After years of poor dealings in the transfer market under former owner Mike Ashley, Newcastle United hit the jackpot with the Saudi PIF takeover, which has seen increased transfer funds and improved recruitment.

The ownership, coupled with the job conducted by boss Eddie Howe, has taken the Magpies to a place they could’ve only dreamed of before the takeover – reaching the Champions League group stages for the first time in 20 years during the 2023/24 season.

Key first-team signings such as Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes have played crucial roles in the club’s success, proving to be worth every penny of their respective transfer fees.

However, they’ve also invested in youth, with Yankuba Minteh joining last summer for £6.5m before being sold to Brighton for £33m this window without playing a single minute for the first team.

Despite recent success, the board and Howe are on the hunt for more new additions to help provide more competition and depth within the squad, allowing the Magpies to become a consistent top-four challenger in the years ahead.

Newcastle United transfer news

Since the opening of the transfer window, the Magpies have been linked with a whole host of players in numerous different positions as Howe aims to increase his squad depth to prevent a repeat of last season’s injury crisis.

A centre-back and a right-sided forward have been two of the key positions that the Newcastle boss is aiming to strengthen, with endless targets rumoured in recent weeks.

Noni Madueke is a player who has constantly been touted with a move to Tyneside over the last seven days, with fresh reports over the weekend claiming the Chelsea forward has agreed personal terms over a move to St James’ Park.

The 22-year-old registered seven goal contributions in his 23 Premier League appearances last season, proving to be a potential upgrade on any options currently available at Howe’s disposal.

Malick Thiaw is another talent who has been frequently mentioned over a move to Tyneside, with the Magpies rumoured to have submitted a bid for his services in recent weeks.

Newcastle boss Howe confirmed just a couple of days ago that they were still in the market for reinforcements, with AC Milan centre-back Thiaw potentially one player who could be a Magpies player come the start of the season.

However, whilst it’s unclear how much they will have to pay for his signature, he’s currently valued lower than one star who joined the club after the Saudi PIF takeover.

Sven Botman’s market value in 2024

Centre-back Sven Botman joined the club with high expectations after his £32m move to Tyneside during the summer of 2022.

He’s since made a huge impact at the back, registering 66 appearances in all competitions, before an ACL injury towards the back end of last season which could rule him out until 2025.

Sven Botman's Newcastle stats since joining in 2022

Statistics

Tally

Games played

66

Minutes played

5,489'

Clean sheets

22

Goals

2

Assists

2

Yellow cards

6

Stats via Transfermarkt

However, his injury hasn’t had an effect on his market value, with the “sensational” Dutchman, as dubbed by scout Antonio Mango, still valued at £38m, as per Transfermarkt – a £6m increase on the fee they forked out for his services two years ago.

For perspective, that valuation is still ahead of the €40m (£35m) price tag that has been touted for Thiaw – the man who could partner the Dutchman upon his return from injury, should a deal be completed for his services.

The Botman deal is evidence of the excellent business conducted by the current owners, with their big-money signings undoubtedly worth a huge amount more than what they paid for them.

Thiaw could be the latest player to follow the trend, with the defender potentially making a huge impact on Howe’s backline in the 2024/25 campaign.

Related Forget Thiaw: Newcastle could sign their own Guehi in move for £30m ace

The club have been targeting a new centre-back during the transfer window.

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Looking to sign further reinforcements before the summer transfer window slams shut at the end of the month, Manchester United have reportedly now submitted a sensational double offer.

Man Utd transfer news

The Red Devils still have it all to do on the transfer front despite already signing both Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee. Erik ten Hag's side had their weaknesses exposed for all to see last season and negotiations remain ongoing in pursuit of fixing those problems using the likes of Manuel Ugarte. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder would likely take the place of Casemiro, who has been linked with a move away following a campaign to forget last time out.

Constant contact: Man Utd chase "insane" £42m star to solve Yoro problem

The incredible international would be an excellent signing.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 2, 2024

The Uruguay international may not be the only upgrade on his way either. As things stand, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to leave on a free deal this time next year when his current Manchester United contract expires, creating a gap for a new right-back sooner rather than later. And whilst names such as Denzel Dumfries have been mentioned, a Bundesliga ace, alongside his teammate, seems more likely.

