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A “quality” Liverpool player is now reportedly in talks with another club about a move there this summer, with the situation said to be “gaining momentum” currently.

The latest on Isak to Liverpool

The Reds’ pursuit of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is the big talking point at the moment, as the Premier League champions look to get an incredible piece of transfer business over the line.

Liverpool have already seen a first bid of £110m rejected by the Magpies, and while a second offer is yet to be tabled, it may well happen once Newcastle have signed a replacement.

RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko appears to be their priority target to lead the line instead of Isak, but the Slovenian now has to choose between them and Manchester United.

From a Liverpool perspective, they will clearly hope that Sesko opts to move to St James’ Park, in terms of aiding their efforts to bring in the Swede this summer. If that does happen, it will help pave the way for other Reds attackers to move on before the new season gets underway, and a key update has emerged regarding one such player.

Liverpool star in talks over Saudi Pro League move

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri on X, Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is in talks with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal about a summer move, with an Andfield exit “gaining momentum”.

Assuming the Reds do end up signing Isak, or an alternative for that matter, this summer feels like the right time for Nunez to leave, even though Jurgen Klopp spoke positively about him in the past.

“He loves to play for this team together with these boys and has quality coming out of his ears, to be honest. Is he at his absolute peak in general? Not now for us. But can he develop? Yes. Is he a threat all the time? Yes.”

The £140,000-a-week Nunez is a popular figure among the fans, due to his character and work ethic, but the brutal reality is that his finishing is still erratic after three years at Liverpool, as is his all-round game.

"90% certain" – Liverpool set to make new improved bid for Alexander Isak

Liverpool may just be in luck…

By
Ben Goodwin

Aug 2, 2025

For that reason, a move to Al-Hilal would be ideal for the Reds, allowing them to cash in on the 26-year-old and hopefully sign a huge upgrade in Isak.

Legspin-bowling allrounder Dushan Hemantha has been called up

Andrew Fidel Fernando12-Nov-2024Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the ODI series against New Zealand, having sustained an injury to his left hamstring while bowling, in the second T20I, on Sunday. Hasaranga was seen hobbling through his later overs, and was also limping between the wickets while running.He has been replaced in the ODI squad by Dushan Hemantha, another legspin-bowling allrounder. Hemantha has played five ODIs and has recently been among the wickets for the Sri Lanka A team.Hasaranga’s absence will be significant for Sri Lanka, particularly as he had been Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler in the T20Is, taking 2 for 20 in the first match, then 4 for 17 in the second, while also producing an important 22 off 23 in the first T20I.Related

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Bracewell admits NZ 'didn't time the chase very well'

NZ vs SL ODIs: New faces, spin pitches and Champions Trophy watch

Ferguson ruled out of ODIs against Sri Lanka with calf injury; Adam Milne called up

Sri Lanka already had another legspinner in the squad, however, in Jeffrey Vandersay, with Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage the other frontline spinners.Hasaranga becomes the second player to be ruled out of the series owing to injuries sustained in that second T20I, with New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson also unavailable due to a calf injury.The series begins on Wednesday, with the first match to be played in Dambulla, and the remaining two games in Pallekele.

New Zealand have played down all the talk around the Pune pitch – a slow, dry, black-soil surface is in the works – but if conditions turn out to be extreme and the ball turns square from the first day, it could favour the visitors’ spinners too. This is the assessment of their captain Tom Latham on the eve of the second Test against India at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.”I guess whatever we’re presented with, it’s about, for us, trying to adapt as quick as we can; that’s something that we can’t control with the wicket,” Latham said. “So it’s about trying to go out there and adapt as quick as we can, and if it’s going to be a wicket that turns a little bit more, then we’ve obviously got four spinners in our line-up, so fingers crossed that will play into their hands, but yeah, as I said, it’s about trying to adapt on the run, and try not to go into the game with too many preconceived ideas.”Allrounder Rachin Ravindra, who is among New Zealand’s spin options, agreed with his captain. When Pune had served up a sharp turner in 2017, it had backfired on India, with left-arm fingerspinner Steve O’Keefe spinning Australia to victory inside three days. O’Keefe took 12 wickets, which was as many as R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja combined.Related

• India's invincibility under threat as NZ look to complete the impossible

• Rachin Ravindra's decisive feet are marching towards greatness

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• Mitchell: 'We can't change the wicket, but we'll find a way to adapt'

• Gautam Gambhir backs KL Rahul, but will he play in Pune?

