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Oman make the grade too after a four-wicket win over hosts Namibia

Peter Della Penna in Windhoek24-Apr-2019Xavier Marshall’s first official international century for USA set the platform for his team to secure ODI status for the first time in their history as they cruised past Hong Kong at United Cricket Club.USA were sent in – they lost their fourth consecutive toss in Namibia – and former West Indies Test player Marshall anchored the innings after losing opening partner Monank Patel at the end of the second over. Monank, who was Man of the Match for his unbeaten 70 a day earlier against Papua New Guinea, chipped a leading edge back to offspinning allrounder Kinchit Shah.Marshall got off to a sluggish start, scoring 18 off his first 55 balls, before he was dropped twice in the space of three overs off Ehsan Khan. The first chance was a scorching drive that Ehsan did well to protect his face from, but the second, when he was on 23, was a straightforward chance to midwicket that captain Anshuman Rath couldn’t hold on to.Rath’s drop cost Hong Kong dearly as not only did Marshall go on to make a century off 153 balls, but also compiled an 184-run partnership with Steven Taylor, who hit 88 in 95 balls. It’s the highest second-wicket stand in USA’s one-day cricket history and their fourth highest partnership for any wicket. One ball after Marshall brought up his century with a boundary over midwicket, though, he fell to spark a flurry of wickets. But Timil Patel’s cameo of 34 not out off 12 balls concluded the innings with two sixes over long-on to take USA to 280.The chase proved to be anticlimactic after Ali Khan struck the decisive blow in the sixth over. Khan trapped the tournament’s leading scorer Rath with an inswinging yorker for his tournament-high 13th wicket. From there, victory was assured as Hong Kong played to limit the damage to their net run-rate for the majority of their innings as they still hold a chance of securing fourth place.Fast bowler Kaleemullah and Oman Cricket director Pankaj Khimji celebrate Oman gaining ODI status•Peter Della PennaOman became the second team on the day to clinch ODI status, about 45 minutes after USA, as Sandeep Goud struck an unbeaten 57, including the winning six, with five balls to spare to keep Oman unbeaten with a win over Namibia.Four years earlier at Malahide, Oman had secured T20I status with a dramatic win over the same opponents at the World T20I Qualifier and Goud’s knock provided a bit of déjà vu at Affies Park for Oman.Jan Frylinck dismissed Khurram Nawaz at the start of the 44th over for the sixth wicket and his third of the day, leaving Oman needing 57 off the last 35 balls. But Namibia could not break into the tail as allrounder Goud marshalled Oman across the line with a career-best knock. With 39 required off 24, Goud struck Frylinck for four and six to start the 47th and by the end of the over Oman needed 24 off 18 before strolling across the line.Namibia had fought back brilliantly after being pinned down in the first innings at 98 for 7. JJ Smit and Zane Green compiled a 103-run eighth-wicket stand as Smit counter-attacked with a run-a-ball 60 from No. 9. Namibia had momentum going their way into the break before Fayyaz Butt wrested it back for Oman, dismissing the set pair on back-to-back balls in the penultimate over.The silver lining for Namibia is that they still control their own destiny heading into the final day of round-robin play. A win over Hong Kong will seal ODI status but they can even obtain it in spite of a loss as they currently hold a massive +1.452 net run-rate advantage over Hong Kong (fourth place) and a +1.663 advantage over Canada (fifth).Captain Davy Jacobs kept Canada’s hopes of claiming the fourth and final ODI status slot alive after his unbeaten half-century clinched a nervy chase at Wanderers over Papua New Guinea.Canada had PNG on the ropes for the majority of the match but struggled to land a knockout blow. PNG were 70 for 7 after electing to bat first, almost a carbon copy of their struggles from a day earlier against USA, but Assad Vala fought valiantly with the tail to extend the innings until the 45th over.Promoted to open from his usual No. 3, the PNG captain and tailenders Jason Kila, Nosaina Pokana and Damien Ravu added 84 for the final three wickets with Vala doing most of the heavy lifting. It took the return of Dillon Heyliger, who had earlier hit the top order with three wickets, to finally dislodge Vala to end the innings with 34 balls unused.Yet, Canada’s top order failed again in the chase. It took Jacobs to steady things upon entering at 56 for 4. Heyliger played a key role with Jacobs at the end as well as the pair knocked off the final 21 runs together in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand.Canada can clinch ODI status for the first time since 2014 if they beat USA on Friday paired with a Hong Kong loss to Namibia and a PNG loss to Oman. If Canada, Hong Kong and PNG all lose, they will all remain on 1-4 with the fourth ODI status slot decided by net run-rate.

