Um dos primeiros pedidos do Botafogo envolvendo contratações para a próxima temporada é um nome conhecido pela torcida. O clube de General Severiano abriu contatos iniciais e conversa sobre a possibilidade de tentar assinar com Gabriel, zagueiro do Atlético, que jogou no Glorioso em 2019.
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O zagueiro de 25 anos entrou no radar e foi um pedido pela comissão técnica do Botafogo, já visando uma possível queda para a segunda divisão para o decorrer do ano.
Os contatos iniciais, contudo, não foram promissores. O estafe de Gabriel acredita que ele pode ter mercado em um clube da Série A, mas, ao mesmo tempo, uma possível vontade de retornar ao Alvinegro – que ainda não foi expressada, vale ressaltar – pode fazer a diferença.
A equipe mineira também não gostou dos moldes iniciais apresentados pelo clube de General Severiano, mas está aberta a negociar, dependendo da situação. Provavelmente não deve seguir com o jogo duro, já que Gabriel não é um dos defensores favoritos de Jorge Sampaoli, treinador do Galo.
Gabriel jogou no Botafogo em 2019, quando, à época, foi envolvido na negociação que levou Igor Rabello ao clube mineiro. Chegou com pouco alarde, mas foi um dos destaques do clube de General Severiano na temporada, sendo querido por boa parte da torcida.
They put on an unbroken 163-run stand to ensure Sri Lanka became the first Asian side to win a Test series in South Africa
The Report by Deivarayan Muthu23-Feb-2019
Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando react in the field•Getty Images
Sri Lanka arrived in South Africa in a state of utter turmoil – both on and off the field. After less than seven days of cricket, they have become only the third visiting side – after England and Australia – and the first Asian team to clinch a Test series in South Africa.It was Kusal Mendis, who spearheaded the famous win with a regal, unbeaten 84 off 110 balls in a chase of 197. He found an adventurous partner in Oshada Fernando, who struck 75 not out in 106 balls, and they peeled off 163 off 213 balls – the first century stand of the series to usher Sri Lanka to the target.When the day began, it was still anybody’s game: Sri Lanka needed 137 runs and South Africa eight wickets. But Sri Lanka eventually stormed to victory without losing even a single wicket.Mendis, in particular, rolled out one rollicking drive after another and collared South Africa’s seam attack. Once left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was recalled, Oshada twinkled down the track and launched him towards the sight screen. Mendis was the first to raise his half-century, off 52 balls, with a straight drive off Dale Steyn in the 29th over. Three overs later, Oshada moved to his maiden fifty in his fourth Test innings with a full-blooded back-foot whip between midwicket and mid-on off Maharaj.Rabada had cranked his pace up to speeds in the higher 140kph range, but Mendis and Oshada diffused his threat without much trouble. And when anything was remotely wide of off, they went after it like they owned it. Duanne Olivier hit the deck hard, like he has been doing through the summer, but Oshada took him on with daring hooks. What about Steyn? Mendis took him for a triptych of drives in his first over of the day, the pick of them a straight hit that nearly put Oshada in danger. And just like that, the hundred stand came off 126 balls.The closest South Africa came close to picking up a wicket was when Mendis flashed an outside edge, but Hashim Amla could not latch on to an overhead catch at first slip. Mendis was on 70 and Sri Lanka needed just 32 at that point. Mendis and Oshada knocked them off in fuss-free fashion to cap another monumental victory for Sri Lanka.
أعرب لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، أليكسيس ماك أليستر، عن سعادته بالفوز أمام برينتفورد في منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وفاز ليفربول أمام نظيره برينتفورد بنتيجة 2/0، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثانية من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز على ملعب “أنفيلد”.
اقرأ ايضاً.. فيديو.. ماذا قدم محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول وبرينتفورد بـ الدوري الإنجليزي؟
وقال ماك أليستر في تصريحات لشبكة “سكاي سبورتس”: “قدمنا مباراة رائعة، بذل الفريق قصارى جهده منذ الدقيقة الأولى، وهو ما كان واضحًا وكانت مباراة جيدة سواء في الاستحواذ أو بدون الكرة، فقد كان الأداء جيدًا، لذا نحن سعداء حقًا”.
