e fez o terceiro das mandantes.

Aos 15 minutos,Miriã recebeu passe de Bianca na direita, avançou e bateu rasteiro, aumentando a vantagem. Ainda sobrou tempo para a estreante, Gabi Moraes, e a atacanteJheniffer, sacramentarem a goleada na Fazendinha.

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Liverpool are struggling to agree a fee with Bournemouth for the signing of full-back Milos Kerkez, per a new report.

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Reds want Bournemouth starYet to agree a fee with Andoni Iraola's sideLeft-back valued at £45 million ($61m)Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per i News, Liverpool have been locked in talks with the Cherries over a deal to sign Kerkez but have yet to agree a fee for the left-back. The 21-year-old is valued at £45 million ($61m) and the Cherries are refusing to budge on that valuation. Liverpool have been working on a deal to sign the star since January but there remain a number of obstacles to overcome, per the report.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Those close to Kerkez are said to believe that he will eventually move to Anfield but the deal is now dragging on. Kerkez's valuation, and Bournemouth's insistence on sticking to it, is partly driven by the fact that they have sold Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, receiving a fee of £50m ($66m) in the process.

DID YOU KNOW?

Kerkez moved to Bournemouth for an undisclosed fee in July of 2023 from AZ Alkmaar, but reports suggest he cost around £18m ($24m), so Bournemouth are poised to make a profit on the Hungary international.

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Liverpool will hope to conclude a deal for Kerkez swiftly, but they will have to meet Bournemouth's demands to do so.

Everton are believed to have made a final decision regarding the future of a “phenomenal” player in the summer transfer window, according to a new update.

Everton players who could leave this summer

While Blues supporters will want to see shiny new signings arrive at the club this summer, it is also important that they retain the services of their most important players. Abdoulaye Doucoure arguably falls into that bracket and David Moyes reportedly wants to make sure he signs a new deal.

One individual who could be on the move once the current campaign reaches its conclusion is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has struggled to impress since Moyes replaced Sean Dyche. He hasn’t started a game since the 3-2 win at home to Tottenham over a month ago.

When it comes to recent transfer rumours regarding Everton, Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn has been linked with a move in the summer window. The 25-year-old has shone for the Hoops this season, scoring 10 goals and bagging six assists in the Scottish Premiership.

The Blues are also said to have made contact over the signing of versatile Sevilla winger Juanlu Sanchez, who has registered seven goal contributions (four goals and three assists) in 11 La Liga starts so far this season.

Everton will allow "phenomenal" ace to leave

According to Football Insider, Everton will not make Jack Harrison’s loan move a permanent one this summer, saying they are “expected to pull the plug” on any deal to snap him up for good. The winger has spent back-to-back seasons on loan at Goodison Park from Leeds United, but it looks like his time at the club will reach its conclusion at the end of the season.

The £90,000-a-week Harrison has been a solid servant for Everton, providing quality and work ethic from out wide, but he has never come close to fulfilling the talent the likes of Conor McGilligan saw at Leeds: “I think Jack has been superb since the season started, because you guys know on this channel, I’m always talking about Jack Harrison, I’m always saying I think he should be improving this, that and the other. I think he’s stepped up since Raphinha’s left, I think he’s been absolutely superb.

“Yesterday, I thought he was phenomenal. Best player on the pitch for Leeds United and I’ll give credit where credit’s due.”

For that reason, it arguably makes sense for Everton not to pursue a permanent move for Harrison, who turns 29 later this year and therefore may not be considered a long-term option. That said, if they decide to keep him, there would be merits to it, given his experience at a high level.

Liverpool eyeing teenage Fabregas student as long-term Salah replacement

Liverpool are beginning their search for Mo Salah’s replacement.

ByBrett Worthington Feb 27, 2025

Instead, the Blues should be looking at a younger alternative when the summer arrive – someone who can provide a similar level on the right flank as Iliman Ndiaye does on the left.

Ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara lays into Ruben Amorim, claiming he's not the right man for United after their dismal defeat to Tottenham.

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• United lost to Tottenham in Europa League final
• Red Devils languish 16th in Premier League
• O'Hara insists he should leave

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United suffered a humiliating defeat in the Europa League final against Tottenham on Wednesday night, with a lacklustre performance that drew widespread criticism. Manager Amorim's tactics and team selection were heavily scrutinized, with many questioning his ability to turn things around at Old Trafford. Jamie O'Hara has become one of the most vocal critics of the performance, saying Amorim should walk away from his position at the club.