According to David Ornstein, Manchester United have submitted a double bid to sign Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, who have already rejected the offer. With talks ongoing and personal terms already agreed, this one is likely far from over, however. That said, the deal won't come cheap, given that De Ligt earns a reported £258k-a-week and Mazraoui a reported £130k-a-week to combine for a hefty £388,000.

Given that Yoro has just suffered an untimely injury blow too, signing De Ligt on top of Mazraoui could certainly be smart business from all involved at Old Trafford.

"Imposing" De Ligt still important after Yoro

Still just 18 years old, Yoro cannot be the only solution to Manchester United's defensive problems, creating the need for De Ligt to also arrive. The former Ajax man has worked under Ten Hag before and could now get the opportunity to crucially do so again. Earning plenty of praise over the years, Zach Lowy once described the Dutchman as "imposing" prior to his Bayern Munich move.

Progressive Carries

16

8

Progressive Passes

98

68

Tackles Won

12

25

Ball Recoveries

73

124

Meanwhile, alongside De Ligt, those at Old Trafford may also welcome Mazraoui to replace Wan-Bissaka and possibly upgrade Ten Hag's backline even further. With the Premier League campaign fast approaching, however, United will want to get both deals completed sooner rather than later.

If the Red Devils can head into their opening-day game against Fulham with Yoro, Zirkzee, De Ligt and Mazraoui signed and sealed, then Ten Hag should be set up to enjoy a far better campaign than he managed last time out. By the end of the summer, sporting director Dan Ashworth may well steal the headlines for his work.

Cristiano Ronaldo, along with three Premier League stars have left the Portugal squad ahead of the Croatia clash.

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Ronaldo released from Portugal squadSilva, Fernandes and Neto to return to EnglandNeto, Fernandes and Ronaldo scored in win over PolandFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 2016 Euro Cup winners have already cemented their place at the top of their Nations League group with the 5-1 win over Poland on Friday. They will next face Croatia in their final group match on Monday. Ahead of the dead-rubber clash, manager Roberto Martinez has released four of his star players, Ronaldo, Pedro Neto, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes.

AdvertisementGetty THE EXPLANATION

While explaining his decision to let key players leave the squad midway into the international break, Martinez claimed that he wants to try out new players and give exposure to youngsters in their upcoming match. The news comes as a huge boost for Premier League giants Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United, along with Al-Nassr who will now welcome their star performers back. While Silva, Neto and Ronaldo are being rested, Fernandes will primarily miss the game due to suspension which was slapped on him after picking up a yellow card against Poland.

WHAT ROBERTO MARTINEZ SAID

Speaking to reporters after the Poland clash, the former Everton boss said, "In the first stage, we made six changes from one game to the next. It's important for us to be first, and we already are. We need to be competitive to add to the group, it's getting harder and harder to get into the starting eleven. There's a World Cup finals in 18 months.

"The game against Croatia is important, we need to look at other players. We're going to let go of Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, who is suspended. We're going to call up Fábio Silva and Quenda for the Under-21s."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?

The 39-year-old, who scored a brace in Friday's win, will get a well-earned break before he returns to action for Al-Nassr against Al-Qadisiyah in the Saudi Pro League on November 22.

Carlos Corberan will be aiming to finally win promotion up to the Premier League as a manager with West Bromwich Albion next season, having experienced the sour taste of play-off agony twice now with both the Baggies and at former employers Huddersfield Town.

West Brom getting knocked out in the semi-final stages last season definitely still stung for the Spaniard, but he has also experienced the deep sorrow of a defeat at Wembley in a Championship play-off final, losing 1-0 to Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest back in 2022 to deny the Terriers top-flight football.

One member of that despondent Huddersfield group could even link back up with Corberan if everything goes to plan.

West Brom interested in move for £1m rated star

According to football journalist Alan Nixon, the Baggies could reunite their manager with one of his ex-Terriers stars in the form of Sorba Thomas this summer, with the Welsh winger itching for a move away from the John Smith's Stadium after his side's relegation down to League One.