In addition to signing established players ready to make an immediate first-term impact last summer – the likes of James Maddison, Micky van de Ven and Brennan Johnson – Spurs also acquired a couple of teenagers with the potential to be starters for the club in the longer term.

19-year-old forward Alejo Veliz arrived from Argentine club Rosario Central, while 18-year-old centre-back Ashley Phillips came in from second-tier Blackburn Rovers. It looks as if Spurs may try to continue that two-timeline approach in January, this time with a move for Royal Antwerp's Arthur Vermeeren.

Even though he's only 18, Vermeeren has already established himself as a mainstay in the Antwerp side. He's not only started all 20 of their Pro League games this season, he's also completed the full 90 minutes in all but three. His domestic form has earned him a rapid call-up to the Belgian senior side, with two caps under his belt, and he's firmly in contention to feature at this summer's European Championships.

Man Utd rival Spurs for Vermeeren

According to Tottenham Hotspur News, Spurs have been pursuing Vermeeren, who has drawn comparisons to former Lilywhites player Christian Eriksen his "technical ability and range of passing".

However, they now face "serious competition" from Premier League rival Manchester United, who have identified Vermeeren as a "big target" for 2024. Manager Ange Postecoglou is "keen" for his side to come out on top, particularly because it would hurt to see him playing a direct competitor.

Vermeeren could be a transformative signing

Fabrizio Romano reported last month that Vermeeren is "set to leave" Belgium this year, if not in January, then definitely in the summer. The big question is where he ends up, with interest likely extend beyond the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Old Trafford.

Named in the best XI of players born in 2005 or 2006 by the CIES Football Observatory last year (Breaking The Lines), he's one of the premier midfield talents in Europe. Under-23 expert Antonio Mango has described him as a "gift to football", while talent scout Jacek Kulig has billed him a "sensation".

Vermeeren has took his chance to sign in the Champions League this season, scoring against Barcelona in the final group-stage match and becoming the third-youngest player to provide two assists in a Champions League game against Shakhtar Donestsk.

Indeed, the teenager is a player who can spot gaps in opposition defensive structures and thread the ball through, which is why he ranks as high as fifth in the Belgian top-flight for progressive passes this season (142). He was also right up there last season for take-on percentage (third with 76.2), emphasising his ability to evade pressure in the middle of the park, and tackles won (10th with 46), proving that there's a bite to his game too (FBRef).

When you combine all this with the fact that as, of January 1, he'd covered the most distance in the league (Zach Lowy), you can see how he's managed to make himself an indispensable player already. Vermeeren is an outstanding, all-round midfield package, and if Spurs win the race, his capture could be celebrated for a generation.

South Africa determined to learn from opening loss and move on, captain says

Osman Samiuddin30-May-2019It wasn’t quite the chronicle of a defeat foretold but South Africa talked this game down so much in the run-up, it did feel, long before the actual end, inevitable. One of the messages that kept coming out through to game day was that the format of this tournament affords them an early loss or two. The opening game was important, but far from decisive.If it is at least out of the way now, there is slightly less margin for error than before. And this World Cup moves – less than a week from today they’ll be playing their third game, against India who will be playing their first.”Yeah, this is where it’s important for us to make sure that you look at the World Cup for what it is,” Faf du Plessis said after a 104-run defeat.”You know, you’re going to play games. You’re going to come up against quality opposition. Today England was better than us in all three facets of the game. They show why they are such a good cricket team, and now we have to look at the league. It’s a league competition.”As disappointed as we are with our performances today, you have to make sure you learn from it quickly and put every single dart to bed because there is a next game and you have to make sure you play good cricket again.”In many ways the result revealed more about England’s credentials for the challenge ahead rather than South Africa’s. It was England who had to overcome a slow pitch and show that there is another side to their game.Given England’s batting, South Africa could have considered restricting them to 311 a job well done, especially with an attack built on three specialists and a couple of allrounders and part-timers. In particular, conceding just 76 in the last 10 was a mini-triumph, more so for Lungi Ngidi who overcame a nervy start to pick up three cheap wickets at the death.”Yeah, I thought after the first half, that we did a good job with the ball,” du Plessis said. “You know, as I said before this game, England more so than any other team in this World Cup, bat longer than anyone else. So if you can stop them with the long batting line-up you have, then you’re doing a great job with the ball.”For them to score as little runs as they did the last 15 overs and us picking up as many wickets as we did, was a great achievement by our bowling units. But yeah, as I said, 310 is still a big score, so what you need to do you is need to start well, and we didn’t have that luxury today.”The chase was on until the moment Hashim Amla went off, having been pinged by a Jofra Archer bouncer. That disrupted the start but it also reaffirmed perhaps how much South Africa’s batting will depend Quinton de Kock, Amla and du Plessis himself (though Rassie van der Dussen must feel like a welcome addition).”When you are chasing a big score like 310 what you need is a good start,” du Plessis said. “You need to make sure that you settle the bats in the dressing room with a good partnership, whether it’s zero down or one down, but a good start is really important and obviously with him [Amla] coming off, and then a few overs later, Aiden got out and then one or two overs later, I got out. When you go three-down on a big score like that, you’re making it really tough for our batting unit to perform. And then the score just looks big. It looks too far.”