“If it’s an extreme wicket, it almost brings us into the game more,” Ravindra said. “If you win the toss, all of a sudden you take a couple of wickets and you’re right into the game on a wicket that’s pretty spicy and turns a lot. As a team, it’s about accepting what’s in front of us. We can’t change that. We can’t control what wicket they’re going to roll out.”But we can control our attitude, how we approach it, and each and every position we get into with the bat or consistency with the ball. We’re excited for the challenge, whatever it may be.”New Zealand had picked three spinners for the first Test in Bengaluru, but didn’t need any of them with the ball in the first innings in seaming conditions. Their workload, however, could be much heavier across both innings in Pune. New Zealand are also open to selecting an extra spinner in place of a seamer if the conditions dictate the need for it. Offspin-bowling allrounder Michael Bracewell has returned home for the birth of his second child, but they have other options in Mitchell Santner (left-arm fingerspinner) and Ish Sodhi (wristspinner).Rohit Sharma and Tom Latham chat after Bengaluru Test•BCCI

“Yeah, I obviously had a little bit of a think around what that [the playing XI] may look like, but we’ll make those final decisions after I speak to you guys, Latham said. “So yeah, as I said, it’s just about trying to make sure we adapt as best we can, and try to get a little bit of information from previous games here, and also the practice wickets that we’re on will hopefully be something around, or similar to what we’re getting, so I think that’s the beauty of our team, is trying not to go into the game with too many preconceived ideas, and trying to make sure we adapt as best we can.”Latham also looked back fondly on the success in Bengaluru – he became only the third New Zealander to captain the side to a Test win in India – but he quickly shifted the focus to Pune, where New Zealand hope to go one better and seal the series.”Yeah, obviously very special, I guess to be… there’s myself, Graham Dowling and John Wright, to be in this position is really special, Latham said. “But for me it was a team effort, it wasn’t just me that obviously contributed to the win, you know, the guys did a fantastic job, and obviously that was last week, we obviously celebrated what was a special performance.”But our attention turned quickly to this game, and we’re trying not to, I guess, rest on what happened last week, as trying to take the confidence from last week, and take that into this game, and hopefully hit the ground running.”

All eyes are on Chelsea’s Club World Cup commitments, although that has not stopped the transfer rumour mill rumbling on in the background, with further deals seemingly set to follow, following the notable capture of Liam Delap last month.

While the Blues appear to have ended their interest in AC Milan goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, the club’s pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens continues, despite missing out on the Englishman ahead of the previous transfer deadline.

Prior reports have indicated that the 20-year-old has already agreed on a seven-year contract with the Stamford Bridge side, albeit with a club-to-club agreement still yet to be found, amid reports of a €65m (£55m) asking price.

The former Manchester City youth star does appear to be Enzo Maresca’s leading target right now, although further moves could seemingly lie in store, with talk that a new defensive addition could also enter the building.

Latest on Chelsea's bid for a new defender

For all the speculation surrounding attacking additions, it would appear that the west Londoners are also keen to bolster the backline this summer, having previously been in the mix for new Real Madrid man, Dean Huijsen.

A reunion with a certain Marc Guehi has also been mooted, albeit with the Englishman looking more likely to join Arne Slot’s Liverpool, should he decide to leave Crystal Palace in the coming months.

Centre-back thus looks to be a priority position for Chelsea ahead of the start of the new Premier League season, with reports in Spain suggesting that they are now readying an offer for Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

As per the report, the Blues have ‘launched an ambitious move’ for the 23-year-old defender, having made the versatile left-footer – who can operate at left-back – one of their ‘key targets’.

Despite his €60m (£51m) asking price representing something of an obstacle, the report claims that Chelsea are ‘willing to negotiate’, with the player himself ready to take the next step in his career.

Should that step take him to Stamford Bridge, the 6 foot sensation could look to replicate the success of his compatriot, Moises Caicedo.

Why Chelsea could land their next Caicedo

It’s fair to say that eyebrows were raised when Chelsea forked out a club-record fee of £115m to sign Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion back in 2023, with the Blues edging out Liverpool for the midfielder’s signature.

