The fast bowler was reportedly in possession of some heroin when arrested on Saturday
ESPNcricinfo staff26-May-2020Sri Lankan fast bowler Shehan Madushanka has been suspended from all forms of cricket with immediate effect for alleged possession of heroin. Sri Lanka Cricket made the announcement three days after he was arrested by the police and later put in remand custody.The drugs had allegedly been found in a car Madushanka had been travelling in, on Saturday. Police said a little over two grams had been discovered. He was arrested northeast of the city of Negombo, by Pannala police, and produced in front of a magistrate the following day. He is currently in remand until he is due to make a High Court appearance.According to an SLC statement on Tuesday, the decision to suspend will stand until the board conducts a full inquiry of the matter.The 25-year-old Madushanka has played one ODI and two T20Is, all between January and February 2018. Despite taking a lower-order hat-trick against Bangladesh in his only ODI, he had not been in the frame for national selection over the last 18 months, partly because his first stint in the team had been cut short by an injury.However, he has been active as a cricketer and was playing in Sri Lanka’s domestic competitions before the Covid-19 lockdown came into effect. Madushanka was not understood to be one of the wider national squad players expected to begin training in early June.As a country, Sri Lanka takes a dim view of hard drugs, and if convicted, Madushanka can expect a hefty suspension from SLC as well. He is not understood to have had serious disciplinary scrapes before this incident, however.
One of the most exciting projects in the Premier League at the moment is that of Wolves. Gary O’Neil’s side have been one of the surprise packages in the competition this season, having been tipped by many to get relegated at the start of the campaign.
However, they are currently in 12th, on 46 points, but are just three points behind ninth place West Ham United. In 36 matches so far this season, Wolves have won 13, drawn seven, and lost 16.
O’Neil has turned them into a very tricky side to come up against. At Molineux, they have won eight of their 18 matches, whilst away from home, they have won five times, according to Understat.
They also have some deadly players in transition, who O’Neil has certainly got the best out of. Namely, they are Hwang Hee-chan, who has 12 goals and three assists in the Premier League, Pedro Neto who has scored twice and has nine assists, and Matheus Cunha who has a superb 11 goals and seven assists in the top flight.
Pedro Neto
No doubt, Wolves are one of the deadliest sides in transition, with Cunha and Neto wonderful ball carriers and superb creators, whilst Hwang has superb instinct in the penalty area and is clinical in front of goal.
However, Wolves did previously have another excellent transitional player on their books, who they let go of last season.
Morgan Gibbs-White's season in numbers
The player in question here is Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. The 24-year-old joined Forest for £42.5m in the summer of 2022, and is a key player at the club, under former Steve Cooper and current manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
It is fair to say there is no love lost between Gibbs-White and the fans of his former side. In a Carabao Cup tie last season, he scored a penalty in a shootout which he celebrated by putting his fingers in his ears right in front of the Wolves fans. This season, he antagonised them further, by repeating his celebration and kissing the Forest badge.
Ironically, Gibbs-White could have been superb under O’Neil, had he stayed at Wolves last season. He has been Forest’s best player this season, having scored five goals and registering eight assists.
Not only that, he has created the most chances, with 15, averages the most key passes per 90 minutes, with two, and completes the third most dribbles per 90 minutes, with 1.2, as per Sofascore.
Goals & assists
13
=1st
Chances created per 90
15
1st
Key passes per 90
2
1st
Dribbles per 90
1.2
3rd
Stats from SofaScore
Gibbs-White’s superb carrying ability would have been excellent for Wolves in 2023/24, potentially slotting in perfectly into this current Wolves side, helping them move further up the table.
With that being said, he made his decision to leave in the summer of 2022, before O’Neil’s tenure. Whilst he would have been excellent under the Englishman, they may have someone else coming through into the first team who could be just as good as Gibbs-White.
Luke Cundle's season in numbers
Wolves midfielder Luke Cundle is currently on loan at Stoke City, as well as being at Plymouth Argyle in the first half of the season. He is an exciting academy product who could well break into Gary O’Neil’s first team next season.
