All posts by h716a5.icu

Liverpool look to have steadied the ship in the closing weeks of the 22/23 Premier League campaign before a chaotic 4-4 draw against relegated Southampton reminded Jurgen Klopp of the importance of summer reinforcements.

What's the latest on Jules Kounde to Liverpool?

According to reports from Spain, Liverpool have made an offer for Barcelona defender Jules Kounde after he has become discontented with life in Catalonia.

La Blaugrana signed Kounde for €55m (£48m) last summer, and despite winning LaLiga, he is unhappy with Xavi's persistence in playing him at right-back, instead of his preferred central defensive deployment.

The Reds' hopes may be enhanced by the Spanish giants' need to lower their wage bill, but will have to part with at least €60m (£52m) to seal a deal for a new defensive force.

Who could Jules Kounde replace at Liverpool?

Following a season where Liverpool will have failed to qualify for Champions League during a full season with Klopp at the helm, having shipped 47 goals compared to 26 conceded strikes last term, where 92 points and second place were clinched, it would be an understatement to say that Anfield needs freshening up.

The emphasis is on the central midfield, with James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all departing, but the defensive disarray also warrants the signing of a first-rate ace in the mould of Kounde, who has "world-class potential" according to talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Indeed, the 24-year-old has been an integral member of Barcelona's LaLiga-winning campaign, having recorded an average rating of 7.11 – as per Sofascore – despite frequenting his unfavoured role as a full-back.

He could be the perfect star to displace under-fire centre-back Joe Gomez, who has been chastened for some of his performances this season and branded "finished" by Liverpool podcaster Graeme Kelly.

Gomez has played a central role in his outfit's illustrious success since signing from Charlton Athletic for just £3.5m in 2015, but faces uncertainty when considering his future at the club, with his chance to prove his worth against Saints last week ending in a miserable afternoon, with the 4-4 draw highlighting the issues plaguing Klopp and co.

One of Gomez's most arresting attributes is his dynamism, capable of playing across the scope of the defence, but with the earmarking of Kounde, who could deputise for Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right flank with greater stability than his English counterpart, Liverpool's prospects of success would only augment.

Indeed, the £226k-per-week Frenchman ranks among the top 1% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues for rate of assists and the top 2% for shot-creating actions, progressive passes and progressive carries per 90, as per FBref, and while such statistics will be influenced by his fluctuation between centre-back and the wing of the defence, it underscores his ball-playing aptitude regardless.

Described as a "warrior" by ESPN's Frank Leboeuf, Kounde would be a superlative replacement for Gomez, who is increasingly unlikely to ever cement a regular starting berth in Klopp's system, and with Liverpool needing a swift return to prominence, it is the move to make.

James Anderson has admitted he may need to sit out some Tests this winter if he is to cope with England’s demanding schedule