Despite enduring a “tough” first season by his own admission, the 23-year-old has kicked on and then some since, with teammate Cole Palmer hailing him as the side’s “best player” last month.

Also lauded as the Premier League’s ‘best central midfielder’ by pundit and analyst Adrian Clarke, the former Seagulls star is relishing life under Maresca, having notably made the fifth-most tackles in the top-flight last term.

Hopefully, the signing of his international colleague – who is the same age as Caicedo – can prove just as successful, with Hincapie having been noted as an “Ecuadorian football legend in the making” in his own right, according to talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Despite being “in the shadow” of the likes of Florian Wirtz at Leverkusen, the £51m man is a “top quality” talent undoubtedly, in the words of Kulig, with it no surprise that he has caught the eye of the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.

Where he particularly excels is in possession, as evidenced by the fact that he ranks in the top 5% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries per 90, while also ranking in the top 16% for progressive passes, as per FBref.

For comparison, the man he could potentially replace in that left-sided centre-back – Levi Colwill – ranks in just the bottom 33% for progressive carries, as well as in just the top 38% for progressive passes.

In a similar manner to Colwill, however, what does set Hincapie apart is how flexible he is at operating as a full-back or more centrally, with Caicedo sharing that versatility having featured as a deep-lying midfielder, or even as an inverted right-back under Maresca to date.

A further benefit is also the wealth of experience that Hincapie has earned thus far despite his relative youth, having made 189 club career appearances at senior level, alongside 46 caps for his country. For comparison, Caicedo has made 193 senior club appearances, alongside 55 caps at international level.

While unlike the latter man and his time at Brighton, the Leverkusen star is yet to be tested in the Premier League, all the signs point to him being a natural fit in Maresca’s side – much like Caicedo has been over the last 12 months or so.

Better than Garnacho: Chelsea set to launch £45m bid for "world-class" star

The dynamic phenom would be sensational for Chelsea.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 26, 2025

Manchester United are believed to have agreed personal terms with an “unplayable” player and are now willing to pay more than £60m to get a deal done.

Who could Man Utd sign this summer?

Ruben Amorim will know the importance of the Red Devils signing top-quality players this summer, following a dismal 2024/25 Premier League campaign, with exciting names continuing to be linked with moves to Old Trafford.

A new striker is a must for United, and Juventus marksman Dusan Vlahovic has been mentioned as an option before next season gets underway. In fact, they are even reportedly awaiting talks over a transfer.

Meanwhile, Emiliano Martinez continues to be seen as a target for the Red Devils this summer, as Amorim eyes up a summer switch for the Argentine. An upgrade on Andre Onana is required and the World Cup-winning 32-year-old appears to be a leading target between the sticks.

Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo is also a front-runner to join United imminently, joining Matheus Cunha in the process, and now a fresh update has emerged regarding their pursuit of him.

Man Utd agreed personal terms with "unplayable" star

Taking to X, journalist Rudy Galetti claimed that Manchester United have now agreed personal terms with Mbeumo, as a £63m move to Old Trafford edges closer:

At this point, it would be a huge surprise if Mbeumo wasn’t a United player come the beginning of next season, with the winger constantly edging closer to completing a move in recent weeks.

The Cameroonian enjoyed a fantastic 2024/25 season, scoring 20 goals in 38 Premier League appearances, and former Bees manager Thomas Frank is well aware of his ability, saying:

“Bryan Mbeumo today was unplayable. The way he holds the ball up and links play, like today to Kevin Schade [for the fourth goal] was very impressive.”

United are desperately in need of signing a wide player who can bring guaranteed end product to the team, with Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Antony all loaned out in 2024/25, and the Brentford ace could be perfect in that respect.

Granted, Mbeumo takes up the same right-sided role as Amad Diallo, so there is the risk that he could stunt the youngster’s progress, but the Red Devils need to be in a position where they have top-class players battling for minutes all over the pitch.

Man Utd come blistering into race to hijack Arsenal deal to sign £20m star

They could get one over on their rivals.

ByTom Cunningham Jun 22, 2025

The Bees attacker has proven himself in the Premier League, and at 25 years of age, there is still so much more to come from him, so there are few positives to the move happening this summer.

In what would be a bargain deal, Aston Villa are now reportedly in the race to sign a midfield star who has already confirmed his next steps ahead of this summer.

