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Another potential overlap could be South Africa travelling to Pakistan for an ODI series as prep for the 2025 Champions Trophy, pencilled in for mid-February

ESPNcricinfo staff10-May-2024The third edition of the ILT20 is set to be on a collision course with the BBL and potentially the SA20 in 2025. As per the fixtures of the ILT20, a six-team franchise-based competition in the UAE, announced on Friday, the tournament is set to run from January 11 to February 9 in 2025.While the dates for both BBL and SA20 haven’t been announced, ESPNcricinfo understands the former is set to run until January 26 while the latter will start soon after the New Year’s Test against Pakistan ends in Cape Town on January 7. Another potential overlap could be South Africa travelling to Pakistan for an ODI series as preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy, pencilled in for mid-February, also in Pakistan.Adding to the complexities of the ILT20 is also a possible clash with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), although the ILT20 has been a far more lucrative proposition for top players. These clashes with other leagues have meant a high turnover in players throughout the ILT20, with teams making signings for exclusive windows, even as players jet in and jet out from one competition to another.Related

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The BBL suffered a mass exodus of overseas players for the finals series last season when the ILT20 started on January 19 but a few overseas players were at least able to play most of the regular season before leaving for the UAE. That will not be the case next summer for those who are contracted to the ILT20.The BBL was hoping to offset any potential clashes with overseas leagues by having Australia’s home-grown Test stars available to play after the Sydney Test against India finishes on January 7. But Australia has a two-Test tour of Sri Lanka scheduled for late January to early February and it understood that the Test players might only be available for three BBL games, if at all, depending on who needs a rest after five Tests against India in seven weeks.Speaking to ESPNcricnfo recently, David White, the CEO of ILT20, had admitted the January-Feburary 2025 was a crowded window with the “added complications” of the Champions Trophy. White had said the ILT20 would look at all options including moving the window to the October-November period subject to ICC’s FTP which comprised bilateral engagements.Eventually the ILT20, which received List A status from ICC prior to the 2024 season, has decided to stick to the same window the tournament has been played over the last two years.”Having considered all aspects, the January-February window for Season 3 has turned out to be the most suitable,” White said in a media release on Friday.Last week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a radical move to push PSL to an April-May window, in an effort to avoid an increasingly crowded December-February window including hosting the eight-team Champions Trophy. In case the PSL does move to April-May window, it could have a positive impact on ILT20. In 2024 the PCB had allowed top Pakistan players to feature in the ILT20, which White said “spiked’ crowd attendances at the three venues in the UAE.

Alisha Lehmann has confirmed that she is leaving Juventus after one title-winning season, with Douglas Luiz reacting to her emotional statement.

Moved to Italy alongside Luiz in 2024Savoured Serie A title glory in TurinReady to embrace another new challengeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Switzerland international, who recently represented her country at a home European Championship, moved to Italy in the summer of 2024. She bid farewell to the WSL at that point, having represented the likes of West Ham and Aston Villa.

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Lehmann headed to Turin alongside partner Luiz, but the pair have since split up. They are now going their separate ways, with more transfers being lined up. Lehmann is severing ties with Serie A champions Juve in order to link up with Como.

WHAT LEHMANN SAID

She has said on Instagram: “I want to say thank you for this amazing year, especially to my teammates and the amazing fans. The hard work we have put in last season and won titles, a team that I will never forget.

“I didn’t just have teammates, we were a family and I made friends for life. To leave such an amazing club and people that are close to me, was a very difficult decision. This club, this team and those fans will always have a special place in my heart.”

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Brazil international Luiz ‘liked’ that post despite no longer being romantically tied to Lehmann. He could soon be on the move himself, with the ex-Villa midfielder seeing a return to the Premier League speculated on.

AC Milan have confirmed interest in Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund after he was dropped by manager Ruben Amorim for Sunday's clash with Arsenal.