He has five goals and seven assists in the Championship this season for both clubs and has certainly impressed on loan so far.
In one particular game for Stoke, a 4-0 victory over Bristol City, Cundle was given a 9/10 rating by Stoke On Trent Live journalist Peter Smith. He explained the Wolves man played with “energy, skill and commitment”, with his “one-touch play and movement” being “integral” to the way the Potters played.
Indeed, Cundle is a very creative force, this season averaging 1.88 key passes per 90 minutes, as per Fbref, which ranks him in the top 10%. This is just slightly less than Gibbs-White’s two key passes per 90 minutes.
Wolves youngster Luke Cundle.
The youngster is highly thought about, with his former manager Rusell Martin at Swansea, a club he was previously on loan at, explaining that he is “a player to be excited about, he is technically gifted, and intelligent."
There is no doubt that, in Cundle, Wolves have an exciting attacking midfielder coming through. He has already played four times in the Premier League, and after a successful 2023/24 season in the Championship – a division Gibbs-White thrived in prior to his Forest move with 12 goals and ten assists for Sheffield United – he could well get another shot in the top flight next season.
Wolves made a bigger mistake than Gibbs-White by selling "incredible" star
Wolves made a big mistake selling a player last summer…
Manchester City star Erling Haaland continued his prolific start to the new season by breaking a Premier League record with a goal against Brentford.
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Haaland scored ninth goal of the seasonHas most goals after four games in PL historyBreaks record held by Man Utd hero RooneyWHAT HAPPENED?
Haaland scored twice for City in the first half of their game against Brentford to continue his blistering start to the new season. The Norwegian scored two goals in quick succession to give City a 2-1 lead going into half-time after they had conceded inside 22 seconds. The goals proved additionally poignant for Haaland after he dealt with the death of a close friend in midweek.
AdvertisementGetty THE BIGGER PICTURE
Haaland has scored all but two of City's Premier League goals this season as Pep Guardiola's side look to continue their perfect start to the new season. Rooney, meanwhile scored 27 times in the 2011-12 season when he set the previous record, which was his most prolific campaign of his career.
DID YOU KNOW?
This is Haaland's strongest start to any of his three seasons at City as he needed nine Premier League games to score his ninth goal last year. In his debut campaign, Haaland took just five games to get his ninth goal but he has achieved the feat at a faster rate this time around. The 24-year-old has now netted more Premier League goals than Eric Cantona and Luis Suarez, with his 71st strike coming in his 70th appearance.
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Getty WHAT NEXT FOR HAALAND AND MAN CITY?
City will be hoping Haaland can carry his Premier League form into their match against Inter in the Champions League next week. Guardiola's men will then face a potential early title clash with Arsenal next week, with the Gunners desperate to keep Haaland quiet despite a number of injuries to some key players.
Ness Wadia also hoped BCCI would look at compensating franchises if IPL 2020 was played in front of empty stands
ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jul-2020Ness Wadia, one of the co-owners of Kings XI Punjab, wants daily covid testing for players and support staff in the UAE, where IPL 2020 will be played between September 19 and November 10.”I would want as much testing as possible and preferably daily,” Wadia told . “If I was a cricketer, I would be very happy in getting myself tested everyday. There is no harm in it.””Strict safety protocols have to be put in place both for off-field and on-field activities to make the IPL safe and successful. They should not be compromised at all.”Currently, to travel to UAE, a passenger needs to test negative before flying and take another test upon landing, with entry permitted without a quarantine period should both tests return negative. A quarantine period is mandatory only for those landing in the country without prior testing.The logistical aspect of managing eight teams, three venues and their travel to the grounds and training facilities from their hotels poses a complex challenge in providing a bio-secure bubble, which Wadia hoped wouldn’t be compromised.”Bio-security is something that should be very seriously considered but don’t know if it can be implemented in an eight-team tournament,” Wadia said. “We are waiting for the SOPs from the BCCI.”UAE also has a very high testing rate (472,575 per million) and they have all the technology at their disposal. The BCCI will need the help of the local government in ensuring adequate testing is done.”The UAE has been host to part of the IPL, with 20 matches taking place in the country at the start of the 2014 season, due to India’s general elections taking place at the time.Wadia also hoped that the BCCI would compensate all teams suitably if the tournament is played in front of empty stands. Currently, teams earn a portion of their revenue from gate receipts.”The IPL will bring much needed optimism to the pessimism we live in today. Credit to the BCCI to have a found a window in the current scenario,” he said. “I do hope that the BCCI will look at compensating all teams (in case there is no gate money involved).”