Aston Villa's final UCL push

It all comes down to Sunday for Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side travel to square off against a heartbroken Manchester United side who are fresh from their Europa League defeat and simply must compile the Red Devils’ misery. As things stand, they sit outside of the top five on goal difference and must desperately hope to see at least one of Manchester City, Chelsea or Newcastle United slip up.

There’s no denying just how important this weekend’s action is and Emery hasn’t tried to play things down in the build-up. The Spaniard told reporters in his pre-match press conference: “In our hands is only our result on Sunday, how we can respond and how we can perform against Manchester United.

“That’s the only issue I want to focus on with the players. I don’t want to know other results.

“I want only to play our match, only to focus on our match in 90 minutes and try to focus the dressing room on the first half on everything tactically and individually. We will not focus on other results. We must win, we must compete and we must get our result. We must respect Manchester United. That’s the only way I want to focus on Sunday.”

The impact that Champions League football would have on Villa’s summer business also cannot be overstated. It could instantly put them in a position to attract top talents for the second season on the bounce, which may yet include an England international for a bargain price.

Aston Villa chasing Angel Gomes deal

According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Aston Villa are now battling to sign Angel Gomes, who has already confirmed that he will be leaving LOSC Lille at the end of his current contract next month.

Martinez upgrade: Aston Villa in contact for one of the 'most talented GKs'

Aston Villa could be on the search for a new goalkeeper this summer

ByRoss Kilvington May 24, 2025

The England international said in a statement on Instagram: “After four unforgettable years at LOSC Lille, it’s time for me to say goodbye.

“This club has been more than just a team – it’s been a family, a home, and a place that has shaped me both on and off the pitch. Like any journey, there were ups and downs, highs and lows, but I’m truly grateful to my teammates and the fans for sticking with me throughout.”

Gomes’ time at the French club will be looked back on as a pivotal turning point for his career. From a Manchester United reject, the midfielder transformed into a deep-lying midfielder who is now ready to step back into the Premier League.

Dubbed a “smart” passer by analyst Ben Mattinson, Gomes is set to become one of the best bargains of the summer transfer window wherever he ends it playing for Aston Villa or, indeed, another club.

The Premier League champions have defied pre-season predictions to take gold medals this season. However, Arne Slot’s Liverpool have their work cut out this summer.

It’s curious that a title-winning team with such depth and balance in attack have found repeated calls in recent months for upgrades in the final third.

Liverpool, after all, have outscored their divisional rivals and then some this season. Moreover, Mohamed Salah is surely going to complete a clean sweep of individual accolades after his incredible campaign.

1.

Liverpool

1st

80

2.

Man City

4th

66

3.

Newcastle

3rd

65

4.

Arsenal

2nd

63

5.

Tottenham

16th

62

But several stars haven’t lived up to the billing, with Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota’s woes accentuating the need for an out-and-out striker.

Credit to Luis Diaz, whose versatility and tireless efforts have been crucial in Slot setting his name alongside the illustrious list of Premier League-winning managers; however, he’s not a true number nine and he’s gone stretches of the campaign without finding the back of the net.

Liverpool need to sign a centre-forward, but they shouldn’t sign Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak. Big claim, but here’s why.

Why Liverpool shouldn't sign Isak

If we’re going purely off suitability within Slot’s system and the level of quality Liverpool want to augment their ranks with, Isak would be the perfect summer signing.

However, FSG simply won’t authorise a package in excess of £150m to bring him to Merseyside, which is what Newcastle are likely to demand if they qualify for the Champions League.

And given that the Magpies are third in the Premier League with four games to go, they have a real chance to claim a seat back at Europe’s elite table.

Hark back two years. In April 2023, Liverpool pulled out of the race to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, concerned about the finances involved in striking a deal and Real Madrid’s vested interest.

This was met with derision from rivals, but FSG knew what they were doing. A range of signings were needed to refurnish the midfield, and who can say the decision was a poor one? Now, Liverpool are champions, having lifted the Carabao Cup last year.

The same outlook must be applied to Isak’s situation. The Sweden star has been “the best striker in the Premier League” this season, in the view of Jamie Carragher, but he’s not the only goalscorer available, and bagging him would likely come at the expense of much-needed investment across other areas.

Luckily, Liverpool are not so blinkered as to place all eggs in one basket.