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  Amorim's tenure at United has been heavily scrutinised, especially given the team's struggles in the Premier League, where they currently languish in 16th place. This latest defeat in a major final has only intensified the pressure on the Portuguese manager. The club's cost-cutting measures and potential fire sale under Jim Ratcliffe further complicate matters, casting doubt on their ability to attract top talent and rebuild the squad.

• WHAT O'HARA SAID

  Speaking to Sky Sports, O'Hara said: "Shocking. I thought they were terrible. They were so bad. It is actually probably the worst Manchester United final performance I've ever seen. They were absolutely awful.

  "The manager inept of ideas, didn't know how to change it, didn't know how to affect the game. Made substitutions too late. He should walk because he ain't the right man for the job. He's really not the right man for the job. And the performances he's put in since he's gone there have been shocking. He should walk but no one walks anymore because there's too much money on offer. So he's not going to walk.

  "Who's going to join United? They're 16th in the table. They've got no European football and everyone knows that the club is cost-cutting the wages. They're getting rid of everyone. With Jim Ratcliffe, it's like a fire sale. Everyone's up for sale. Who actually is going to want to join United?"

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  Amorim faces a crucial pre-season to prove his worth to the United board and fans. Whether he will be given the time and resources to bring in new players and implement his system remains to be seen.

MatériaMais Notícias

O clima entre Atlético-MG e Flamengo não é dos melhores. De acordo com o “ge”, o Galo deseja que Gabigol seja punido pelo Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva (STJD). No entendimento do clube mineiro, o atacante rubro-negro pode ter incitado a violência ao dizer que o time mineiro conheceria o “inferno” no jogo de volta das oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, no Maracanã.

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A notícia não foi bem recebida pelo Flamengo. O vice-presidente geral e jurídico do Rubro-Negro, Rodrigo Dunshee, se manifestou nas redes e deu a entender que o clube carioca entrará com um processo contra o Atlético-MG por diferentes motivos.

– Seria mais decente que tivessem esclarecido os cantos homofóbicos, o tratamento agressivo a nossa torcida, a conduta reprovável da PM de BH. Mas tudo bem. Farão isso no processo que finalizamos hoje – postou o dirigente rubro-negro ao comentar a notícia.

+Quais jogadores vão ou podem sair do Brasil na janela? Veja 7 nomes

Por ter vencido no jogo de ida, o Atlético-MG pode empatar na volta, no Maracanã, para ficar com a vaga nas quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. O Flamengo, por sua vez, precisa vencer e contará com a força da torcida para atingir o objetivo.

On paper, Sri Lanka have the better spinners, but they will need some stars to align if they are to upset the hosts

Andrew Fidel Fernando24-Oct-20221:12

Marsh: ‘Our backs are against the wall and we know what’s in front of us now’

Big pictureIs it possible? Are Sri Lanka in a better place going into this match than defending champions Australia?You could make a case, but not really. It’s complicated. Australia were beaten so profoundly by New Zealand in their tournament opener, their NRR has plummeted to a truly appalling -4.45. Sri Lanka, having thrashed Ireland first up, have a NRR of 2.467.NRRs only come into play if teams are on equal points ahead of the semi-finals. But you’re aiming to be the two best sides in a six-team group. Competition is fierce. And NRRs will weigh on teams’ minds. Sides as far back as Australia, who ordinarily are expected to beat Sri Lanka on home tracks, have that little extra inkling of pressure upon them. They don’t just want to beat Sri Lanka; they want to win big.Sri Lanka will be content with just winning. In Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dhananjaya de Silva, they have better spinners than Australia. But on paper, Sri Lanka don’t win a lot of battles. They don’t have a pace attack of the quality of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. And while Kusal Mendis looks as if he is working himself up to serious form, Sri Lanka’s middle order did not put up serious numbers in the qualifiers. They are heavily dependent on those 8-12 overs of spin.If an upset is to happen here, some stars will need to align. The likes of Dasun Shanaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa may have to produce the kinds of innings they did in the recent Asia Cup, which Sri Lanka won. Sri Lanka’s inexperienced seamers will need to perform beyond expectation also.Related

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Finch: Australia's 'fate out of our own hands to a point'