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Sep-2016James Anderson has admitted he may need to sit out some Tests this winter if he is to cope with England’s demanding schedule.England are to play seven Tests in two months in Bangladesh and India. While Anderson, England’s record Test wicket-taker, insists he would like to be involved in every one, he accepts that, aged 34 and with many miles on the clock, he may to miss the occasional game to ensure he retains his effectiveness.Anderson was a key performer when England last played a Test series in India. While he claimed a modest-looking 12 wickets in the four Tests, MS Dhoni rated him the difference between the sides as England came from behind to win 2-1. No other seamer claimed more than four wickets.But Anderson has warned that, with so many Tests in such a short period, he will have to be “a bit sensible” in terms of managing his workload. He has endured a few absences due to injury in recent times, missing almost half of the 2015 Ashes due to a side strain, the start of the South Africa series with a calf injury and part of the Pakistan series with a shoulder injury. The signs that his heavy workload – among seamers, only Courtney Walsh, Glenn McGrath and Kapil Dev have bowled more deliveries in Test cricket – are beginning to tell.”It’s a tough one because as a player if you’re fit you want to play, simple as that, no matter what the format you’re desperate to play,” Anderson told Press Association Sport.”But there may well come a time when it will get managed. At 34 I probably have to manage myself, or be managed, quite well. You want, if possible, to play every Test but India is going to be five back to back and that’s a huge ask for any bowler.”We’re in constant discussion with the captain, coach and medical staff about the best scenario. We’ve got good backroom staff who are very switched on and it will be managed well.”You take it game by game. You can’t say now ‘I’ll miss the second Test of five’, because you might bowl 15 overs in the first game. So you be a bit sensible and there will probably come a point where we try to look and maybe I’ve got to sit out.”Anderson carried a heavy burden with the seam bowling in 2012 – Stuart Broad did not take a wicket in the series and was dropped after two Tests – but he expects greater assistance this time. The England team may well contain two seam-bowling allrounders – Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes – while Moeen Ali’s ability to bat in the top six provides the opportunity to play an extra bowler if required.But while Anderson welcomes the assistance, he still expects to have an important role to play in India and Bangladesh.”We’re fortunate now, with Stokesy and Mo, it looks after the seamers,” he said. “That’s a real bonus for us because it has been difficult in India when we’ve had just two seamers and two spinners.”But there’s a danger to go over there and expect spinners to take the wickets. There are still opportunities as a seamer, the ball swings out there and reverse swings later in the innings. You have to look at the positives and think how you can make an impact.”

Rangers have their eyes on a striker this summer, with The Scottish Sun reporting that Ike Ugbo is on the club's radar ahead of the transfer window.

Who are Rangers signing this summer?

The forward currently plays for Troyes in Ligue 1, where he has featured on 23 occasions this campaign with two goals and one assist. He's had to make do with minutes off the bench in the large part though, with the former Chelsea reserve man having only seven starts for his club.

The Canadian has played in a variety of different countries already in his career thanks to his time with the Blues. They initially loaned him out to Scunthorpe – in League One at the time – who gave him 15 games where he scored once. He was then shipped off to Roda JC in the Netherlands and then Cercle Brugge in Belgium. There, he thrived, managing a total of 16 goals in 32 league games – or a strike every other game. That led to a permanent switch to Genk before he ended up in France.

It now appears that Scotland may be the next team for the player to add to his list of clubs. That's because Rangers are keeping an eye on Ugbo according to The Scottish Sun, with boss Michael Beale familiar with the player thanks to his time with Chelsea.

The Scottish Premiership side may have to stump up £3.5m to bring him in but with the manager aware of the striker and his abilities and the club determined to add another forward option, it could be a fee they stump up. They will though, have to face Burnley in their efforts to secure his signature.

Who is Ike Ugbo?

The forward, known for his pace and someone who can dominate defenders, has become an international already since leaving Chelsea, with the player being capped eight times by Canada now.

Rangers then could be getting themselves a player who is familiar with different styles of play from his time spent in various different countries and a man who has proven in the past that he can bag plenty of goals.

Although unfamiliar with Scotland, if he were to be a regular with the side, then he may produce the goods in front of goal. This is backed up by the fact that he has netted 66 times in 166 games as a centre-forward, and if Beale signs and trusts Ugbo then, it could be a good addition for the club.

Sri Lanka’s transitioning limited-overs squad face yet another stern test in Pallekele against Australia, who cracked the dusty pitches as their batsmen steadily developed a taste for spin