Daphne van Domselaar has admitted she 'would like' to join a club like Arsenal as their goalkeeper search moves away from Lionesses star Mary Earps.

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Arsenal's interest in Earps has cooledVan Domselaar now main goalkeeper targetAston Villa star responds to transfer linksWHAT HAPPENED?

Earps, who is out of contract at Manchester United this summer, has been linked with the Gunners a lot in the past year and a new goalkeeper is among the club's priorities after they said farewell to both Sabrina D'Angelo and Kaylan Marckese just this month. However, while the Lionesses' No.1 could still be an option, Arsenal's main target appears to now be Van Domselaar, who would demand a significant fee if signed from Aston Villa.

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Van Domselaar arrived in the Midlands only last summer, having come to the attention of most during a breakout Euro 2022, and rumours continue to suggest that she could be out the door after just one season with Arsenal very interested. The Dutchwoman has a contract until 2026, with reporting that it includes a £200,000 ($254,000) release clause.

WHAT VAN DOMSELAAR SAID

Speaking to about those transfer links while on camp with the Netherlands this week, Van Domselaar said: “Those rumours are indeed there, but right now the national team is the most important thing. Of course you want to win prizes and develop yourself on a personal level. You want to play Champions League, play for the cups and the league. So eventually I would like such a transfer.”

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Villa may well be preparing for Van Domselaar's exit, too, as reports suggest that they are interested in signing D'Angelo following her departure from Arsenal.

A Crystal Palace managerial front-runner has now emerged, should the club decide to part ways with Roy Hodgson, according to one reliable reporter.

Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace future

The Eagles suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, leaving the club five points above the relegation zone. There was a staged protest from members of the travelling support during the game, with a large banner held up in the away end reading:

“Wasted potential. On and off the pitch, weak decisions. Taking us backwards."

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Talking after the loss, Hodgson was asked about his future and if he had the support from the Palace board, to which he said:

“That's a question for them, isn't it? But if you're asking me if I've ever felt a lack of support from them, then the answer is no. I think they've been good, but I mean now in [the] situation that you're obviously discussing, in this scenario you're envisaging, that's going to be a question for them.

“When a team isn't doing as well as it should be doing, someone needs to be held responsible, and that's the manager.”

The Daily Mail claimed after the game at the Emirates that Palace, and by extension chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman, are identifying replacements for Hodgson due to their poor run of form, with Steve Cooper and Julen Lopetegui two possible candidates. Now, a new update has emerged regarding one of the two targets.

Steve Cooper in pole position for Crystal Palace job

According to Rahman Osman of London World, Cooper is the manager who is leading the race to take over from Hodgson. The 44-year-old is ready to return to the dugout after leaving Nottingham Forest last month, and Palace could be tested with their backing of Hodgson until the summer due to their current form.

Cooper, who plays an attacking 4-3-3 system, took Forest back into the Premier League and kept the Reds up in his first season before leaving last month.

The Welshman has been on Palace’s radar for some time now and was even linked with the job when he was still at the City Ground, so some may not see it as a surprise that he’s in pole position to take over from Hodgson. Former Palace boss Sam Allardyce has previously praised Cooper, hailing him for the “incredible” job he did in the Midlands.

