News St Lucia elements see teams throw caution to the wind Batters have looked to hit with the breeze while bowlers try to utilise it in their defence Matt Roller 21-Jun-2024 • 1 hr ago Aiden Markram's stunning catch of Harry Brook would have been easier without the wind to contend with • ICC/Getty Images At 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.
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