Milan confirm interest in HojlundStriker dropped for Arsenal clashCould now be heading back to ItalyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Hojlund appears to be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford after the Red Devils splashed out to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. Amorim then dropped Hojlund for his team's Premier League opener against Arsenal, suggesting he will have to move if he wants regular minutes in the 2025-26 season.

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Serie A giants AC Milan have been linked with a move for Hojlund, with the striker's father reportedly claiming his son is now open to a move to San Siro. Hojlund shone previously in Serie A with Atalanta, and Milan sporting director Igli Tare has admitted the Rossoneri are keen on the Denmark international.

WHAT AC MILAN SAID

Tare told Mediaset: "Højlund is a good option for us. We are thinking about him, but in the transfer market, you never know what could happen."

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Amorim also spoke about Hojlund after Sunday's defeat at Arsenal. He told reporters: "He is our player — we have to make choices. We have players that have to stay helping the team from the outside. He has to fight for his place. We will see what's going to happen. Rasmus has the same characteristics as Sesko, so sometimes we need to choose."

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen has issued an apology for his furious outburst at a West Ham fan after his team's Carabao Cup defeat to Wolves. The Hammers threw away a lead to lose 3-2 in the second round tie, piling more misery on under pressure head coach Graham Potter.

West Ham collapse deepens early-season crisisBowen apologises after heated fan clashPotter calls for unity as pressure buildsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Bowen, visibly incensed as he and the squad walked over to acknowledge the travelling support, pointed into the crowd at one fan who appeared to be shouting in his direction, before attempting to climb over the advertising boards to confront him. He was dragged back by team-mates before the situation could escalate further. The winger then ripped off his captain’s armband, trudging down the tunnel with his head bowed.

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Hours later, the England international took to Instagram to express regret for his behaviour. “Apologies to the fans for tonight's reaction. I’m someone who is passionate and will fight every time I step on the pitch,” Bowen wrote. “But I need to set a better example. You fans know how much I love you and this club. We ride through he bad times together, and I'll see you all Sunday.”

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The defeat is the latest setback for West Ham boss Potter, who has now started the season with three successive losses. Prior to the Wolves clash, West Ham had suffered league defeats against Sunderland and Chelsea, leaking eight goals in the process. Supporters are restless, results have been dire, and the captain’s outburst has added fuel to the fire.

However, speaking post-match, Potter played down Bowen’s flare-up and called for unity.

"Our supporters have been fantastic," said Potter. "They are hurting because of the results we have had and Jarrod obviously cares about the club and the team. He gave everything again and it was just an exchange of views by people who care.

"The most important relationship at a club is between the fans and the team. We need our fans and everyone to stick together. The team is suffering at the moment. We are all hurting, I can assure you no-one is celebrating or happy about what we're doing. We're all in pain."

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The fixture list offers no respite. West Ham return to Premier League duty on Sunday against Nottingham Forest, a match that already feels pivotal despite the season being only weeks old. Another defeat would intensify the scrutiny on Potter and further strain the fragile relationship between the fans and players.

Fulham are in talks with AC Milan over a €25 million deal for Samuel Chukwueze, with the winger close to leaving Italy after just two seasons.

Fulham in advanced negotiations for ChukwuezeThe winger joined Milan in 2023London club tracking 26-year-old since JanuaryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , the Nigerian winger has been in contact with Fulham for weeks, and a move is now closer than ever. Chukwueze only joined Milan in the summer of 2023 from Villarreal. He is under contract until 2028, but has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter. The London club already tried to sign him in January, but Milan refused to sanction a loan with an option to buy.

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Milan’s shock 2-1 defeat to newly promoted Cremonese in their Serie A opener exposed the lack of attacking depth in Massimiliano Allegri’s side. The Rossoneri are desperate for reinforcements but need sales first to raise funds. Yunus Musah is also among the names linked with a possible exit, while Chukwueze is also among the likely outgoers. The Nigerian has made 70 appearances for Milan, scoring eight goals and providing six assists. 