Rangers must look to complete the signing of an "instinctive" finisher who would be a huge upgrade on their current striker options, according to player turned pundit Michael Stewart.
Rangers transfer news
Philippe Clement's still have a Scottish Cup final clash with Celtic to look forward to this season, as they look to add that trophy to their Scottish League Cup triumph earlier in the campaign.
Once that game is finished, attention will primarily turn to the transfer market, as Rangers look to get some important and influential business over the line this summer to close the gap on their rivals in the league.
Abdallah Sima
Abdallah Sima is only on loan at Ibrox currently, doing an impressive job since arriving from Premier League side Brighton, and the Gers will surely look to bring him in on a permanent basis before the start of next season.
Fabio Silva is in a similar situation, but he hasn't enjoyed as big of an impact for the Scottish Premiership giants, and a recent update has suggested he will be recalled by Wolves and then sold on to a new club.
Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron is also believed to be a transfer target for Rangers, as they lock horns with Celtic for his signature. At 21, the youngster is still a maturing player, but one with a high ceiling, being lauded as a "brave" footballer by Jim Goodwin.
Rangers urged to sign "instinctive" ace
Speaking on BBC Sportsround [via Ibrox News], Stewart said Rangers should sign Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland this summer, following an outstanding season: "If I was Celtic, I probably wouldn’t go for Shankland. But across the city at Rangers, it’s just a no-brainer. He would play, he’s far better than Dessers, and he would be on top fitness and sharpness."
Hearts attacker Lawrence Shankland.
The £3,000-a-week Shankland has been linked with a move to Rangers a number of times this season, with talk of a move happening in the January transfer window at one point, before it failed to go through.
He should be viewed as a primary target in the coming weeks and months, having topped the Scottish Premiership scoring charts this season, netting 24 goals and sitting six clear of second-placed Matt O'Riley. The fact that he supported the Gers as a boy only adds to the likelihood of him coming in, and Neil McCann's tip for the Scotland squad sums up his brilliance.
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At 28, Shankland is a great point in his career to join Rangers and score goals from the off, potentially enjoying three or four years there in his prime. As Stewart alludes to, it is a no-brainer for them to strike a deal, and the move would surely appeal to him.
The Bravo brothers’ contribution meant Mohammad Nabi’s all-round show went in vain
The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Aug-2020Either side of the rain, which cut St Lucia Zouks’ innings to 17.1 overs and left the Trinbago Knight Riders only nine overs to bat, the Bravo brothers took the match by its collar and ensured a comfortable Knight Riders victory.Dwayne Bravo took his 500th T20 wicket en route to extraordinary figures of 2 for 7 off three overs, before Darren Bravo hit 23 not out off 13 balls to help the Knight Riders to their target of 72 off nine overs, with a full over to spare. The victory maintains the Knight Riders’ four-match winning streak, while handing the second-placed Zouks their second loss in five games.Dwayne Bravo ploughs through a milestoneNo other bowler has got even 400 T20 wickets, and yet here was Dwayne Bravo taking his 500th. Easily one of the top five cricketers in this format, he set the tone for this game with his opening spell, from which the Zouks never recovered. Dwayne claimed two wickets – having Rahkeem Cornwall caught, before bowling Roston Chase. But almost more importantly, he also only conceded five runs from those two overs, delivering seven dot balls – including the two wickets – and conceding only singles from the remaining deliveries. Dwayne returned for a third over, and was arguably even better at the death. He conceded only two singles in the 17th over.Darren Bravo propels Knight Riders across the lineAlthough 72 from nine overs seemed initially like a cakewalk, the Zouks did muster some sort of fight with the ball, taking the first four wickets off the first 3.3 overs of the innings to leave the Knight Riders at 34 for 4. Darren Bravo would ensure Dwayne’s work with the ball would not be for nothing, though, hitting two sixes to drive the Knight Riders home. The first of those was his 100th CPL six – one of those shots launched so far that it landed on the stadium roof and a new ball had to be called for.Nabi’s all-round showThe Zouks seemed to be in arrears for the majority of this match, but the man who was most relentlessly dragging them towards parity was Mohammad Nabi. He hit 30 not out off 22, and later claimed the wicket of Lendl Simmons with the second ball of the Knight Riders’ innings. He would go on to concede a six and a four to Colin Munro later in that over, and would finish with figures of 1 for 15 from two overs. Without Nabi, Zouks’ loss would have been even more stark, however.