"What becomes difficult in terms of building team spirit is having too many players. Most managers don’t have enough. What they don’t have enough of is quality, and what they don’t want is quantity.

“Steve is one of the only managers to say he has too many players. Dealing with that can distract your focus. You want to keep them all involved and use them if you can and see what they’ve got, but ultimately, it’s a very tough decision. Steve has done an incredible job dealing with these issues as well as getting good results.”

Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli are reportedly ready to trigger Napoli striker Victor Osimhen's release clause for a summer move.

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Osimhen expected to leave NapoliAl-Ahli to trigger €120m release clauseEuropean clubs unlikely to match feeGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Osimhen has been a major target for multiple top European clubs and Napoli have reportedly been willing to sell the Nigerian this summer. However, they are only willing to do so if a club triggers his massive release clause of €120 million (£101m/$129m), which has pushed away the interest from Paris-Saint Germain and Chelsea, his biggest admirers.

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As per Italian publication , Osimhen is almost certain to leave the this summer. Al-Ahli could be one of the likeliest options for the Nigerian as the Saudi club are willing to trigger his release clause. Napoli are also said to be unlikely to be willing to reduce their asking price for any club this summer. Although the Saudi side are willing to match the fee, Osimhen has not yet agreed to join the club.

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

The Nigerian had his breakout season with Napoli in 2022-23 when he scored 26 goals and provided five assists in 32 games as they won the Serie A title for the first time since 1990. This season his overall form dropped considerably and disagreements with the board have seen his departure seem extremely likely.

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WHAT NEXT FOR OSIMHEN?

It is still unknown whether Osimhen himself will be ready to make a move to Saudi Arabia so early in his career, but Napoli are likely to be happy if he departs sooner rather than later as it would massively boost their budget this summer.

Labuschagne boosts position as leading run-maker with an unbeaten 56 as Glamorgan trail by 126

ECB Reporters Network24-Jun-2019Chris Dent notched his 16th first class century and Marchant de Lange his 300th wicket as Gloucestershire and Glamorgan battled for supremacy on the second day of the Specsavers County Championship match at Bristol.It ended with the visitors 187 for 4 in reply to Gloucestershire’s 313, Marnus Labuschagne enhancing his position as the leading run-maker in the competition this season with an unbeaten 56 and Nicholas Selman making 73.The home side had lost their last five wickets for 47 to the second new ball after lunch, Michael Hogan and Graham Wagg ending with three wickets each and wicketkeeper Tom Cullen claimed five catches.Skipper Dent, who began the day on 82, was dismissed for 105, his second successive Championship hundred, but had reason to be disappointed with his team’s total from a position of 168 for 1 at stumps the previous evening.Hogan made the first breakthrough of the morning when James Bracey, on 28, edged to David Lloyd at first slip. Dent went to his century, off 174 balls, with 14 fours, with a boundary off de Lange.The left-hander perished soon afterwards, nicking Dan Douthwaite through to Cullen, who soon took another catch, off Wagg, to send back Benny Howell.Wagg struck again when Jack Taylor, on 13, was taken by Selman in the slips and at lunch Gloucestershire were 266 for 5, with Gareth Roderick and Ryan Higgins having added 33 for the sixth wicket.The afternoon session began with Roderick’s middle stump being uprooted by Hogan, who followed up by having Higgins caught behind.Then de Lange reached a personal milestone, bowling David Payne’s off stump to bring up his triple century of first class victims. It was no more than the South African deserved after having three catches spilled.Graeme van Buuren earned Gloucestershire’s third batting point with a cover driven four off de Lange before Wagg had him caught behind by Cullen, who made it five catches in the innings by dismissing last man Matt Taylor off Douthwaite.Glamorgan could feel pleased with their efforts and momentum stayed with them as openers Selman and Charlie Hemphrey put together a stand of 35 before tea. They were parted with the score on 58 when Gloucestershire keeper Roderick took a fine low catch, diving to his right, to dismiss Hemphrey for 28.Josh Shaw was the successful bowler and he struck again after a partnership of 95 between Labuschagne and Selman, having the latter well caught at slip by Howell after hitting 10 fours in his 132-ball innings.Lloyd could make only a single before edging Higgins through to Roderick and the day ended with Matt Taylor bowling Billy Root for 21. By then Labuschagne had continued his impressive season by moving to a half-century off 78 deliveries, with five fours and a top-edged six off Payne. The 25-year-old Australian, eager to earn a place in his country’s Ashes squad, now has 760 Championship runs this season at an average of 69.At the close, Glamorgan trailed by 126, with Gloucestershire’s bowlers, Payne in particular, looking for a change of luck on day three, having passed the outside edge on numerous occasions.