Liverpool scouting exciting striker

As per The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe, Liverpool may well turn their attention to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike as they (potentially) close the door on Newcastle’s star striker.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

However, FSG’s chiefs are understood to have internal reservations about forking out a figure which could stand at £80m for a raw talent whose qualities have not yet been solidified at the highest level over a proven number of years.

The frustrations behind the failed shot at Nunez still live in the club’s mind, but Liverpool have doubled down on their data-driven approach since Klopp’s departure and Ekitike ticks a lot of boxes.

He ticks a lot of boxes for multiple high-level suitors, though, with Arsenal and Manchester United both also reportedly keen on striking a deal.

What Hugo Ekitike would bring to Anfield

Frankfurt signed the 22-year-old Ekitike from Paris Saint-Germain on loan for the second half of the 2023/24 season before his deal was made permanent for a reported €35m (£30m) fee last summer.

Always well regarded for his gifted skills on the ball, his multi-faceted attacking approach, Ekitike has gone from strength to strength since moving to Germany, thriving as the main man after languishing on the periphery of PSG’s swollen ranks.

According to analyst Ben Mattinson, Ekitike is “one of the best strikers out there” right now, scoring 22 goals and supplying ten more assists across 45 matches in all competitions. He’s certainly making waves, with journalist Graeme Bailey citing a few years ago the fact that many in France feel he could be “the next Mbappe.”

He netted a fantastic goal in the first leg of Frankfurt’s Europa League quarter-final tie against Tottenham Hotspur, though failed to advance to the penultimate stage.

Liverpool are interested not just because he has the trappings of a first-class goalscorer, but boasts a dynamic range of qualities. As per FBref, the Les Bleus star ranks among the top 4% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shots taken, the top 7% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for progressive carries and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.

What an interesting profile. Direct but smooth in his darts into the danger area, Ekitike is an artful dribbler and intelligent in his decision-making under pressure, hailed for his “incredible” quality by teammate Rasmus Kristensen.

These qualities have actually led the data-driven site to record Isak as Ekitike’s most statistically similar player. The plot very much thickens, then. You can see why Liverpool are so keen to snap this young talent up, replacing Nunez with an exciting new striker.

Ekitike isn’t Isak Lite, per se, but he’s definitely not on the level of the 25-year-old, whose completeness is truly a thing to behold. Of course, goalscoring is Isak’s bread and butter, scoring 22 Premier League goals this season (his one-term record) and missing just 18 big chances, as per Sofascore.

Such a conversion rate is impressive, for sure, but Ekitike’s showcasing his own brand of ball-striking potential in the Bundesliga, with 15 goals put away and only 13 big chances missed.

Similarities there, but Isak also ranks among the top 14% of strikers for both assists and shot-creating actions, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90 (also FBref).

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Isak’s the dream, but dreams are so often rooted in unreality, and Ekitike would be a more pragmatic signing who could still turn into a world-class player under the wing of Slot.

All the while ensuring there is ample room to make important improvements across the park.

Liverpool willing to table £51m to make West Ham star Bowen marquee signing

He has scored 3 times against the Reds in the past.

ByHenry Jackson Apr 28, 2025

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta privately believes that another highly-rated star would be “perfect” for the Gunners, with new sporting director Andrea Berta potentially set to attempt his signing this summer.

Berta set for significant summer of Arsenal spending

Arteta has already confirmed that Arsenal are set for a “big” first transfer window under their newly-appointed transfer chief, who was officially announced as Edu Gaspar’s replacement late last month.

Related Arsenal: Berta set to table bid for "top player" after £202m transfer boost

The Italian will have a big warchest to reinvest into Arsenal’s squad.

Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 11, 2025

Since then, reports have emerged claiming Arsenal could spend up to £300 million on seven major signings across the board (GiveMeSport), prior to the start of next season and a potentially more fruitful Premier League title challenge.

The north Londoners are said to be in the market for a new second-choice keeper, full-back, two midfielders, a left-winger, right-winger and striker (GMS), while Portuguese media sources state £202m of their transfer warchest could be spent on three big-name acquisitions.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Brentford (home)

April 12th

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

April 23rd

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

A Bola reported this week that the £202m spend could be invested into completing deals for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres and the heavily-linked Nico Williams.