Whilst the players have extended their season in Australia, those off the pitch have turned their focus towards the transfer window at Newcastle United, joining the race to sign a Bundesliga youngster.
Newcastle transfer news
You'd be forgiven for thinking that Newcastle were still fully focused on their work on the pitch, having ended the Premier League season before controversially jetting off to play two games in Australia, despite the fixture congestion in England. But whilst the headlines centre around those games, the Magpies have begun making moves ahead of the summer window.
Among those moves includes reported deals to sign both Lloyd Kelly and Tosin Adarabioyo upon the expiration of their respective contracts at Bournemouth and Fulham. The two defenders look increasingly destined to seal moves to St James' Park, which would finally bring Eddie Howe's defensive depth struggles to an end.
Meanwhile, with Miguel Almiron's future still in doubt, the Magpies have reportedly joined the race to sign a Bundesliga gem this summer. According to Bild, Newcastle are eyeing a move to sign Brajan Gruda from Mainz 05 in a deal that would be worth €20m (£17m) in the coming months.
They're not alone in the race, however, with Bayer Leverkusen reportedly willing to meet Mainz's asking price and Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa also eyeing moves to sign the right-winger this summer. At 19 years old, Gruda's certainly done well to earn such headlines.
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ByEthan Lamb May 24, 2024
If Almiron does depart this summer, then a player of Gruda's potential would make perfect sense for Howe and his side, who could have the opportunity to hand such players minutes if they qualify for the Europa Conference League ahead of next season.
"Superb" Gruda is already better than Almiron
Barring an outstanding 22/23 campaign, it would arguably be fair to say that Almiron never truly reached his potential at Newcastle and will be bowing out with a whimper more than anything else if he leaves this summer. In his place, Newcastle should step up their chase to land an eventual upgrade in Gruda, who was described as "superb" by Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig this season.
The numbers suggest that now would be an ideal time to sign the teenager too, whose valuation will only go up as he likely gets better and better in the Bundesliga. For £17m, Newcastle would be getting a bargain deal this summer.
Starts
19
23
Goals
4
3
Assists
3
1
Take-ons Completed
69
23
Everything is pointing towards a player that Newcastle should be pursuing this summer, perhaps whether Almiron departs or even stays put in the next few months.
The veteran striker is in form in the Premier League yet no one seems to be talking about him for Mexico … why?
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Raul Jimenez has played more than 100 matches for the Mexico national team, scoring numerous crucial goals for El Tri. So why does it seem like he has been overlooked by manager Javier Aguirre, the national team directors, and even the passionate fan base?
Here's the case for Jimenez.
Back to his best?
In the last two weeks, Jimenez has provided an emphatic reminder of what he can do when he's healthy and confident.
The 33-year-old started a mini-hot streak for Fulham, scoring a well-executed goal against Newcastle United, in which he sprayed a pass to winger Adama Traore and then got into the box to receive a cross from his teammate. Jimenez chested down Traore’s cross, turned, and fired in the opening goal of the Cottagers’ 3-1 win on Sept. 21. That followed a performance in which he had shown his quick feet and finished off the club’s only goal in a 1-1 draw with West Ham United on Sept. 14.