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando05-Sep-2016Match factsSeptember 6, 2016
Start time 1900 local (1330 GMT)Big PictureSri Lanka may have the beginnings of a future-proof Test team, but in the shorter formats, the juggernaut that is their transition rolls relentlessly on. So long has it reigned now, it probably deserves to be capitalised: Transition. Perhaps in years to come, Sri Lankan historians will see fit to add a prefix, and it will become “The Great Transition”. Whatever the case, it continues to guzzle up players and spit out empty husks of international careers, chewing up those husks and spitting them up even emptier, fans wailing by the roadside in rags, a terrible limited-overs drought afflicting their once-lush land.Back together in this current squad are players like Chamara Kapugedara, Sachithra Senanayake and Thisara Perera, many of whom had been part of Sri Lanka’s T20 boom years, from 2009-2014, but their presence does not seem a guarantee the boom years will come again. The more experienced hands are as much on trial as the likes of Kasun Rajitha or Dasun Shanaka. A big, limited-overs breakthrough continues to evade them.Australia are without Aaron Finch and Chris Lynn, but through the ODI series, their bowlers cracked Sri Lanka’s dusty pitches, and the batsmen steadily developed a taste for spin. David Warner’s scored his first Asian limited-overs ton playing a more measured brand of cricket than he would have liked, but now that he is in the runs, the T20 format may bring the violence out of him. George Bailey seems the most assured batsman playing in this series. Even Mathew Wade and Travis Head look well-set to contribute.Like Sri Lanka, Australia had also exited this year’s World T20 at the end of the group stage, but during that campaign, had beaten Bangladesh and Pakistan, both of whom Sri Lanka had lost to in the preceding Asia Cup.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)

Australia: LWWLW
Sri Lanka: LLLLW
In the spotlightTillakaratne Dilshan has had an eventful week since playing his last ODI. He made veiled accusations about Angelo Mathews in the press conference after that match, and neither Mahela Jayawardene nor Kumar Sangakkara came off well in Dilshan’s verbal memoirs either. In addition to suggesting he did not have these players’ support during his captaincy, Dilshan has also taken umbrage at some team-mates “trying to rename the dilscoop by saying it is a shot a cricketer with no brain plays”. The comments have divided opinion, but Dilshan remains a draw card for one final series. He will want to give evidence to his claim that he could easily have played two more years.Adam Zampa’s T20 career began in South Africa, where he went wicketless in two games, but Asia has been kinder to him. He took five wickets across two games in the World T20, and has generally been economical, if a shade under-bowled. Having now imposed himself in Sri Lanka in the ODIs, claiming nine wickets at 20.77, the opposition will turn out on Tuesday with a plan to neutralise him. If Zampa can get through that trial, however, he will have made further headway in what is becoming a good limited-overs career.Teams newsThere are so many injuries and so many permutations with the Sri Lanka squad that pinning down an XI is difficult. Kusal Perera is likely to return to the top of the order. In the past, Sri Lanka have liked to stack their team with allrounders.Sri Lanka (possible): 1. Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Kusal Perera (wk), 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Dinesh Chandimal (capt.), 5 Chamara Kapugedara, 6 Milinda Siriwardana, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Sachith Pathirana, 9 Seekkuge Prasanna, 10 Sachithra Senanayake, 11 Kasun RajithaThe visitors’ XI is no less difficult to predict, as they have not played T20s since March. On current form, Mitchell Starc, James Faulkner, John Hastings and Zampa should make up the bulk of the attack.Australia(possible): 1 David Warner (capt.), 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 George Bailey, 4 Travis Head, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Matthew Wade, 7 James Faulkner, 8 Peter Nevill (wk), 9 John Hastings, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Adam ZampaPitch and conditionsThe Pallekele surface aids both quicks and spinners under lights, so the match is unlikely to be a high scorer. There is a small chance light showers could interrupt play. The game is already sold out.Stats and trivia Pallekele is the scene of Tillakaratne Dilshan’s lone T20 hundred, also against Australia, in 2011. In eight T20s between these sides, Sri Lanka have won six and lost two. George Bailey needs 30 runs to complete 500 in the format.

Jon Holland will join Australia’s squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle after a hamstring injury ruled Steve O’Keefe out of the remainder of the series

Daniel Brettig in Pallekele29-Jul-20162:01

Who is Jon Holland?