Tottenham Hotspur completed their January transfer business with plenty of time to spare and now Ange Postecoglou has the luxury of sealing a final swoop before the window closes if an apt opportunity arises.

In other words, Spurs' priority of boosting their backline this winter has been achieved through the £27m acquisition of Radu Dragusin from Genoa, with Timo Werner's loan arrival adding a layer of mettle to the attacking ranks.

Now, with the window's culmination just a few days away, Tottenham appear to be targeting a new centre-midfielder, with Chelsea star Conor Gallagher at the top of the shopping list.

However, the Blues have placed a price tag of £80m on the 23-year-old and meeting such a sum is not really feasible at the season's midpoint, especially after Tottenham's outlay for Dragusin.

He's not the only player on Daniel Levy's radar though, with a recent update naming Tottenham as one of the possible suitors for a Premier League star.

Spurs admire exciting Premier League star

According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Spurs are keen admirers of Aston Villa's Jacob Ramsey, with German giants Bayern Munich also interested and Newcastle United making an approach for his services.

The 22-year-old has been hampered by injury this season but has established himself as a key player under Unai Emery's leadership and his departure from Villa Park is not what the Spaniard wants.

However, Villa need to stay compliant with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules and they will consider offers of £50m for the dynamic midfielder.

Jacob Ramsey's style of play

Ramsey has moved up the ranks with Aston Villa after graduating from the club's academy and has posted 13 goals and ten assists across 115 appearances, announcing himself as a major player last term as Villa commenced their rise.

As per Sofascore, Ramsey posted a healthy return of six goals and seven assists from 31 starting mathces in the English top-flight, completing 84% of his passes, averaging 1.2 key passes, 2.0 tackles and 4.6 successful duels per game.

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As per FBref, Ramsey ranks among the top 5% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals and assists, the top 3% for progressive carries and the top 2% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.

It's still uncertain if Ramsey's future lies on the left wing or in a more central, orchestrating role, but he has the quality to make his mark in either placement and discover his true calling under Maddison's wing.

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Creating eight big chances in the Premier League last year, the £70k-per-week star certainly has the trappings of a rounded creative threat and while there is a pathway to success at Villa Park, Tottenham could now take advantage of the Midlands side's quandary to fortify their own ranks.

Of course, he's spread his time across the wide flank and centre of the park under Emery's management but such metrics illustrate his cutting edge and efficacy as an offensive force nonetheless.

How Jacob Ramsey compares to James Maddison

Predicted to bloom into a “top-class” Premier League player in the future by pundit Jamie Carragher, Ramsey has evidently already enjoyed success at the highest level but has unfortunately played a bit-part role this season, struggling for fitness.

However, he's already proved the calibre of his skill set and could thrive with a move to the capital to join Postecoglou's project, especially if Werner's loan move is not made permanent in the summer.

Incisive with his striking and creative with his passing, Ramsey could serve as Maddison's understudy upon a prospective transfer to Tottenham, with the England international one of Europe's finest playmakers.

Tottenham signed Maddison from Leicester City in a £40m deal in June to commence the Postecoglou era with a flourish, and with the 27-year-old clinching three goals and five assists across 11 outings before an ankle injury in November stifled a brilliant first term, he's one of English football's golden standards for his position.

As per FBref, Maddison ranks among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers for assists, the top 1% for shot-creating actions and the top 6% for progressive passes per 90.

He has also supplied 2.9 key passes per game in the league this year and completed 85% of his passes, with that crispness in possession something that Ramsey implements in his own game.

Hailed as a "top-class player" by his teammate Ezri Konsa, Ramsey's dynamism illuminates the worth that Tottenham would find in acquiring his signature, with electric energy and breezy technical skills that could make him the perfect understudy for a star such as Maddison at Tottenham.

Ramsey has sometimes found himself ineffectual when on the left wing and there is a good chance that, wherever he may ply his trade in the future, he will occupy a central No. 10 role, with his positional intelligence and aforementioned technical prowess the perfect ingredients for a career as successful as someone like Maddison's.

Welcoming Ramsey to the fold is an attractive thought for Postecoglou and co but it's unlikely that £50m will be paid for his signature over the coming days.