Yet, even as Michael Duff's men now stare third-tier football in the face, they will not be easily intimidated into getting rid of Thomas for a low price, with Nixon further stating that a £1m price-tag has put above the 25-year-old's head which West Brom might view as too steep.

This could allow for FC Nantes to race to the front of the queue and land Sorba's services instead, with West Brom only paying one fee for an incoming so far this transfer window, as the Baggies continue to operate as wheeler dealers in the market.

What Thomas would offer West Brom

With no Matt Phillips now at Corberan's disposal, West Brom need more reinforcements down the right wing to keep the likes of Tom Fellows and Grady Diangana on their toes.

Therefore, West Brom might just have to break the bank slightly in order to land Thomas at the expense of their French competitors, with the Welshman champing at the bit to link back up with Corberan again.

The 25-year-old attacker was even purchased by the Spaniard from non-league Boreham Wood when the Baggies boss was still occupying the dug-out in West Yorkshire, with the best patch of form of his career to date coming under his watchful eye.

Described as "sensational" by pundit Ali Maxwell, Thomas would amass three goals and 16 assists during the 21/22 season for Huddersfield in all competitions, which ended in the ultimate disappointment of play-off heartbreak, before struggling the season after Corberan's departure, with just six assists managed and zero goals scored.

Games played

43

Goals scored

3

Assists

12

Touches*

43.6

Big chances created

19

Shining for the Terriers as an assist king from many a set-piece, with a staggering 19 big chances created across that same campaign, the likes of Kyle Bartley and Brandon Thomas-Asante will love accompanying Thomas onto the Hawthorns turf knowing that he will be able to put chances on a plate for them to power home.

He will also fill a gap left behind the aforementioned Phillips departing, who was also known to deliver a killer ball into the danger area across his long-standing Baggies career, with 31 assists tallied up from 255 West Brom clashes.

Also capable of scoring a vital strike like Phillips managed with this late effort against Watford in 2016, with four goals bagged last season for Huddersfield even as his relationship became strained with the West Yorkshire outfit, this could be a deal that suits all parties well if a move gets over the line.

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West Bromwich Albion might look to cash in soon on this inconsistent dud.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 11, 2024

The South Africa allrounder became the most expensive overseas player ever at the auction

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Feb-20213:02

Is RR’s bowling unit sorted?

Chris Morris, the South Africa allrounder, and New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson were the biggest winners at the 2021 IPL auction. Morris became the IPL’s most expensive overseas player ever signed at an auction when he was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for INR 16.25 crore (USD 2.2 million approx), while Jamieson recorded the day’s second-highest figure, signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 15 crore (USD 2 million approx).Two more spending records were broken, dispelling doubts over a cautionary mood in the Covid-19 era. Karnataka’s offspinning allrounder K Gowtham became the most expensive uncapped buy in IPL history when Chennai Super Kings signed him for INR 9.25 crore (USD 1.2 million approx). And Punjab Kings’ INR 8 crore (USD 1 million approx) for Australian fast bowler Riley Meredith made him the costliest uncapped overseas player ever. The day’s two other millionaires were Glenn Maxwell – picked up by the Royal Challengers for INR 14.25 crore (USD 1.95 million approx) – and his compatriot Jhye Richardson, signed by the Kings for INR 14 crore (USD 1.9 million approx).Notable mentions included Cheteshwar Pujara returning to the IPL after seven years – the last time Pujara played any form of T20 cricket was in March 2019, for Saurashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy – going to the Super Kings for INR 50 lakh, and Arjun Tendulkar, the very last name out of the hat, going to Mumbai Indians for INR 20 lakh. On the flip side, some big names like Aaron Finch, Jason Roy and Sheldon Cottrell remained unpicked.Chris Morris was signed by Rajasthan Royals for $2.2 million•Getty ImagesAfter a slow start to the proceedings, Maxwell became the day’s first millionaire. Maxwell began at his base price of INR 2 crore and the bids quickly spiralled, with the Royals, the Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders also fighting for his signature.Maxwell had spent seven seasons with the Punjab Kings (Kings XI Punjab till last season), scoring 1383 runs at a strike rate of 157.69, and helped the team reach the final in 2014.Then Morris’ name came up and sparked a fierce bidding war – his eventual fee climbing more than 20 times from the base price – involving four different teams, with the Royals eventually beating out the Royal Challengers, Mumbai Indians and the Kings to sign him. He had played for the Royals during the 2015 season and was the team’s joint-highest wicket-taker that year with 13 wickets.Morris overtook Yuvraj Singh (INR 16 crore in 2015), Pat Cummins (INR 15.5 crore in 2020) and Ben Stokes (INR 14.5 crore in 2017) as the costliest buy at an IPL auction, but the Royals believe it was money well spent.”We did due diligence, he’s an ex-Royal who can deal with a price tag like that,” Jake Lush McCrum, the Royals CEO, said. ” He is a quality bowler through all phases of the game, can win us games with the bat too. We did stretch, that was our last bid, luckily Kings XI held back. Delighted to have him back with the Royals.”Related