Left-arm spinner Jon Holland will join Australia’s squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle after a hamstring injury ruled Steve O’Keefe out of the remainder of the series.Having been chosen for Australia A off the back of an eight-wicket haul in the Sheffield Shield final, Holland is a likely inclusion for Galle opposite Nathan Lyon, as the pitch is expected to take plenty of turn.”Steve injured his right hamstring while chasing a ball in the field during the second session yesterday,” team physio David Beakley said. “Initial assessment indicates a moderate grade hamstring injury which means it is highly unlikely that he will be available for the remainder of the Test series.”Steve will remain with the squad in Kandy until the end of the Test and will undertake imaging on the injury upon his return to Australia.”Holland has been Victoria’s second spinner behind Fawad Ahmed in recent times, but has specialised in bowling well on helpful pitches whenever the Bushrangers have chosen two tweakers. He has toured with Australia once before, on a 2009 ODI tour of India.”It is incredibly disappointing for Steve to get this injury and I really feel for him,” national selector Rod Marsh said. “He was bowling well in the Test and had caused some trouble to Sri Lanka’s top order.”The selectors have decided to go for a like-for-like replacement for Steve, in Jon Holland. Jon had a good end to the Sheffield Shield season and is currently in Brisbane with Australia A as they prepare for a four-day match against South Africa A.”He will be on a plane as soon as possible and is a strong chance to make his debut in the Galle Test.”An injury to Ashton Agar had been the cause for Holland’s call up to Australia A, in addition to his exceptional record when called upon by Victoria. In three Shield matches over the past two seasons he has claimed 22 wickets at 16.41. Holland’s place in the Australia A squad will be taken by Glenn Maxwell.The Australia A captain Peter Handscomb spoke warmly of Holland, a Victoria team-mate. “Awesome to see a Victorian get called into the Australian squad,” he said. “Jon’s been toiling away for years, he’s been up there with the best spinners in the country for a long time now, and it’s great to see him get that opportunity. I have no doubt he’ll take it with both hands and do really well over there.”

Manchester United are eyeing up a summer move for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, but they will have to do battle for his signature with Chelsea, according to a report from Football Insider.

Who will sign Lautaro Martinez?

There are a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing Martinez this summer, with reports from Italy (via Sport Witness) detailing that Arsenal "could do everything" to win the race for the Inter forward.

Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the 25-year-old, with The Daily Mail reporting that he is the Blues' most likely centre-forward target, although like Man United, they could also look at signing Napoli's Victor Osimhen.

Erik Ten Hag is clearly a big fan of the Argentine, given that he is said to have identified him as a top target, with Man United preparing a transfer "proposal" of €70m (£60m), however a new update indicates that figure would not be high enough.

According to a report from Football Insider, Inter are set to demand a few of £69.5m for the striker this summer, given that he is currently contracted until 2026, meaning that there is no pressing need to sell him anytime soon.

Man United are still eyeing up a move for the Argentine, but they are set to face competition from Chelsea, with manager-elect Mauricio Pochettino believed to be a massive fan.

Given that they lack an out-and-out number nine, bringing in a new striker is a priority for the Red Devils this summer, and while their main focus is Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, Martinez may also be considered.

Should Man United sign Martinez?

Considering United were reportedly willing to spend £60m on the 48-time Argentina international, the news that Inter will ask for £69.5m should not be too much of an issue, and there is plenty of evidence he would be worth the money.

Hailed as "absolutely incredible" by members of the media, the former Racing Club man has been vital for Inter this season, recording an average WhoScored match rating of 7.19 in Serie A, the highest figure in the squad.

With 20 league goals to his name, the £184k-per-week star is the second-highest scorer in the Italian top flight, and he has also played a key role en-route to the Champions League final, picking up three assists and three goals, including one in the second leg of the semi-final.

Although £69.5m is still a huge amount of money, Martinez could be a viable lower-cost alternative to Kane and Osimhen, both of whom are expected to cost at least £100m this summer.