وعن أفكاره للموسم الجديد أكد قائلاُ: “نعلم أن هناك مجالا للتحسين، في مرحلة الانتقال نحتاج أحيانا إلى التحلي بالصبر، ولكن بدلا من ذلك نتعامل بشكل مباشر، ولكننا في مرحلة الانتقال نحو هذا الأسلوب، الجميع يعمل بجدية من أجل استيعاب أفكار أرني سلوت”.
وعن مباراة مانشستر يونايتد المقبلة: “نعلم أن المباراة ضد مانشستر يونايتد هي مباراة ديربي، وهي مهمة للغاية بالنسبة للنادي وبالنسبة لنا. سنستعد خلال الأسبوع وسنبذل قصارى جهدنا للفوز”.
Leeds United take on West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Friday and Daniel Farke could spring a few surprises ahead of their trip to the Midlands to face Carlos Corberan's men.
West Brom vs Leeds team news
On Boxing Day, the Whites were on the end of a 2-1 defeat to Preston North End at Deepdale in a fiery Championship clash that was decided by a late Liam Miller wondergoal, which cancelled out an equaliser from the spot by Pascal Struijk.
Republic of Ireland international Alan Browne opened the scoring; however, the main talking point of proceedings was undoubtedly Whites goalkeeper Illan Meslier's red card for retaliation, after he appeared to shove Milutin Osmajic in the face, leading to Karl Darlow taking his place between the sticks for the remainder of the clash.
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Speaking in his post-match press conference, Leeds United boss Farke criticised Osmajic for his theatrics on the field, leading to his side being reduced to ten men and suffering a loss on the road, stating via BBC Sport: "It's disappointing because the second player really has nothing to do with it. He's come in and tried to provoke Illan then he goes and rolls around 10 times. Maybe the referee should sense what was really happening there. Maybe a yellow card would have been a fairer outcome."
Nevertheless, the Yorkshire giants will have little time to lick their wounds as they go to battle once again away to West Brom on Friday evening in another must-win clash if they are serious about realising their aspirations of promotion. Now, some intriguing news has become available regarding Farke's potential team selection heading into the fixture, as provided by various reports.
Darlow starts but Dallas not ready as Farke set to ring the changes…
Previewing the clash, The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has confirmed that Farke could make some surprise changes to his side at the Hawthorns, though one obvious alteration will present former Newcastle United goalkeeper Darlow with a rare start in light of Meslier's suspension.
Despite joining the Whites in the summer, the £30k-a-week ace has appeared just three times in all competitions and could now be offered an opportunity to begin on the field in the Championship for the first time since April, when he was on loan at Hull City.
Meanwhile, Stuart Dallas is still expected to be out for a period of time as he struggles to overcome a fractured femur, as injury specialist Dr Rajpal Brar explained to MOT Leeds News.
Brar stated: "If he’s returning to matches in January, then his training will be a gradual progression from individual to partial to full group training which is unlikely to happen this week. The extended absence and very serious nature of the injury make it even more paramount that his training progression is methodical. Having setbacks in his rehabilitation certainly has not helped."
While unclear exactly what Farke could change at the Hawthorns, Leeds need to win to keep pace with their rivals in the race for automatic promotion, so it will be intriguing to see just how bold the gaffer is after a disappointing performance and result.
Gary O’Neil will be pleased with the progress his Wolves side has made this season.
The Old Gold have shown a togetherness that allows them to play as a team rather than individuals, and that was on show against Brentford in the 1-1 FA Cup draw last weekend.
Despite being 11th in the Premier League, the Wanderers will look to strengthen their squad in January.
Wolves transfers latest – striker hunt at Molineux
According to The Athletic, Wolves are interested in signing Danny Ings on loan from West Ham.
The Wanderers have been keeping an eye on Ings’ situation, but talks are yet to begin between the clubs. As a result, we may have to wait until later in the winter window to see if things develop into a formal offer for the player.
Danny Ings
The deal is allegedly dependent on Michael Antonio’s recovery from injury, with the Irons forward reportedly out for the best part of six weeks.
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ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024 How Danny Ings compares to Raul Jimenez
Sasa Kalajdzic was the latest player signed in an attempt to replace the goals that Raul Jimenez brought in the 2019/20 Premier League season (17). However, the 6 foot 6 striker has just joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan after failing to secure a place in the starting XI. He joins a pretty wretched list of forward players who have simply failed to make the grade in the Midlands.
