Sri Lanka look to maintain unbeaten run against West Indies

Rex Clementine in Galle

West Indies never played bilateral cricket against Sri Lanka when they were a strong force in the world. They eventually did in 1993 after then Board Secretary S. Skandakumar appealed for regular fixtures. Since then, they have made several visits to the island and have played 11 Test matches, but never won one. Of the 11 Tests played in Sri Lanka between the teams, seven have been won by the hosts and four have been drawn. Can Sri Lanka maintain that unbeaten run when the two match series gets underway today at the Galle International Stadium?

West Indies have done fairly well in Test cricket this year. They won a series in Bangladesh and drew against Sri Lanka and Pakistan at home. The confidence of the West Indies side is pretty good after they blanked Bangladesh 2-0 in similar conditions.

Jermaine Blackwood, West Indies vice-captain and one of their senior players with 41 Tests to his credit echoed similar sentiments.

“We came here to win. Our guys are hungry and you can see that in their eyes. I was here in 2016 when we lost both Tests. It didn’t feel good. We are a decent team and we are ready to break the shackles and win games this time around,” Blackwood said.

This is Sri Lanka’s first series in the World Test Championship. Each Test match carries 12 points and if Sri Lanka win both games they will secure 24 points.

Head Coach Mickey Arthur welcomed the seniors who have been recalled to the side after being axed from the one-day outfits.

“They are very crucial in our Test team. If you take our captain Dimuth Karunaratne, his last knock in Test cricket was a double hundred. Angelo is one of the great players in the game. Suranga Lakmal is so crucial for us with the new ball and he is a wonderful player. It’s great to have them back and their experience is going to be vital,” Arthur said.

This is Arthur’s last assignment with Sri Lanka. His contract ends in December and with SLC not keen to renew his contract, he took up an offer with English county Derbyshire. “I am happy I am leaving the team in a far better place than I found it. I see our players getting better and exciting times are ahead. Looking at the larger picture, it is so important that we win both Test matches as this is the start of new cycle in the World Test Championship,” Arthur added.

Former Sri Lanka Under-19 captain Charith Asalanka after an impressive T-20 World Cup is tipped to make his Test debut at his hometown.

Teams:

West Indies (From)

Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Jeremy Solozano and Jomel Warrican.

Sri Lanka (From)

Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kamil Mishara, Minod Bhanuka, Roshen Silva, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lakshan Sandakan, Suminda Lakshan, Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando and Chamika Gunasekara.

Umpires:

Kumar Dharmasena and Ruchira Palliyaguruge

Third Umpire:

Raveendra Wimalasiri

Match Referee:

Ranjan Madugalle