When Jimenez is at his best, he can lead the line, combine with other attacking players, and, most importantly score.
Mexico doesn’t have anyone like Jimenez in its player pool. The question of where the next great Mexican forward comes from has been kicking around since Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, the country’s all-time leading scorer, and Jimenez both started struggling with injuries. Chicharito is still battling injuries, missing this weekend’s trip to Cruz Azul with current club Chivas.
But Jimenez is starting each week for a Premier League side. Out of Aguirre’s options, that’s something only West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez and Bournemouth fullback Julian Araujo can say.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesJimenez's experience vs. Gimenez's potential
Even if Jimenez were having trouble finding the back of the net, the fact he is playing regularly in arguably the world's top soccer is reason enough to bring him back into the national team squad. Just eight of the 26 players Aguirre called in for September’s friendly matches play for clubs outside of Mexico. Just three play in Europe’s top five leagues and none of that trio is an attacker.
The fate of Mexico’s front line has been left to Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez. The former Cruz Azul product is a bright prospect, but El Tri fans are still waiting for the moment when Santi takes over in a national team shirt. It has been over a year since his last Mexico goal, and overall he has just four goals in 32 international matches. That sits in sharp contrast to the 23 goals in 30 games he scored for his club in the 2023-24 Eredivisie season.
Gimenez also left Feyenoord’s match Sunday with a foot injury. No timetable has been announced for his return, but already it should be clear that Mexico’s plan can’t solely rely on what Gimenez can potentially bring to Eli Tri.
There’s no guarantee Jimenez would be able to replicate his Fulham form with Mexico either, and certainly no guarantee this good moment will last for Jimenez. No one knows that better than he does.
AFPOvercoming tragedy
In late November 2020, while playing with Wolves, Jimenez fractured his skull in a clash with Arsenal's David Luiz. A year after the incident, Wolves released a documentary called “Code Red” which outlines the story of how Jimenez was lucky to be alive, much less playing soccer again.
Before the injury, Jimenez was in the midst of a breakout spell with Wolves – scoring 27 goals in all competitions during the 2019-20 season. It was understandable that he wasn’t the same player as he worked back from that frightening moment. He scored six goals in 2021-22, remarkable given the circumstances but far from where he was at previously.
A move to Fulham last season looked to help him find rhythm again with seven goals in 24 league appearances. Yet, a thigh issue kept him out of the Concacaf Nations League Final Four contests, and after being left off the Copa América roster by Jaime Lozano and the September list by Aguirre, Jimenez is yet to appear for Mexico in 2024.
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Getty ImagesRequired addition
Jimenez's lack of appearances for needs to change in October when Mexico faces Valencia and the United States in a pair of exhibition matches. His inclusion is also crucial for November when Mexico competes in two Nations League quarterfinals with a spot in the Final Four at stake.
Jimenez will be 36 by the time the 2026 World Cup kicks off but could still be in the Premier League at that time. The contract he signed with Fulham in 2023 is through the summer of 2025 with a club option to extend the deal, one they surely would pick up if he can keep his place in the XI.
Mexico would do well to remember it has a veteran scorer in a top league who may be their best forward option in the present and the future.
Celtic head into the upcoming summer transfer window knowing that they will need to dip into the market to land a new long-term number one at Parkhead.
Veteran goalkeeper Joe Hart departed the club last month and retired from professional football after an excellent three-year stint with the Hoops in Glasgow.
He won the Scottish Premiership title in all three of his seasons with the club and won the domestic double, of the title and the SFA Cup, in his final campaign at Paradise.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans.
Brendan Rodgers must now bring in a replacement for the former Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur titan and is reportedly eyeing up a multi-million pound signing to start the window perfectly.