Goals scored by Wolves strikers since 2020/21
Player
Games played
Goals scored
Raul Jimenez
67
13
Patrick Cutrone
4
0
Fabio Silva
72
5
Willian Jose
18
1
Hwang-hee Chan
84
20
Sasa Kalajdzic
14
3
Matheus Cunha
41
8
Diego Costa
25
1
Overall total
325
51
Stats via Transfermarkt.
Therefore, Ings could be drafted in as a short-term fix to a long-term issue, who coincidentally is a similar player to Wolves icon Jimenez according to FBref’s similar players model.
The former Liverpool player has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but he has only missed one game since the start of 2021.
Despite being available, the 31-year-old has failed to nail down a spot in the starting XI at West Ham, with either Antonio or Jarrod Bowen being preferred in the number nine role, which has led to Ings playing just 108 minutes in the Premier League this season. Wolves, therefore, could offer him a valuable short-term exit.
West Ham striker Danny Ings.
The West Ham striker would bring experience and goals to the Wolves attack, as according to one football writer Ings is a “clinical finisher," and in fairness, the table below does prove that he knows how to put the ball in the back of the net, notably in the Premier League.
Ings: Recent Premier League
Season
Appearances
Goals
Assists
2022/23
35
8
2
2021/22
30
7
6
2020/21
29
12
4
2019/20
38
22
2
2018/19
24
7
3
Stats via Sofascore
Ings is the definition of a goal-scorer, but his technique and ball-striking ability are what make him so dangerous.
Indeed, if the striker gets half a chance, he will most likely bury it, which is needed when playing for a side like Wolves, who have created the 12th most big chances in the Premier League this season. This makes him like Jimenez, who has overperformed his xG this season for Fulham.
But just how do they compare specifically? Well, when it comes to how involved they are in the play, where they take their shots from, passing and carrying, there's not much to separate the pair.
Danny Ings vs Raul Jimenez: 2023/24
Stat (per 90)
Ings
Jimenez
Expected Goals (xG)
0.06
0.32
Average shot distance
14.1 yards
13.8 yards
Pass Success rate
63%
66%
Passes into penalty box
0.63
0.57
Touches
32
35
Successful take-ons
0.63
0.65
Carries
17.5
19.8
Stats via FBref.
Overall, the potential signing of Ings is by far from one that the Wolves faithful will be extremely excited about, but given the fact that Hwang Hee-chan will be their only available striker for the rest of the season (when he returns from the AFC Asian Cup), the move does seem smart.
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Even if he doesn’t feature heavily. This transfer has absolutely no risk attached, and therefore, there can only be an upside to the loan.
يبدو أن رافائيل لياو يواصل إثارة الجدل في إيطاليا، بعد ما فعله خلال مواجهة فريقه ميلان أمام لاتسيو بالجولة الثالثة من الدوري الإيطالي.
لياو لم يتواجد ضمن اللاعبين أثناء فترة استراحة شرب المياه في الشوط الثاني، وكان على الجانب الآخر من الملعب ولم ينضم للاستماع لتعليمات فونسيكا.
ذلك الأمر أثار الكثير من الجدل، مما أدى لانتقاده من قبل اللاعب السابق باولو دي كانيو.
طالع أيضًا.. تقارير: نادٍ تركي طوق نجاه لـ أوسيمين من جحيم نابولي
لياو قرر الرد على دي كانيو ولكن بطريقة مثيرة للجدل أكثر عبر موقع التواصل الاجتماعي X “تويتر سابقًا”.
رد رافائيل لياو بصورة اعتبرها “عارًا” على اللاعب أكثر من العار الذي اتهمه الإيطالي به بعد مباراة لاتسيو.
تلك الصورة، كانت لـ دي كانيو في ديربي روما، عندما قام بالتحية الفاشية (النازية)، وتم إيقافه وقتها لأن ذلك الأمر ممنوع في إيطاليا وعقوبته قد تصل للسجن.
…. pic.twitter.com/MFr6w77NNk — Rafael Leão (@RafaeLeao7) September 2, 2024
وفي حديث سابق لـ دي كانيو، علق على تلك الواقعة: “هذا كان أكثر موقف ندمت عليه في حياتي، أنا لم أكن عنصريًا أبدًا”.
دي كانيو كان حليفًا للتيار اليميني المتطرف في روما خلال فترة تواجده بنادي لاتسيو، وهو ما جعل لياو ينشر صورته وهو يقوم بالتحية الفاشية، دون التعليق عليها.