However, it's also unlikely that Newcastle will meet such demands as Eddie Howe's side juggle their own issues in meeting PSR regulations.

Therefore, while Tottenham's interest is genuine it's unlikely that Ramsey will wind up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by the end of the week.

Though that's not to say a deal won't be struck in the summer…

Spin-bowling allrounder becomes fifth Pakistan international to sign up for tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jul-2019Imad Wasim, the Pakistan spin-bowling allrounder, has signed for Nottinghamshire as an overseas player for their Vitality Blast campaign. He will be available immediately, going into the squad for Friday night’s game against Derbyshire.Ranked second among T20I bowlers by the ICC, Wasim has been an integral figure in Pakistan’s rise to the top of the team rankings in the format, and has an economy rate of just 6.28 in T20 cricket over the course of his career.”With the nature of the international schedule, it’s a very difficult market in which to sign overseas players – far more difficult than it used to be,” Nottinghamshire director of cricket, Mick Newell, said. “With Imad becoming available on the back of the World Cup, we acted as quickly as possible to secure him.”The paperwork and clearances have taken a little bit of extra time, meaning we’ve had to start the tournament without him. But it’s good to now be welcoming him into the squad ahead of the next fixture against Derbyshire.”He brings an additional spin-bowling option that we think we can benefit from and he’ll strengthen our middle-order batting as well. With the venue we’ve got here at Trent Bridge and with the level of support we get here now, we are an attractive proposition to overseas cricketers.”Imad joins compatriots Faheem Ashraf, Babar Azam, Mohammad Amir and Fakhar Zaman to become the fifth Pakistan international with a contract for the Blast this season, though Zaman’s Glamorgan debut was delayed by visa issues and Amir has still to feature for Essex due to a similar issue.Nottinghamshire, who won the competition in 2017, were the favourites for the title this season, but started their campaign with a defeat against holders Worcestershire and a washout against Yorkshire before getting back on track with victory over Northamptonshire.Imad will fill the club’s second overseas slot, alongside captain Dan Christian. Notts had previously suggested Christian would be their only overseas signing for the Blast, but a serious knee injury to allrounder Steven Mullaney meant they swooped for reinforcement.”I can’t wait to represent the Outlaws in T20 cricket,” Imad said. “Trent Bridge is a wonderful ground with fans who are passionate and knowledgeable.”They were a generous audience during the One-Day International earlier this year and Trent Bridge under floodlights looked amazing.”My aim is to contribute to the Outlaws going all the way. They did it in 2017 and we have an exciting squad with lots of international talent that’s capable of doing it again.”This will be Imad’s first stint in the county game, though he has previously played club cricket for several different teams in England, including Papplewick, Burnley and Bradshaw. He will be available for the whole of the Blast, barring a two-game break at the end of August for his upcoming wedding.He was only picked in six of Pakistan’s eight World Cup games, but ended the tournament with 162 runs at a strike rate of 118.24, and was his team’s most economical bowler.

Manchester United have made an opening offer of £35m ($44m) for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, according to reports.

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Red Devils huge admirers of Branthwaite£35m bid set to be knocked backEverton holding out for £80m ($101m)WHAT HAPPENED?

Manchester United launched their first offer for Branthwaite after agreeing personal terms with the 21-year-old. According to The Athletic, the FA Cup winners have tabled a £35m bid for the centre-back.

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The Athletic broke the news on Friday but they report that Everton are expected to knock the bid back. They are expecting a much higher fee for their star defender, as they are concerned about Profit and Sustainability Rules, and must raise significant funds this summer. United, as a result, look likely to need to raise their offer.

DID YOU KNOW?

If Manchester United want to sign a player of Branthwaite's quality, they are going to have to swallow their medicine and pay up as Everton are keen to keep the England international. The threat of PSR breaches would perhaps sway the Toffees to hand over their star man but only if it is a bid that is too good to turn down. United losing Raphael Varane will make clubs aware that they are looking for a new centre-back so it puts them in a difficult situation as they traverse the inflated transfer market.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BRANTHWAITE AND MANCHESTER UNITED?

Branthwaite's absence from the England squad ahead of Euro 2024 means he is enjoying a well-deserved rest following a gruelling 2023-24 Premier League campaign. United will likely come in with an improved bid in the coming weeks but it may be a race against time as Everton would ideally like any deal to be wrapped up before 30 June.