Celtic's interest in £4m+ star
Football Scotland recently reported that the Scottish giants have been in talks with Czech side Sparta Prague over a deal to sign goalkeeper Peter Vindahl Jensen this summer.
The outlet claimed that the Danish shot-stopper is at the top of their shortlist of candidates to come in and replace Hart between the sticks at Parkhead.
Joe Hart
It also stated, however, that Sparta do not want to lose their goalkeeper, who just signed on a permanent deal from AZ Alkmaar after a loan spell this season.
Football Scotland reported that the 'feeling' is that they are set to demand a fee in excess of £4m, but it remains to be seen how much Celtic are prepared to pay for him.
The article added that Jensen is known for being good with his feet and likes to throw the ball out quickly to start attacks, which means that he would suit the way that Rodgers wants his goalkeepers to play.
Former Premiership goalkeeper Tomas Cerny backed that up by telling the Celtic Way that the Sparta star's style "suits" the Northern Irish head coach.
Why Peter Jensen would be a perfect start to the window
Rodgers could start the transfer window, which opens later this month, perfectly by securing a deal to sign Jensen from Sparta over the coming weeks.
Firstly, the 26-year-old colossus seemingly suits the way that the manager wants to play, according to Football Scotland and Cerny, which means that there should not be any issues with his performances in possession.
Jensen could also be a perfect signing to open up a summer of incoming business due to his potential to be an upgrade on Hart for the Scottish giants.
Appearances
33
37
Sofascore rating
7.12
6.85
Save success rate
76%
68%
Run-out success rate
100%
85%
Duel success rate
81%
77%
As you can see in the table above, the Danish titan outperformed the former England international in a number of key goalkeeping metrics at league level this term.
He saved a far higher percentage of the shots on his goal and was significantly more efficient in his sweeping and duel actions to prevent opposition players from getting more efforts away.
Celtic keen on swoop for £10m-rated "warrior" who'd be perfect for Maeda
The Hoops target is reportedly desperate to make a move back to Parkhead this summer.
ByDan Emery Jun 9, 2024
Therefore, Jensen, who is also 11 years younger than Hart, could be a phenomenal signing and upgrade for Celtic who could be their number one for many, many, more years to come, which is why Rodgers could start the window perfectly with a £4m+ deal for him.
Billings aware he is keeping spot warm for Ben Stokes but keen to press case in T20Is, Tests
George Dobell12-Sep-2020Life as an understudy isn’t easy.Consider the example of Jimmie Nicol. Nicol, it might be remembered, was a Beatle for about 10 days in 1964. With Ringo Starr suffering from tonsillitis, Nicol, an accomplished session drummer, was drafted in to ensure the band fulfilled a raft of touring commitments. By all accounts he acquitted himself very well, too.But it was never going to make any difference. After eight shows, a revitalised Starr returned. Nicol faded into the background with only an inscribed gold watch to convince sceptics in the pub of the days when he was fab.ALSO READ: Opposing gameplans collide as England seek lessons in defeatTime will tell whether the same thing happens with Sam Billings. Billings batted beautifully for a while on Friday night. He not only recorded his maiden international century but, for a while, took apart Pat Cummins – the world’s No. 1 ranked Test bowler at present – in thrashing him for 39 from just 22 balls.And while England fell 19 runs short, the sense remained that, had a couple of the other batsmen been able to stay with Billings just a little longer, he might have pulled off something really quite incredible. He, at least, believes he had Australia rattled at one point.There were moments in Billings innings it seemed an uneven contest. At one end, Jonny Bairstow was being beaten like a snare drum; at the other Billings had 11 from 32 balls. “They reminded me I was 11 off 32 pretty consistently,” he said of Australia’s fielders. England were light years behind on the comparative run rate.”At that point in time we had zero chance,” Billings said. “I felt terrible as well. I wasn’t fluent at all. But then you look at the other end and Jonny is struggling as well and he’s one of the most fluent openers in world cricket. No one really got going.”But you could see Australia’s mindset definitely change when we started to get that partnership going. The energy all of a sudden went from very positive to just a slight more intensity and thinking