Williams, who played a starring role in Spain’s triumph at Euro 2024, is set to be one of the biggest transfer stories of this summer, with Arsenal firmly in the race for his signature.

The 22-year-old is expected to push for an exit from Athletic Bilbao as Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Barcelona circle (The Guardian).

Williams’ contract also includes a £48 million release clause, meaning Berta could bypass negotiations with Bilbao in a fairly straightforward fashion and head straight to the winger for discussions over personal terms.

However, Williams is said to be demanding £250,000-per-week to leave Bilbao (GiveMeSport), so this could still end up being expensive in terms of salary. His current wages stand at around £170,000-per-week, according to The Times, so the Spaniard’s on the hunt for a hefty rise.

Mikel Arteta thinks Nico Williams is "perfect" for Arsenal

Speaking on his YouTube channel this week, Fabrizio Romano has shared more details on this potential move, and mainly what Arteta is thinking about the Basque starlet right now.

Arteta believes that Williams would be a “perfect” signing for Arsenal, following reports that Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is another “dream” signing of his, and it would appear the 43-year-old is drawing up his wishlist behind the scenes.

“Arsenal will sign a striker, but they will also sign a winger, and Nico Williams is considered the perfect player by Mikel Arteta,” said Romano.

“Chelsea also appreciate the player. There are several clubs interested in Nico, it will be a big race, Arsenal will be there for sure, but not only them.”

The exciting forward has been compared to the likes of Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, Man City’s Jeremy Doku and Bayern Munich star Michael Olise in terms of playing style (Football Transfers).

Williams is fast earning a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising direct wingers with real unpredictability, leaving little wonder he’s turned Arteta’s head, especially after he racked up 19 assists in all competitions last season.

Batters have looked to hit with the breeze while bowlers try to utilise it in their defence

Matt Roller21-Jun-2024At each of the five T20 World Cup games staged in St Lucia over the past week, there have been two matches going on: one team against the other, and both teams against the wind.Walk up to Daren Sammy Cricket Ground into the Beausejour Hills and the stiff breeze blowing in from the east is the first thing you notice. It is confirmed by the billowing flags hoisted next to the Party Stand, while players and umpires have their shirts buffeted throughout games. It is not far from the sea and the surrounding hills help to create strong winds with gusts of up to 20mph.Throughout this leg of the tournament, the breeze has blown diagonally across the ground, from behind the Party Stand on the north-eastern side – which is low and open – and towards the grandstand on the south-western side. Balls hit hard and flat can avoid it but any shot played in the air is liable to be blown one way or the other, and it has played on almost every player’s mind.Related

• How de Kock's local knowledge helped win the powerplay, and the match

• Buttler: De Kock innings 'the difference' in narrow South Africa win

• South Africa hold nerve against England to continue unbeaten march

• Live report – England vs South Africa: Group 2 pace-setters clash

With the wind blowing diagonally rather than straight across the ground, and three different strips used, there have been a number of subplots in these five games. In the first two, the breeze went towards the shorter boundary: bowlers tried to get hit towards the bigger side, and batters used their feet to create an angle that would allow them to hit with the wind.In the next two, the wind blew towards the bigger side, but the ends seemed to have more of an impact: in England’s win over West Indies, Phil Salt scored 27 off 22 balls at one end, while the breeze was coming towards him, and 60 off 25 at the other when it seemed to help straight shots carry over the rope.And on Friday, the first 10.30am start of the St Lucia leg, the wind seemed to be even stronger. On a fresh, central strip, the dimensions were relatively even – one square boundary measured 66 metres, the other 69 metres – and both South Africa and England made their plans accordingly: with the bat, use the breeze to attack; with the ball, use it as a defensive weapon.It has even influenced England’s team selection: they have changed the balance of their side since the start of the tournament, with Sam Curran replacing Will Jacks to provide both an extra seam-bowling option and another left-handed batter. “It gives us another option for the left-hand/right-hand combination, to try and have somebody hitting with the wind,” Jos Buttler said.It was clear in England’s bowling innings that they were trying to use it to their advantage, often bowling straight to a batter at one end and then hanging the ball wide at the other. “The wind’s been playing a big part in all the games,” Buttler said. “It was just a simple plan to try and get people to hit into the wind as opposed to with it.”The game’s costliest overs – which went for 21 runs each – were both influenced heavily by it. In South Africa’s powerplay, England posted two leg-side boundary-riders when Jofra Archer bowled to Quinton de Kock and he used the breeze to flick a ball at his hip over Reece Topley’s head at long leg and pull another over midwicket. It brought an over-correction to a shorter length, which de Kock was alert enough to uppercut for four.2:36

How big a factor is wind in St Lucia?