Anil Kumble has backed Virat Kohli’s aggressive approach, noting that he had been no different as a player, and adding that he would not curb anyone’s natural instincts

Shashank Kishore in Bangalore04-Jul-2016Anil Kumble, India’s new head coach, has said he will back Virat Kohli’s aggression and desire to push boundaries to secure wins. He also said India would approach tough situations positively during the long season, which starts with a four-Test series in the West Indies.”I love his aggression. I was no different,” Kumble said at the team’s pre-departure press conference in Bangalore. “I was also aggressive, but very different in terms of how I probably came across on the field. I’ll be the last person to curb someone’s natural instincts, but of course we all know how important it is to be ambassadors of India and be a part of the Indian cricket team. That everybody in the team understands. There is a fine line and we will ensure that everybody knows that. I certainly won’t curb anyone’s instincts.”Kohli, a picture of composure, wore a sheepish smile as talk of his “over aggression” did the rounds, but insisted that India’s mindset change wasn’t one-off, and that it was something they planned when he took over the reins of the Test team in January 2015.”Our first intention is to win – that won’t change,” he said. “Yes, there have been situations from where we’ve lost, but we know we were in that position because of the positive brand of cricket that we played.” The reference, clearly not lost on anyone, was the Adelaide Test in December 2014, which India lost trying to chase down 364 on the final day.”We need to realise we got there in the first place because we played at 80%, so the focus is on the remaining 20%. Anil ‘s mindset was the same during his playing days, so the mindset makes a difference. If you are hesitant, you don’t explore a different side to your ability as a team. Our motive is the same. We will play with the same mindset of trying to win the series and not just being satisfied with solitary Test wins.”As a follow-up, Kohli was asked about Test rankings, which he said were merely a byproduct of consistent cricket, and not the team’s primary aim. “High standards have different definitions,” he said. “The main goal is to play good cricket. Even if we’re No. 1 and someone else does better, there’s a chance they can overtake you. So that’s not our aim. The season is long, and we’re playing the same format over a length of time. So there’s an opportunity to use this stretch to challenge ourselves. That will give us a chance to assess ourselves and will determine how we play Test cricket over the next few years.”Where Kohli felt the team had benefited most during the week-long camp in Bangalore was in the players’ personal interactions with Kumble and the manner in which he may have broken down barriers within the group.”We haven’t had too many camps before, but I feel there’s already a lot that the team has benefited from,” Kohli said. “If you have experience of facing different situations in the past, you are better equipped. Understanding of skills and understanding of mindset are two different things. Mindset can’t be taught, but it comes only when you have faced tough situations, and that’s one big difference.”The information we’ve got from him about mental adjustments needed to win has been a big boost. He’s been more than willing to speak to everyone equally – the pacers, spinners, batsmen – and address their concerns. There’s an emotional connect with the coach, no doubt, but it’s about how he makes the players feel comfortable. That’s what I believe.”Anil has all those qualities in abundance. There’s huge respect within the group for what he’s achieved and also because he’s been Test captain. He understands that and makes them comfortable, so I feel the combination has settled in beautifully. He’s been involved with the players in some way or the other throughout.”Kohli brushed aside concerns over an elbow injury sustained by R Ashwin while batting during the camp, saying he had only suffered a bruise.When asked about Mohammed Shami’s return to the Test side for the first time since recovering from a long-term knee injury, Kohli enthused about his ability to generate reverse-swing. The skill was on display on his debut against West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where he returned match figures of 9 for 118 – the best figures by an Indian fast bowler on Test debut.”Shami is a skillful guy, we all know that. The way he bowls, the way he releases the ball, pitches the ball, it’s more or less perfect for Test cricket,” Kohli said. “The lines and lengths he bowls are always attacking. The best thing is when it’s seaming and swinging, he can bowl conventional lines and lengths. If it’s reverse-swinging, he knows exactly where to bring in the ball from. He has a great sense and feel of how to get batsmen out. We have been working with him on the mental strength aspect of his game. More consistency is something we push for him.”He’s eager to prove himself and come back after injury. We’ve seen when West Indies came to India in 2013, how he brought out his reverse-swing skills. Even in Adelaide in one of the sessions he brought us back into the game with two wickets. So he’s always someone on whom we can bank in terms of picking wickets. In short bursts, if you want a good attacking spell, Shami can deliver that for you. He’s got pace, a great bouncer – so he’s someone we always back because he knows he can take two-three wickets for us at any stage. I’m glad to have him back.”

Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is the current "favourite" for the Tottenham Hotspur job as journalist James Nursey shares what he knows.

What's the latest Spurs manager news?

Chairman Daniel Levy has a crucial summer transfer window looming after a topsy-turvy season at Spurs – one which has seen the departures of both manager Antonio Conte and sporting director Fabio Paratici.

Both crucial figureheads just six months ago, Tottenham now have to consider replacing the Italian duo ahead of what will be a very interesting 2023/2024 Premier League campaign.

In the meantime, interim boss Ryan Mason is tasked with finishing this season as strongly as possible, with Europa League qualification still firmly on the table.

Levy, according to recent reports, has already completed the due-diligence stage of his managerial search and is set to step up talks with candidates.

His list of contenders to replace Conte includes Nagelsmann, former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim and even Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso (The Evening Standard).

Nagelsmann, who was recently subject to a shock dismissal by Bayern, stands out as a very enticing option given his free agent status and glowing reputation.

Reporter Nursey, writing in an article for The Mirror, has an update on Spurs' links to the 35-year-old – claiming that he is the "favourite" as things stand.

Indeed, Nagelsmann is seemingly in pole position to succeed Conte right now, with the report also stating that he is "interested in the role".

Spurs are apparently set for further talks with Nagelsmann, but Levy is said to be on the hunt for Paratici's replacement as well – a task which may well be brought to the forefront.

What could Nagelsmann bring to Spurs?

As well as being called a "phenomenal" tactical innovator by sections of the press, RB Leipzig's ex-coach has received glowing endorsements from some of world football's most elite managers.

Speaking all the way back in 2017, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp tipped Nagelsmann to be a success during his Hoffenheim days, claiming he is a big, big coaching talent.

He said this to national media before the Reds' Champions League group stage clashes with Hoffenheim that season:

"I’m really happy for my friend and agent because I’m the old horse in the stable and there’s a young horse already!”

“He’s a big, big coaching talent. We don’t know each other very well but I’ve followed his way because I like good football.

“He’s not the only one but he’s a good example of a lot of really good young managers in Germany."

Newcastle United ceded ground for the second successive week in the Premier League but avoided defeat at a raucous Elland Road and preserved their advantage in the race for Champions League qualification.

Advancing to 66 points after 35 matches, Newcastle retain their place in third and perch four points above fifth-placed Liverpool; effectively, two wins from the remaining three matches would be enough to secure a top-four place.

Eddie Howe’s side were uncharacteristically stagnant in their defensive duties early on and allowed a slick Leeds manoeuvre to result in Luke Ayling thumping into the net from close range despite a fine save from shot-stopper Nick Pope to prevent the initial headed effort from Rodrigo.

It was a frenetic affair that saw the Magpies clamber back to lead through the in-form Callum Wilson’s brace from the penalty spot, after Whites striker Patrick Bamford saw his effort saved in the first half, squandering the sterling opportunity to double his outfit’s lead.

Defeat certainly could have been on the cards, but Pope once more cut an imperious figure between the sticks, commanding and composed, and secured what could prove to be an invaluable point on the road.

How did Pope perform against Leeds?

Pope has been nothing short of a revelation since his summer arrival from Burnley for just £10m. Unflappable between the sticks, the 31-year-old has made 35 appearances in the Premier League and kept 13 clean sheets.