that we are getting ourselves back into the game.”Who knows, if Jonny and I had batted for another five overs; if Moeen Ali and I could have got a bit of a partnership together… Yes, it was a huge ask. But in that situation it’s a matter of trying to take the game deep and give us some sort of chance.”Sam Billings acknowledges his maiden international hundred•Getty ImagesDespite the result, Billings demonstrated many of the attributes England are looking for in their players. For a start, he was resilient. From a position of near hopelessness – chasing what would have been a record total to win an ODI at Emirates Old Trafford, England limped to 22 for 2 after 10 overs, their lowest score at that stage of a home ODI since 2006 – he took the game into the final over.Secondly, he was adaptable. After soaking up pressure towards the start of his innings, he showed an ability to accelerate and damage opposition that underlined the impression he could enjoy a decent career at this level. Anyone who can straight drive and ramp Mitchell Starc, who is probably within the best half-dozen or so middle-overs bowlers in the history of this format, can really play. He’s a decent player of spin and one of England’s bravest and most athletic fielders, too. There’s a lot to like.But Billings’ problem – and it really is a two-pipe problem, as Sherlock Holmes might have put it – is that he’s the stand-in for Ben Stokes. And that’s an issue, as Stokes might just be the finest cricketer England have had this century. So just as Dawid Malan is struggling to displace Jonny Bairstow or Jason Roy, so Billings isn’t going to force his way into this side – any side – ahead of Stokes. And he’s not going to force his way in ahead of Jos Buttler or Eoin Morgan, either.But he could force his way into the T20 or even the Test side. With Buttler set to bat at the top of the order in the shorter format, there might just be a vacancy as a floating middle-order batsman alongside Morgan and Stokes. And with two T20 World Cups – in theory, at least – to be staged in the next couple of years, it seems a worthy aim.The role of middle-order T20 batsman is desperately tough to nail down. You have, in essence, very few balls in which to impress and almost no opportunity to play yourself in. So it’s maximum risk for, on a personal level, minimum reward. Billings’ statistics demonstrate this: he’s played 30 T20Is and faced more than 25 balls in an innings only once. The other 24 times he has either not batted at all or faced 11 deliveries or fewer.ALSO READ: ‘Don’t want to be pigeonholed as a white-ball player’ – Billings”Ben Stokes isn’t here and I don’t think, however many runs I get, that I’ll keep that spot,” Billings said of his ODI role. “All I can do is stake a claim. Especially building towards the T20 stuff. There is a slot in that late-to-middle order. Hopefully this will keep pushing my case in that format. [Loss of] form and injury – as I found out the hard way – can happen. As long as you are putting yourself in the right position to be the next cab off the rank, you never know when these opportunities will arise.”The “hard way”, as he puts it, came last year. After an excellent innings of 87 in a T20I in St Kitts, Billings looked well-placed to be the reserve batsman in the World Cup squad. But then he sustained a serious shoulder injury which ruled him out and saw James Vince selected instead. Vince not only played in three games but was on the pitch (as substitute for Mark Wood) for one of the most dramatic moments in the history of English cricket, that Lord’s Super Over. Now aged 29, the sense that time may be running out must be gnawing Billings harder than ever.”Last year was easily the toughest of my career,” Billings said. “Missing out on the World Cup squad and that whole experience. It was a really tough experience [but] I’ve stayed pretty philosophical about it. The white-ball batting depth at the moment in this country is pretty phenomenal. Of course it’s frustrating.”But Joe Root said to me yesterday, the amount of cricket I’ve played, I’m more like a 26-year-old. Dan Lawrence is six years younger than me, but has played more first-class cricket than I have. I’m still improving as last night showed.”I’m in a really good place with my technique that could obviously transform to the longer form of the game as well. Ollie Pope is out [injured] for a little while and that middle order spot [in the Test team] might be vacant.”Indeed, it might. So perhaps, if Billings can repeat such performances, he will look back on this period not so much as an understudy but as an apprenticeship. The best could still be ahead of him.