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Chukwueze’s departure could also shape Milan’s midfield plans, with the club even looking at Marseille's ousted Adrien Rabiot. For now though, the main focus is on getting the Fulham deal over the line before the window shuts.

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Fulham are still pushing to bring Chukwueze into their attack, with talks ongoing with Milan. For the Rossoneri, offloading the Nigerian winger would free up cash to chase their targets, including Bologna midfielder Giovanni Fabbian, valued at €15m (£13m/$17.5m), as they try to bounce back from a rough start to the season.

Tillman bagged Leverkusen's second to mark his first start for his new club in style after leaving Dutch champions PSV

Malik Tillman scored midway through first halfClever volley from close range 2024 Bundesliga champions lead Werder BremenFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

USMNT star Malik Tillman began his Leverkusen career in style, scoring midway through the first half in his maiden start for Erik Ten Hag's side on Saturday. The attacking midfielder reacted first to a deflected cross, controlled, and poked home from close range to give his side a 2-0 lead over Werder Bremen. 

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Tillman was widely expected to make his debut last week, but a knock ruled him out of the matchday squad. However, he was deemed fit to play right from the first whistle Saturday afternoon. Tillman scored 12 goals and added two assists in the Eredivisie last year. 

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Tillman was a surprise omission from the USMNT squad for the upcoming September friendlies. After starring at the Gold Cup, it was largely expected that he would be given the opportunity to further impress Mauricio Pochettino. However, the Argentine manager left Tillman out, in part because of his return from injury. 

Interim coach Coley says ‘I know the players want to play for the West Indies and we want our best players to play for the West Indies’

Firdose Moonda11-Mar-2023West Indies will use the next year to map out a management plan for their red and white-ball players to ensure they enjoy a balance between international and franchise cricket. That was the parting shot interim coach Andre Coley offered at the end of a fairly tough three months of Test cricket for his team.West Indies played in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa and won one of their six Test matches on the road to finish the 2021-2023 World Test Championship in seventh spot. While the results are not exactly what Coley was after, he hopes these tours have laid the groundwork for West Indies to plan how to approach future Test series, while juggling player availability for T20 leagues.”There’s no doubt that playing international cricket helps to develop your level of the game,” Coley said. “White-ball [cricket] may be the big money-earner but if you really look at the players who are very good at both red and white balls, they would have had a good grounding in Test cricket. It’s important for us to find that balance. I know the players want to play for the West Indies and we want our best players to play for the West Indies, but the balance is important. It’s also their livelihood. If we can, over the next 12 months, plan out with the members of the different squads how we can best manage to keep everyone as fresh as possible, for international and for franchise cricket, we will have a good chance of being more competitive.”The situation is embodied by West Indies’ best player: Jason Holder. He became their second after Garry Sobers to take 150 wickets and score 2,500 Test runs, and has played in all six Tests this summer as well as the SA20. Holder is also in West Indies’ ODI and T20I squads to play South Africa and will then head to the IPL, where he was signed by Rajasthan Royals. From there, Holder will likely have to feature in the 50-over World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe – West Indies are currently eighth on the points table and could be usurped by South Africa or Sri Lanka in the next few weeks – before a home Test series against India to start the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle.Related