Form guide (completed matches, most recent first)Australia LLLWWSri Lanka WWWLWIn the spotlightAustralia’s openers are their top-scorers this year, which isn’t particularly surprising. However, they have hurt Sri Lanka many times before, and will be confident of taking down the opposition’s novice seam attack. Aaron Finch has three fifties and strikes at 136 against Sri Lanka. David Warner has monstered Sri Lanka in the past, hitting six fifties and a hundred. His 642 runs against them is his highest against any opposition, and he has scored those runs at a strike rate of 141. Sri Lanka will probably need them out early to make a game of this.Although Wanindu Hasaranga gets a lot of headlines, Maheesh Theekshana has been building himself quite the record too. After 28 T20Is, he has 29 wickets, and an impressive economy rate of 6.42 when you consider he often bowls at least one over in the powerplay. In the absence of Sri Lanka’s go-to death bowler in Dushmantha Chameera, Theekshana will likely have to bowl towards the end of an innings too. So far, he’s done the job nicely. He’s got seven wickets, and maintained an economy rate of 5.86 so far in this tournament.Australia’s opening defeat to New Zealand has left their NRR at an appalling -4.45•ICC/Getty Images

Pitch and conditionsThere is a small chance of rain in Perth, but it’s unlikely to impact the cricket hugely. Not a lot is known about how the Perth stadium pitch will behave, because it is not only a new stadium, it also saw little cricket over the pandemic. But it tends to be a boundary-hitting ground.Team newsSri Lanka are likely to slot Pathum Nissanka back in the XI, and perhaps put seamer Pramod Madushan back into play too, with both seeming to have recovered from niggles. This means Ashen Bandara, and perhaps Lahiru Kumara, go out.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Kusal Mendis (wk), 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Dhananjaya de Silva, 4 Charith Asalanka, 5 Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Chamika Karunaratne, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Pramod Madushan, 11 Binura Fernando/Lahiru KumaraAustralia are likely to be unchanged despite their big loss.Australia (possible): 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch (capt.), 3 Mitchell Marsh, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Tim David, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh HazlewoodStats and triviaAustralia have won eight of the T20s they’ve played against Sri Lanka at home, to Sri Lanka’s seven. One of those wins was a Super Over victory. Dasun Shanaka has had an outstanding 2022, in which he’s hit 456 runs, at a strike rate of 142. But he’s had a modest World Cup so far, with scores of 29, 0, and 8 in his three innings. The three most-prolific T20I batters against Sri Lanka are Australia batters. Warner is No. 1 and, Finch No. 3, with 446 career runs against them. Glenn Maxwell, at No. 2 on this list, has the most impressive stats – he’s hit 459 at a strike rate of 175.

Anthony Gordon starred over both legs as Newcastle United, frankly, took Arsenal to the cleaners in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

He’s shaped into one of the best wingers in English football, winning Newcastle’s Player of the Year award in 2023/24, his first full season at the club.

There’s no love lost between Everton and their former starboy, who rose through the Finch Farm ranks before becoming a regular feature for the Blues during the 2021/22 campaign,

Pundit and one-time Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson’s verdict was that the young Toffee was “not enough of a goal threat” and failed to “hit the heights” of his breakout campaign, with Everton struggling and Gordon tempted by mounting interest in his services.

He got his wish and left in acrimonious circumstances. Everton banked a pretty penny for his sale, with Newcastle forking out £45m after Gordon’s transfer request, but Everton lost one of their finest youngsters before he could truly hit his stride on Merseyside.

It would be nice if David Moyes could bring another top talent through to the senior squad.

Everton's best current youth prospects

Gordon completed 78 senior appearances for Everton after graduating from Finch Farm but only scratched the surface of his lofty potential, scoring only seven goals.

The fact remains that he is one of the club’s finest prospects over the past decade, however, Moyes will be delighted to note that there is an abundance of quality pushing through to the fore right now.

Within the U21 set-up, right-back Roman Dixon, 20, has already made three senior appearances due to injury issues earlier in the campaign, while 19-year-old midfielder Jack Patterson will be looking to feature under Moyes after making headway over the past few years.

Up top, forward Omari Benjamin, poached from Arsenal’s Hale End, is pushing to make his senior debut before the end of the season, comfortably leading the club’s scoring charts with six goals to his name this term, notably scoring both as Everton beat Liverpool 2-0 before Christmas.

Benjamin was hailed for his ‘explosive finishing ability’ by The Guardian before joining Everton’s youth system and will be confident that he can emerge as the club’s finest prospect since Gordon.

However, that’s easier said than done when he’s competing with Braiden Graham.

Everton's most exciting star since Gordon

Sometimes, an up-and-coming forward emerges with a natural ball-striking ability that bespeaks top-level success. Graham might only be 17 years old but he has that knack for finding the back of the net.

Linfield boss David Healy once hailed Graham as a “deadly finisher” before his Everton transfer and he’s yet to let his former gaffer down in England. Graham scored twice for Linfield’s first team before leaving Northern Ireland and signing for the Toffees last summer.