ذلك الأمر قد يؤدي لعقوبة لياو، اللاعب الذي شارك هذا الموسم مع ميلان في 3 مباريات، سجل خلالها هدفا وصنع آخر.
Além de torcer por uma derrota do Fortaleza diante do Fluminense, o Vasco precisa de algo que parece impossível: tirar um saldo de 12 gols para o Leão. Com o sonho quase impossível, o assunto entrou nos trending topics do Twitter nesta quinta-feira com mensagens dos dois lados: vascaínos sonhando com o improvável e adversários tirando sarro da situação.
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Caso o Tricolor carioca vença o cearense por 1 a 0, o Vasco teria que marcar 11 gols e não sofrer nenhum. Porém, dentro do histórico do futebol brasileiro e do próprio Cruz-Maltino, parece improvável que isso aconteça. Inclusive, o clube já pensa na próxima temporada e dispensou o treinador Vanderlei Luxemburgo.
– Hoje era só um 12×0 pra eu ficar feliz – disse um torcedor vascaíno.
-Futebol é tão mágico, que tem torcedor do Vasco realmente sonhando com o 12×0. Ele diz pra todo mundo que não tá, mas sozinho ele pensa: “Se fizer 6 no primeiro tempo, dá – brincou um internauta.
Veja alguns dos principaistuites
Hoje era só um 12×0 pra eu ficar feliz
— João P. Santiago (@jou_santiago) February 25, 2021
se o vasco meter 12×0 hj eu pago um lanche para todos os meus amigos
— Igor Lisboa (@igorlisboa07) February 25, 2021
Futebol é tão mágico, que tem torcedor do Vasco realmente sonhando com o 12×0. Ele diz pra todo mundo que não tá, mas sozinho ele pensa: "Se fizer 6 no primeiro tempo, dá."
— El Chapo (@pauloaraujotwt) February 25, 2021
Botei no bolao 12X0 vasco, hoje eu fico rico 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— VT (@Vettee12) February 25, 2021
Hoje tem o Tri Rebaixado em Campo kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk 12×0 Hoje🤭🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/ifavDIbSE0
— Gᴜɪʟʜᴇʀᴍᴇ ᴄʀғ (@Guilher90406116) February 25, 2021
Vasco precisando ganhar de 12×0 hoje e eu to como…. pic.twitter.com/kNNZLKNLdc
Quinton de Kock’s attractive 60 went in vain as Kings XI paced their chase to perfection under the lights
The Report by Sreshth Shah30-Mar-2019Kings XI Punjab 177 for 2 (Rahul 71*, Mayank 43, Gayle 40) beat Mumbai Indians 176 for 7 (de Kock 60, M Ashwin 2-25) by eight wicketsKings XI Punjab rode on the back of M Ashwin’s legbreaks and googlies, and then delivered a combined performance from their batsmen to win their fourth straight game in Mohali. In what was a bold move to bowl first on a day game, the hosts recovered from a difficult position to restrict Mumbai Indians to 176. After that they paced their innings to near perfection.KL Rahul overcame a difficult period of batting to collect his maiden fifty of the season, while Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal chipped in with crucial forties. No. 4 David Miller was unbeaten on 15.Earlier in the day, Mumbai rode on Quinton de Kock’s attractive 60 to post 91 in their first ten overs. But their batsmen failed to capitalise on the base provided by the Mumbai top order, and finished with an under-par score.The win was Kings XI’s second in three games, while Mumbai suffered their second loss in three matches.KL Rahul taps one to the leg side•BCCI
Ash-twins apply the brakeM Ashwin – in for the injured Varun Chakravarthy – and R Ashwin went for a combined economy of only 6.38. Murugan’s wrong’uns dismissed Suryakumar Yadav (11) and Yuvraj Singh (18). Both times, Mumbai were pegged right when they were changing gears.Earlier, at 62 for 1 after six overs, Mumbai were in a solid position to consolidate on de Kock and Rohit Sharma’s start, but the quick wickets of Rohit and Suryakumar forced Mumbai to check their scoring against spin.The tight work done by the Ashwins though was slightly undone by their pacers , who went for over 10 per over. They bore the brunt in the Powerplay, and then failed to stop the boundaries in the middle and back end too. Mohammad Shami, in particular, was targeted by de Kock.De Kock delights despite DRS clumsinessDe Kock found himself in the middle of two poor DRS calls (or non-calls). The first