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With that schedule in mind, Holder, in particular, needs to be carefully managed. Despite being the squad’s premier allrounder, he is unlikely to bat higher than No. 8 because of his bowling loads.”Jason is always someone who gives his all. This morning, I knew he was on fumes,” Coley said. “He always raises his hand up and says, ‘Coach I am going to give everything today’. He continues to be a valuable member of our team because of the volume of bowling that he is required to do. So he ends up batting at No. 8 and has to have a heavy workload batting and bowling. I do believe Jason has a lot of value to add in all formats. He is in the three squads. It becomes important for us to manage him not only physically but mentally.”But Holder is one of those who has committed to Test cricket enough that he left the SA20 to play in Zimbabwe, and has reiterated his support for the format throughout this series. Holder questioned the Big Three’s dominance on the fixtures list but resigned himself to the lopsided schedule.South Africa are in a similar position, with no Tests scheduled until December. They are currently exploring the possibility of an ‘A’ team tour to the West Indies over the winter and, like West Indies, are trying to find a way to fit both international and league cricket into the players’ calendar.”I can say categorically and emphatically that the boys want to play Test cricket, every single one of them,” Shukri Conrad, South Africa’s Test coach, said. “We’ve just got to be very smart in the way we do things. We had our meetings with all these players and it’s come out that every single one of them wants to play more Test cricket. We have just got to manage them properly throughout the leagues.”

Real Madrid have officially announced the departure of Carlo Ancelotti as Los Blancos near a deal for Xabi Alonso to take over as head coach.

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Real Madrid announce Ancelotti's departureXabi Alonso set to take overTributes to be made for ItalianFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Real Madrid's disappointing season has seen them go trophyless despite pre-season predictions expecting Los Blancos to challenge for various honours. As such, club president Florentino Perez and top management knew there was a need for change on the touchline and Ancelotti's departure has been expected ever since their Champions League elimination to Arsenal last month.

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Real Madrid have now officially confirmed that Ancelotti will leave the club this weekend, but does so as the manager with the most titles in Los Blancos' history. The Italian led them to three Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey titles, and two Spanish Super Cups during his six seasons over his two stints.

WHAT PEREZ SAID

Speaking to club media, Real Madrid president Perez said: "Carlo Ancelotti is now forever part of the great Real Madrid family. We are proud to have enjoyed a coach who has helped us achieve so many successes and who has also represented the values of our club in an exemplary manner."

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The 15-time European champions are set to appoint Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso, who led Die Werkself to the 2023-24 Bundesliga title. The Spaniard has been chased by a number of sides since last season; however, he decided to stay with the German side. Reports have suggested that Alonso will soon be announced as Ancelotti's successor.

James Vince’s latest half-century leads way in Hampshire’s highest-ever chase

ECB Reporters Network23-Jun-2023James Vince proved Essex’s nemesis again as his seventh fifty of the competition underpinned defending champions Hampshire Hawks’ highest-ever Vitality Blast chase.Feroze Khushi and Dan Lawrence – who is Surrey-bound at the end of the season – had blitzed 127 for the first wicket, hitting 61 and 70 respectively, as Essex posted 209 for 7.Vince had struck a century in the reverse fixture at Chelmsford earlier in the season and smashed 76 before James Fuller’s 57 and Benny Howell’s 34 not out got Hawks over the line.It condemned Essex to their third straight defeat and put Hampshire level on 14 points with Eagles with the four-wicket victory, with a superior run-rate.Related

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Chasing 210, Ben McDermott was caught in the fourth over by Paul Walter – which gave him his 13th catch of the season, an Essex T20 record – with Toby Albert also falling in the powerplay. But Hampshire were still on top of the chase, with Vince timing the ball sweetly on his way to a 24-ball fifty.Joe Weatherley and Ross Whiteley came and went but James Fuller stuck with Vince to keep up with the rate in a 50-run stand. Vince’s attempt for a fourth six only picked out safe hands Walter at long off in an over which only went for five runs from Critchley.If that felt like a turning point, Fuller and Howell swung it back in Hawks’ favour with some outrageous hitting and a bit of luck – both were dropped during their time at the crease.Fuller’s fifty came off 27 balls and he celebrated with a huge six over long-on to take the equation to nine off eight balls, although was yorked next ball to end a 63-run stand off 31 balls. But Liam Dawson came in swatted a six first ball with the last three runs coming with four balls to spare.

Hawks: 23-0 (2)

Live Stream https://t.co/MqVOeWDc3J pic.twitter.com/XlxXAxExmn

— Hampshire Hawks (@hantscricket) June 23, 2023