He’s yet to be promoted to the U21s, but Graham is hardly failing to impress in the U18 Premier League, firing seven goals home across 11 matches, also racking up two assists.

Graham’s positional flexibility further suggests that he could be Moyes’ own version of the above-discussed Gordon, for he has been placed across a variety of roles this term.

Attacking midfield

4

3

1

Centre-forward

3

2

0

Right winger

2

1

0

Left winger

1

1

1

Perhaps more curiously, Graham seems to retain his clinical value wherever Leighton Baines, U18s manager, places him. The Northern Irish prospect is endowed with natural speed and an athletic ability that allows him to confuse defenders and link up with teammates before finding space and rifling well-struck shots into the inside netting.

Such transferrable skills are perfectly evidenced through his goals across every area of the frontline this term, and a larger sample pool would be needed to reach conclusive data.

His grace and balance do suggest that he would be well suited to a permanent role on the flanks or behind the centre-forward, dropping off opponents’ shoulders, bursting away and causing chaos.

Everton and Moyes like to play with a physical and focal number nine, and while Graham’s finishing ability suggests he could play such a role, the teenager may actually benefit from creating a dynamic partnership with a profile such as Beto or Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

There’s also the matter of Wayne Rooney, who was prodigiously promoted to the Everton senior set-up way back in 2002 by a certain Scottish manager.

Graham obviously won’t be expected to hit the same heights in the maiden stage of his career, but there’s little question that Moyes is the right type of manager to equip him with with confidence needed to earn opportunities among more senior teammates.

Where the Irish talent’s best position lies remains open to question, but with such an exciting and prolific start to life at Everton, there’s every chance that he will emulate Gordon and emerge as a talented and high-value member.

Let’s just hope that this time, the prospect in question won’t seek a future away from Merseyside while still developing their quality.

Moyes is looking to build a dynasty at the outfit for the second time, and if his start to life is anything to go by, he’ll steer Everton away from the dysfunction that has dominated the recent years.

In The Pipeline

It all needs to come together, with academy players like Graham as part of the process.

After Alcaraz signing: Everton can now finally axe Dyche's "shining light"

Everton’s new signing might get a start at the weekend

1 ByJoe Nuttall Feb 6, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Conhecido nesta temporada como uma fortaleza de bons resultados, o estádio Nabi Abi Chedid não foi tão eficaz ao Bragantino na última semana.

– VEJA A TABELA DO BRASILEIRÃO

Em seis dias, o time de Mauricio Barbieri entrou em campo por três vezes como mandante e não conseguiu vencer em nenhuma das oportunidades.

No primeiro desafio, o Vélez Sarsfield soube segurar o ímpeto do Braga e arrancou o empate por 1 a 1 na Libertadores.

Pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, o Bragantino recebeu Corinthians e Atlético-MG. Contra o Timão, o placar foi adverso e terminou 1 a 0 para o rival. Contra o Galo igualdade por 1 a 1.

Agora, o próximo desafio em casa será apenas no dia 17 de maio, quando a equipe encara o Estudiantes de La Plata, pela Libertadores da América.

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The pair have said there is already evidence of players favouring other competitions

Alex Malcolm22-Jul-2022Cricket Australia is under more pressure than ever before to attract big-name overseas talent to the BBL due to the huge sums of money that might be on offer in the new South Africa and UAE T20 leagues which will run at a similar time of the year, according to both Ricky Ponting and Usman Khawaja.Ponting has moved into a team role in the BBL for the first time since playing and commentating on the tournament through the first 11 years having been appointed as Hobart Hurricanes’ head of strategy. He made his first key appointments on Friday announcing Jeff Vaughan as head coach for the next three years alongside new assistants James Hopes and Darren Berry.Ponting and his new coaching staff held a three-hour meeting on Thursday night in which they discussed Hurricanes’ plans for the upcoming overseas player draft which is to be held on August 28. Hurricanes will have the last pick (8th) in the first two rounds after being drawn out last in the weighted lottery.But following the development that the new South Africa T20 league had sold ownership of each of their new franchises to IPL owners, and with the likelihood of the same thing happening in the UAE, Ponting warned the BBL might be under greater threat than ever in terms of attracting the best players given the overlaps in January.Related

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Gilchrist: 'Commercial suicide' for Cricket Australia if Warner & Co skip BBL for other T20 leagues

“There might be more pressure on Cricket Australia now than ever before,” Ponting said. “I’ve got no idea what Cricket Australia are thinking as far as the current model they’ve got, but it just seems that, if you look at the draft already this year, and you look at the player availability, it looks like the majority of the players are pretty happy to commit to the BBL for the first part, the first six or eight games.”Then the South African tournament is going to start up in mid-January and you can guarantee the players are probably going to look to play the first half here and go play the second half over there, which for a tournament like the Big Bash is not ideal. So if there are ways around that and ways that that can be changed, then I think Cricket Australia most definitely have to look at that.”