was in the sixth over, when he did not ask captain Rohit to go for a DRS review, moments after reaching his 1000th IPL run.Hardus Viljoen’s inswinger had struck Rohit on middle-and-leg stump. The umpire raised his finger. Rohit then asked de Kock whether he should review, but chose to walk after not getting the nod. Replays showed that the in-form Rohit would’ve been not-out.De Kock then looked to make amends for Rohit’s dismissal. In the tenth over, he struck the game’s first six, hoicking a short ball and followed it up with another six off Shami in the 13th.On 60, de Kock was caught lbw trying to shuffle across the stumps. However, he felt that he could be not out, and this time, asked for the DRS. The TV replay showed that the ball was crashing into off stump, and Mumbai lost their only review. De Kock, though, had done enough to ensure Mumbai’s run-rate was nearly 10 with seven overs to go.The batsmen who followed, however, failed to capitalise on that. Barring Hardik Pandya – whose 19-ball 31 lifted Mumbai to 176 – the other allrounders fared poorly. Kieron Pollard and Krunal Pandya fell for less than 10 and Mumbai were a dozen runs short.Gayle goes boom-boom, Rahul not so muchGayle began Kings XI’s chase slowly. The first two overs saw just one boundary. Rahul, too, tentatively saw off the opening overs.However, by the time the third over started, Gayle had blocked enough. He struck consecutive sixes – one off a short ball that Gayle now expects in the Powerplay – and off a pitched-up cutter that easily cleared long-off. Rahul then spoilt Jasprit Bumrah’s first over with a cut. After six overs, Kings XI made only 38 but importantly lost no wickets.The duo then extracted 14 runs off the seventh. It looked like Gayle’s carnage would continue, but on 40, he skied an attempted loft off Krunal to long on. At that stage, Rahul had a strike-rate of 60 after 20 deliveries.Childhood friends consolidate for Kings XIWith Rahul not middling the ball, his Karnataka team-mate MayankAgarwal took on the bowlers. He made 43 in 21 deliveries as they added 60 for the second wicket.Agarwal used his feet to the spinners, hitting them for whipped sixes over long-off. He single-handedly ensured that the required run-rate did not breach 10. Agarwal, however, perished trying to play another shot over Krunal’s head, instead striking the ball straight to the bowler.Rahul had struck just a single boundary in his first 37 balls, then picked up the baton after Agarwal fell. With Kings XI needing 56 off the final six, he began the 14th with a ramped six over the keeper. In David Miller’s company, Rahul finally went aggressive.Rahul wins the hare-and-tortoise raceIt was Rahul’s 40th delivery when he finally went past a strike-rate of 100. A cover drive took Rahul into the forties as his confidence began to grow. When the teams took a time-out with 30 deliveries to go, Kings XI needed only 37.Rahul – now the lynchpin in this chase – then pulled Malinga over fine leg to reach his first half-century of the season. That came in the 16th over, and the required run-rate had dropped to nearly six.When Bumrah turned up to bowl the 17th, Rahul delivered a knockout punch with consecutive boundaries to bring the equation down to 15 in 20 balls. Soon after, Rahul and Miller brought up their fifty-run stand in 30 deliveries. Next over, Rahul hit the winning runs.
استفاد فريق برشلونة، بقيادة المدرب هانز فليك، من طرد اللاعب روبين لو نورماند في مباراة منتخب إسبانيا الجارية حاليًا ضد نظيره منتخب سويسرا.
ويلتقي المنتخبان في إطار منافسات الجولة الثانية من بطولة دوري الأمم الأوروبية.
واضطر منتخب إسبانيا إلى اللعب بـ10 لاعبين فقط، منذ الدقيقة 20، نتيجة حصول اللاعب روبين لو نورماند على بطاقة حمراء.
وقرر المدرب لويس دي لا فوينتي إجراء تبديل في الدقيقة 28، بناءً على هذا الطرد، حيث دفع باللاعب دانييل فيفيان لتعويض لو نورماند في مركز الدفاع، في حين خرج بيدري.
اقرأ أيضًا.. ليفاندوفسكي يعرض مساعدة مالية على برشلونة
وتنفس برشلونة الصعداء بعد خروج بيدري وعدم استكماله المباراة، خشية التعرض لأي إصابة قد تؤثر على مشواره مع الفريق الكتالوني، خاصة وأن اللاعب اعتاد كثرة الإصابات في الأشهر الماضية.