Against Leeds, he was integral once again, recording a match rating of 6.9 – as per Sofascore – and making two saves, three clearances, winning both his high claims and succeeding on both occasions when running out, with reporter Dominic Scurr stating he came “to the rescue” for his side with his massive penalty save.

The £60k-per-week titan’s ball-playing aptitude was also vital to ensuring the Tyneside outfit swiftly found success on the transition, making 22 touches, completing 91% of his passes and succeeding with three of his four attempted long balls.

The ten-cap England international was given an 8/10 match rating by Newcastle World, who said: “Beaten by Ayling and a deflected Kristensen shot but can’t be faulted. A vital save from Bamford’s penalty before reacting to the rebound.”

Over the past year, Pope ranks among the top 7% of goalkeepers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past 365 days for save percentage and the top 14% for crosses stopped per 90, as per FBref, with such metrics underscored yet again by his confident display at the foot of Howe’s team.

The importance of the next three games cannot be understated for the success of Newcastle’s season, but with Pope exuding confidence in abundance, that coveted goal of returning to Champions League football might just be achieved.

South Africa captain AB de Villiers is looking for a more dynamic performance from his team as they come up against what he believes is a more consistent West Indies team

Firdose Moonda15-Jun-20162:02

‘Need to operate better as a team’ – de Villiers

South Africa captainAB de Villiers is looking for a more dynamic performance from his team as they come up against what he believes is a more consistent West Indies team. The two sides will meet for the second time in the round-robin stage of the ongoing ODI tri-series in Basseterre on Wednesday.”They’re not as unpredictable as they used to be. They’ve become a really good ODI unit,” de Villiers said of West Indies. “They seem to know what they’re doing – they’ve got world-class players both in the batting line-up and the bowling line-up. They’re a force to be reckoned with, especially in their home conditions. They know what to expect.”West Indies have won two of their three matches – one each against South Africa and Australia – in their first ODI series at home in almost two years. They last played a 50-over series at home in August 2014, when they beat Bangladesh 3-0. Before that, they lost series against England (2-1) and Pakistan (3-1) in February 2014 and July 2013 respectively.The most noticeable difference between the West Indies side of 2014 and the current squad is the absence of players like Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, but senior players like Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Marlon Samuels have emerged as the superstars of this series for West Indies so far and the only way de Villiers can see South Africa matching up is as a collective. “They’ve got world-class players all round but we’re just going to have to top that and have a better team performance. That’s the word that stands out for me – us operating as a team which was something we didn’t do well in the last game [against Australia].”South Africa’s batting has been a tale of two halves with the top five getting starts but only two of the bottom six getting into double figures in the three matches so far. Their only reserve batsman, Dean Elgar, plays in the top five, which means that to include him they would have to do away with a bowler. The other option is to bring in the other allrounder, Chris Morris. Either way, de Villiers hinted changes would be in order.”I’m a big believer, in a series like this, where there are three different venues, that you’ve got to chop and change the whole time; try not to be predictable but, at the same time, try and be consistent with your performances,” he said. “We’ve let ourselves down once or twice in the performances department but I’ve really enjoyed the way we’ve changed the balance of the side. All the guys who came in performed really well individually but as a team we haven’t clicked yet. That will be our focus – really operating together as a team, gelling nicely together, and I believe we’ll play those pressure situations much better.”De Villiers admitted there was a sense of “doom and gloom” after South Africa’s 36-run loss to Australia last Saturday, when they slipped from 210 for 4 to 252 all out in a 289-run chase. The South Africa captain, however, chose to focus on the other, more positive, side of their game – the bowling.”Our bowling department’s been really good. The bowling skills have been as good as they’ve been in the last two or three years,” he said. “I’ve seen guys really nailing their yorkers. When I’ve asked for bouncers, really good aggressive bouncers have been bowled. Skill-wise everyone who has come in has got it right. There’s been just one or two no-balls too many. Maybe it’s just a bit of a lack of that unit that I’ve been talking about, playing together as a team.”