“Wind’s definitely a big factor, especially opening the batting when you’ve only got two guys out,” de Kock said. “You’ve got to use that wind as much as you can: don’t fight it, just try and use it. But I think it’s going to be like that [for] the whole of the rest of the World Cup when wind definitely plays a big factor.”When South Africa bowled at the death, Ottneil Baartman’s plan to bowl in the blockhole seemingly failed to account for the wind blowing behind him: he attempted five yorkers, and the breeze helped ensure that all five were full tosses. Three of them were hit for four and another for six.Some batters have used it much better than others. David Miller went with the wind to hit two short-side boundaries off Mark Wood in the 16th over, and to swing Archer over square leg for six. Moeen Ali, by contrast, picked out a leg-side boundary-rider while hitting into the breeze for the second match in succession.Fittingly, the game’s decisive moment was elevated by the wind. With 14 required off the last over and Harry Brook on strike, England were well placed as he tried to loft Anrich Nortje over mid-off. It was a percentage option to a slot ball, his poor connection flying away with the breeze and out of Aiden Markram’s reach.But Markram back-pedalled and took a superb diving effort, correctly judging the ball’s trajectory after spending 19 overs in the field working out just how vital the wind was. “I don’t think the TV does it justice,” de Kock said. “There was a massive left-to-right wind from my direction – maybe like 40-50kph.”It’s not that the ball’s just getting pushed, but also getting moved that way and he actually turned on the inside, so the ball’s always moving towards the boundary. Credit to Aiden. Everybody takes high catches but he practises those catches all the time… he won us a moment in the game today.”Ahead of the final game on this beautiful island on Monday, Australia and India should take note. There is nothing they can do to change the winds: it is a question of how they should adjust their sails to reach their destination.

Impassioned crowd turns up for India’s nets, with Sunday’s T20I set to be the first international match at the Barabati Stadium since 2019

Hemant Brar12-Jun-2022It’s a short ball on middle and leg stump. As Shreyas Iyer moves across and pulls it towards the square-leg boundary, the crowd at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack goes berserk. People are cheering, whistling, shrieking, and making all sorts of appreciative sounds human vocal cords are capable of.For a moment, it feels as if we are in the middle of the second T20I between India and South Africa. But it is only the eve of the match, and Iyer is having a practice session at the side strip.Related

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To say people in Cuttack are passionate about cricket is an understatement. The last time India and South Africa played a T20I here, in 2015, play had to be stopped twice as a section of the crowd started hurling plastic bottles onto the ground. The reason behind their anger being India getting all out for a mere 92 after being put in. The fans first threw water bottles onto the field during the innings break and then twice during South Africa’s chase.On Saturday, though, an entirely different but equally impassioned side of the Cuttack crowd was on display.The Odisha Cricket Association had opened one stand so that fans could watch the players train. During the day, the temperature hovered around 33° Celsius but such was the humidity it felt closer to 40°. A weather forecast cautioned against strenuous activities, saying there was a danger of dehydration, heat cramps and heat stroke. Even when the sun logged out for the day, there wasn’t much relief; you could still feel your clothes sticking to your body with sweat.But fans still came out in large numbers to watch their favourite cricketers practise their trade. Almost filling the whole stand next to the sightscreen at the Mahanadi end, they applauded every time a shot was played and gasped whenever the ball beat the bat.Diagonally opposite to that stand, just below the media box, was stationed the biggest cricket fan in India: Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary. Or if not the biggest, definitely the most recognised, with his body painted in blue, and an Indian flag in hand. After a couple of interviews with local news channels and more than a dozen selfies with fans, Chaudhary started waving the flag with his never-ending energy.Iyer was one of the first Indian batters to come out for the practice. He started on the side strip, which was almost indistinguishable from the lush outfield.

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Some cracking hits from the Captain and Vice-captain get the crowd going. #TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @RishabhPant17 | @hardikpandya7 | @Paytm pic.twitter.com/JoRKKzwvpJ

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 11, 2022