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IPL 2021 auction: The list of sold and unsold players

The Royal Challengers also came close to bagging Maxwell’s Australian team-mate Steven Smith, but were eventually beaten out by Delhi Capitals, who signed him for INR 2.2 crore. The Capitals also bolstered their squad with the addition of India quick Umesh Yadav, for INR 1 crore.Having missed out on Maxwell, the Super Kings did eventually manage to get another allrounder, fighting off bids from the Kings to land England’s Moeen Ali for INR 7 crore.The Kings also tried to secure Shakib Al Hasan for INR 2.6 crore, but Bangladesh’s premier allrounder was eventually sold for INR 3.2 crore to his former team, the Knight Riders, with whom he won the title in 2012 and 2014.The Kings signed England opener and the top-ranked T20I batsman Dawid Malan for his base price of INR 1.5 crore. They then splashed INR 14 crore on Richardson, winning a lengthy battle against the Capitals and the Royal Challengers for the Perth Scorchers fast bowler. Soon after, the Kings and the Capitals locked horns yet again, this time for Hobart Hurricanes seamer Meredith. The Capitals went as high as INR 7.75 crore for Meredith’s signature, but the Kings sealed the deal with their INR 8 crore bid.Tamil Nadu finisher Shahrukh Khan, who recently won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, also landed a giant payday thanks to the Kings, who signed him for INR 5.25 crore, more than 51 times his base price of Rs 20 lakh.Mumbai, the most successful IPL team and two-time defending champions, spent most of their purse on boosting their already stellar bowling attack, signing Adam Milne (INR 3.20 crore), Nathan Coulter-Nile (INR 5 crore) and Piyush Chawla (INR 2.40 crore). But, with the day’s very last transaction, they landed arguably the biggest surname in Indian cricket.

خاض فريق برشلونة، مساء يوم السبت، مباراته في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2024/25 وذلك ضد خصمه خيتافي.

وحل برشلونة ضيفًا على خيتافي، في ملعب الأخير في الجولة العشرين من الليجا، حيث تعادلا بهدف لمثله.

وكان برشلونة متقدمًا في النتيجة بهدف، سجله كوندي في الشوط الأول، قبل أن يتمكن خيتافي من تسجيل هدف التعادل في الشوط نفسه.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ترتيب الدوري الإسباني بعد تعادل برشلونة وخسارة أتلتيكو مدريد

وحسبما أُعلن بعد إطلاق صافرة النهاية، فإن لاعب برشلونة بيدري هو رجل مباراة خيتافي في بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

ونجح بيدري في صناعة هدف برشلونة، بعد تمريرة رائعة من جانبه، وقدم الإسباني أدائه المعهود عنه رغم أن ذلك لم يمنح فريقه الفوز في النهاية.

واكتفى برشلونة بالحصول على نقطة، ليرتفع رصيده إلى 39 نقطة في المركز الثالث في جدول الليجا.

ويخوض برشلونة، مساء الثلاثاء المقبل، مباراة في الجولة السابعة من مرحلة الدوري في دوري أبطال أوروبا ضد بنفيكا.

Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati has urged Spain's Liga F to do more to elevate women's football in the country.

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• Bonmati criticised Liga F for lack of exposure
• Praised WSL and NWSL
• Recently penned extension with Barcelona

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bonmati has returned to Spain fresh off winning her second consecutive Ballon d'Or but the 26-year-old is not happy with the situation in her home country. Barcelona's star midfielder says Liga F are not doing enough to elevate the league's presence and believes they should be doing more to help women's football gain a reputation similar to England's Women's Super League and the United States' National Women's Soccer League.

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• Getty Images
  

  WHAT BONMATI SAID

  Speaking to ESPN, Bonmati said: "The league in USA, they are doing the things good in terms of marketing and communication and they want to be the top one, as well as [the WSL] also in England. So I think these both leagues are one of the best in terms of treatment, how they treat the women's football, how we deserve.

  "I always say the same about my league. I'm not happy how they treat us because I think they have a product… the footballers, a good product because we are winners of the Champions League three times and also World Cup winners and Nations League winners. So you have the product to explode that in terms of marketing and commercial to make money because it is important to make money to develop.

  "And I think there is a lot to do here and I would like to have a more competitive league because this is the best for the people who are watching us and also for us to be better every year. If you compete in a good league, you can compete with the best players, with the best teams and you can be better."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Bonmati's harsh words may be a wake-up call for the executives at Liga F, who will want to ensure they keep hold of their fine crop of players. Spain have dominated both across Europe and at international level in recent years but risk losing their stars if they do not satisfy their want to grow with the women's game. In England, the WSL is getting increased funding, more coverage and higher attendances due to how it is marketed, a department the women's game in Spain is lagging behind in.

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• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR BONMATI?

  Spain and Bonmati will be back in action at the end of the month when they face South Korea and France. As for her career with Barcelona, they sit five points clear of Real Madrid after nine games in 2024-25.

MatériaMais Notícias

Um dos grandes reforços trazidos pelo Corinthians recentemente foi Renato Augusto. Com sua técnica apurada e sua inteligência tática, ele tem feito a diferença nessa sua volta ao clube. Mas além dessas características, o meia diz se inspirar em dois corintianos históricos: Elias e Paulinho, esse último ele até abriu as portas para uma possível chegada no início da próxima temporada.

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GALERIA
>Varanda é mais um! Veja quem já deixou o Corinthians desde o início de 2021

Versátil no meio-campo, Renato tem jogado com um segundo volante, mas pode exercer outras funções no setor, como a de primeiro homem, algo que fez em alguns minutos do duelo com o Red Bull Bragantino. Essa porém não foi a primeira vez que trabalhou dessa forma. Por conta dessas mudanças e necessidade de aperfeiçoamento, ele se baseia em antigos companheiros.

-Joguei a Olimpíada (de 2016) toda de primeiro volante, não é uma novidade pra mim, na China também fiz algumas vezes, mas a função que mais gosto é a de 8, de meia, a que venho jogando. Em alguns momentos, vai precisar, como contra o Bragantino, quando o Sylvinho fez uma substituição e eu recuei. Acabei até fazendo um gol mesmo nesta função.

-O que procuro é estar perto da área, pisar na área. Aprendi muito com jogadores com quem joguei. Quando era mais novo, não tinha tanto a ideia de jogar perto do gol, mas joguei com Elias e Paulinho, jogadores que têm o feeling do gol, que entendem essa infiltração. Procurei aprender com eles, para entrar na área e fazer mais gols – completou.

Perguntado sobre a possibilidade e Paulinho fazer a função de primeiro volante, Renato Augusto se esquivou e deixou a “bomba” nas mãos de Sylvinho. Mesmo assim, deixou as portas abertas para seu companheiro de Seleção na Copa de 2018 voltar ao Corinthians em um futuro próximo.

-A questão tática seria mais com o Sylvinho. Ele até passou na Arábia Saudita um pouco, não sei como vem jogando. Mas é um cara de alto nível. Se realmente vier, será de grande valia para nós.