Even for the local players here, if leagues start coming up in UAE, South Africa, wherever, what if a local player starts thinking I’ll get paid twice as much money to go and play over there, why would I stay here in the Big BashUsman Khawaja

Time to go private?Khawaja was even more forthright on the threat CA faces from the overseas tournaments. He was part of the Australian Cricketers’ Association delegates conference in Melbourne earlier this week where CA CEO Nick Hockley and head of the BBL Alistair Dobson both presented on the upcoming season and the draft. Khawaja again stated his belief the competition had to look to private investment.”I’ve spoken about this before, I think there’s a fork in the road for the Big Bash in my personal opinion,” Khawaja said. “I don’t speak for ACA or CA, my personal opinion is the BBL needs to look to privatising because the money needs to come from somewhere. Players won’t come to the Big Bash unless you are paying them the right money.”There are other tournaments starting up that are privatised. If you don’t keep up with that, and there’s a small window for the Big Bash to privatise in the next few years, and I’m afraid if we don’t do that we’ll fall behind. Already you’ll see players not list for the draft. I’ve talked to a couple and they’ve not listed for the draft because they want to spend Christmas at home and then will go and play in the UAE. That’s a red flag for me already.”The money has to come from somewhere and you don’t necessarily want it to come from CA’s stock, then that affects another part of the organisation. So why not bring money from outside. I think the IPL is a very good model. If we aren’t trying to follow that type of progression, I feel like the BBL can be left behind.”This season the BBL will run from December 13 to February 4 with overseas players able to nominate how much they are available for.Hobart Hurricanes head of strategy Ricky Ponting appointed Jeff Vaughan as Hurricanes new coach•Cricket TasmaniaFaf du Plessis has put his name in the draft along with current South Africa batter Rilee Rossouw, among a host of other names. Du Plessis is set to be bracketed as a platinum player but may not be available for the second half of the tournament if he opts for the South African league, meaning BBL teams have to weigh up whether he or another platinum player is worth using roughly AUD$200,000 from a $1.9 million salary cap for half a season. Platinum players are set to earn up to $340,000 but CA will make up the difference which will sit outside the cap.BBL teams have opted for lower tier overseas in the past in order to have them available for the whole tournament with Perth Scorchers recruitment of Colin Munro and Laurie Evans last year a prime example.”If you are going to have 14 games like IPL the money has to match,” Khawaja said. “Even for the local players here, if leagues start coming up in UAE, South Africa, wherever, what if a local player starts thinking I’ll get paid twice as much money to go and play over there, why would I stay here in the Big Bash. Those are the questions we have to ask ourselves. I don’t think the amount of games is the issue, personally, it’s the salary cap.”Homegrown namesThe recruitment of Australian internationals is another element to this year’s tournament with multi-format players, some of who don’t have clubs, set to be available for the last three weeks after the scheduled ODI series with South Africa was cancelled.Last season Steven Smith was not allowed to play in the finals for Sydney Sixers despite wanting to. A key part of the next MOU negotiations between CA and the ACA, due to formally begin in September, will be regarding CA contracted players appearing in the BBL when available. David Warner has not played in the tournament since 2013 and Mitchell Starc has already said he won’t be available this year as he opts to rest. Whether they are forced to play and who they play for is an issue that needs to be resolved in the near future.Steven Smith will likely appear in the BBL this season•Getty Images”I don’t think players would like to be told where they’re playing,” Ponting said. “I think they would want to have the choice. I know that was one of the things we were talking about last night is, if there is a chance for us to be able to get hold of some of the guys that are going to have quite a decent break now through the middle of this tournament, so we threw a few names around there.”This has been spoken about for a long time now as well. How do we get the Australian players back into BBL but more importantly, if we do, how are they remunerated, and what teams are they associated with? And I think it’s coming to the point now…with these other tournaments around the world that more and more attention needs to be paid to that for the BBL’s sake.”I think there’s a chance attracting the best overseas talent here is probably going to get harder and harder as we’ve seen already the last three or four seasons. But the most important thing is getting our best Australian players when at all available to come and play in the BBL.”