ويستعد برشلونة لاستئناف مشواره في موسم الدوري الإسباني بمواجهة جيرونا، يوم الأحد المقبل، في الجولة الخامسة قبل مباراة موناكو يوم الخميس في الجولة الأولى من دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ويحتل برشلونة حاليًا صدارة الدوري الإسباني برصيد 12 نقطة، بعدما حقق العلامة الكاملة في 4 مباريات.
Sydney Sixers are shaping as favourites to secure AB de Villiers for next season amid interest from all the BBL teams
Daniel Brettig and Mel Farrell29-Apr-2019
AB de Villiers hits one over the covers•BCCI
Sydney Sixers are firming as the likely Big Bash League destination for AB de Villiers, as part of a package deal with Cricket Australia and broadcasters that may be worth more than AUD350,000 for a stint at the back end of next summer’s tournament.CA and broadcasters both confirmed to BBL clubs that they would offer financial assistance to help secure de Villiers’ signature ahead of a season where the men’s ODI team will be absent from Australia during a chunk of January – CA’s contribution understood to be up to $50,000 in return for marketing services. The Sixers appear to have the inside running for reasons over and above than the playing, marketing and broadcasting deal they are able to piece together for the South African and his management.Most BBL clubs are believed to have been interested in signing de Villiers up – Adelaide Strikers would have had he been available for the whole season – and submitted offers last week, with Sydney Thunder’s proposal strengthened by the salary cap room afforded to them by the retirement of Shane Watson, who will restrict himself to shorter overseas T20 jaunts rather than the longer and more demanding BBL schedule.However, the Sixers have a couple of advantages not able to be found elsewhere. Not only will de Villiers have a friend and former team-mate on hand in Morne Morkel, who will be spending six months of the year in Sydney with his family, he will be able to play home games at the SCG, the venue of his memorable 162 from 66 balls for South Africa against the West Indies at the 2015 World Cup.”We would be absolutely delighted to have AB join the Sixers and have made an offer for this summer,” Sixers general manager Jodie Hawkins told ESPNcricinfo. “We understand there are a number of BBL clubs wanting to welcome AB, but we believe we offer him a great option to experience the Big Bash, living in Sydney by the beach, playing at one of his favourite grounds, the SCG, and just enjoying what Sydney offers in summer, that’s a pretty good proposition. He’d also be great working with some of our young stars like Josh Philippe, and meeting our incredible fans.”Ad hoc high profile signings with financial assistance from CA and broadcasters such as Fox Sports have been a part of the BBL’s history, most notably Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen with Melbourne Stars, and the news that the Australian ODI team would be pressed to honour a pre-existing commitment to tour India next January has helped add impetus to the push to secure de Villiers for at least part of the next competition.But the creation of a more equitable marquee system for high profile international names remains strongly desired by numerous clubs, while others within the Australian system would prefer an auction for overseas players. The Australian Cricketers Association has blocked attempts by CA to add one more overseas place to BBL playing lists for next summer, arguing that the length of the tournament is a greater barrier to the world’s best players taking part rather than the money or squad positions available.Andrew McDonald, coach of the tournament-winning Melbourne Renegades, told ESPNcricinfo earlier this year that the BBL’s credibility demanded a more even system for high profile overseas players. “I think the only way you could do that is to have a marquee [fund],” McDonald said in February. “[CA] is talking to us. Everyone is talking essentially. Our CEO is talking to us as coaches, that’s going back up to Cricket Australia.”We’ve identified that there is a problem or a potential problem, if we don’t get it right going forward. I think the only way to do it is if we have eight marquee spots available, get 16 players from around the world to nominate, and then you have a marquee draft. Just have a lottery draft. Pull the Melbourne Stars out of the hat first, whoever out of the hat second and they pick eight marquee players, and those marquee players have to sign up for the entirety of the tournament.”The Stars and Melbourne Renegades are among other clubs believed to be heavily interested in de Villiers, but there is also a parallel competition to secure Andre Russell, whose star has shone evermore brightly in this year’s IPL, resulting in his recall to the West Indies ODI team for the World Cup in England later this year.Other BBL recruiting moves are afoot, with Fawad Ahmed set to join the Perth Scorchers to form a spin bowling tandem with Ashton Agar, and the West Australian paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile likely to be unveiled by the Melbourne Stars among their signings for 2019-20.