Paulinho ainda não tem uma proposta formalizada do Corinthians, mas as partes já conversam para um possível acordo a partir do início de 2022. Não há pressa para a resolução da negociação, uma vez que o jogador não pode mais atuar no futebol brasileiro neste ano. A tendência é que ele volte ao Timão.

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Australia, India and England are in the race to book a berth at the showpiece event at Lord’s

S Rajesh02-Feb-2021

Kane Williamson’s New Zealand are now guaranteed a spot in the WTC final•Getty Images

Does this mean New Zealand are through?
Yes. Australia, marginally behind New Zealand on the points table at this stage, will not get the opportunity to go past them now. India and England are both in contention, but since they play each other, only one of them can exceed New Zealand’s points percentage of 70. That means New Zealand versus…Australia, possibly?
Australia are not out of it yet, but they will be ruing the four points they dropped because of a slow over-rate against India in the Boxing Day Test. Had that not happened, Australia would have been level with New Zealand on 70, which would then have brought the runs-per-wicket ratio into play (that is the ratio of the runs scored per wicket lost, and the runs conceded per wicket taken). Australia’s ratio is currently 1.39 while New Zealand’s is 1.28.This means Australia would have stayed ahead of New Zealand if they hadn’t been docked those four points, and would have been certain of qualification. Now, they will need India and England to help them out: if the two teams share the total points on offer from the series in such a way that their overall percentages drop below Australia’s 69.17, then Australia can still make it to the final. That can happen only if the series is drawn (by any margin), or if England win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1, or if India win 1-0.What do India need to do to qualify?
Both India and England will target Australia’s points percentage – whichever teams tops 69.17 will qualify.India need 70 points from the four-Test series to go past Australia. That means they need to win by at least a 2-1 margin – that will fetch them 30 points for each of the two wins, and 10 points for one draw; 3-0 or 3-1 or 4-0, of course, work even better.And England, don’t they have a shot too?
England need 87 points from these four Tests to go past Australia. That means they need to win at least three matches. History is against them there, though – the last time a touring team won three Tests in a series in India was West Indies, in 1983-84.Of course, both India and England will have to keep the over-rate penalties in mind: any points docked due to slow over-rates will make their task tougher.

Paul Stirling and Kim Garth were named Ireland’s men’s and women’s players of the decade for 2011-20 at the Irish Cricket Awards on Friday night.Stirling, who was also named as player of the year for 2020, had been shortlisted alongside Ed Joyce, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien and William Porterfield, and was picked for his “world-class” consistency.”He has amazing natural talent with power and match-winning qualities,” the judging panel said. “Opening the batting against top-quality bowling attacks, he has an outstanding strike rate which gives the team the best chance of being successful against the top nations.””It’s a pretty special award, I must admit,” Stirling said. Over such a long period of time, to come out with something like that… there’s so many great players that have been involved over the last 10 years, so to come out on top of that – [I’m] not quite sure how, but delighted to have received the award. It’s just class.”Related

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Stirling was Ireland’s leading run-scorer in the decade, making 5529 runs across formats including eight hundreds, all of them in ODIs.Garth, who made her international debut as a 14-year-old in 2010, was shortlisted alongside Laura Delany, Cecelia and Isobel Joyce, and Clare Shillington. She was Ireland’s leading wicket-taker in both ODIs and T20Is across the decade, and became one of the first six players to be awarded a professional contract by Cricket Ireland in 2019.Last year, she left Irish cricket, instead committing to a two-year contract to play for Victoria in Australia. “It was a decision I’d thought about for quite a while and obviously it was very difficult knowing that my Irish career was something that was going to have to be put on hold for the time being,” Garth said.”Having spent a couple of years out here and seen how the system works, I decided that I wanted to play cricket for a living and unfortunately that wasn’t feasible back home. It’s been absolutely amazing. It’s an incredibly strong side. I absolutely love being a part of it. It’s essentially training with half of the Australian team every day.”Simi Singh was named inter-provincial player of the year and Laura Delany won the Super Series player of the year award, while the late Roy Torrens was recognised for his “outstanding contribution and service to Irish cricket”.