Cricket News By TODAYLIVESCORE.INFO - West Indies look to end winless Test run in Sri Lanka. Will West Indies reprise their promising performance against Bangladesh early this year?
Will West Indies reprise their promising performance against Bangladesh early this year?
It was a disappointing maiden World Test Championship run for both Sri Lanka and West Indies, who finished seventh and eighth respectively in the 2019-2021 cycle. Looking to right the wrongs in the second edition, both sides will be keen to start on a good note. West Indies have already played two Tests against Pakistan in August this year, winning one and losing one, while this will be Sri Lanka's first series in the new WTC cycle.
West Indies do not have too many happy memories of Galle, where they will be playing both the Test matches. Besides Chris Gayle 333* feat at this venue in 2010, West Indies have two losses and no wins in three matches played here. The last time they played at this venue, they suffered an innings defeat in 2015. Adding to this, Sri Lanka haven't lost a single Test match at home against West Indies, who have history going against them.
But what West Indies do have is an experienced outfit knowing what it takes to win a Test match in Asian conditions. Earlier this year, they won a couple of Tests in Bangladesh despite being run close by the opposition in both games.
Kraigg Brathwaite and his squad of 15, which includes former skipper Jason Holder, has only one new face in Jeremy Solozano. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have a blend of youth and experience in a 22-member squad announced for this series. The Dimuth Karunaratne-led side has four uncapped players – Charith Asalanka, Kamil Mishara, Suminda Lakshan and Chamika Gunasekara – while the experienced Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal are also part of the set up.
Sri Lanka did not manage a single series win in the last WTC cycle, while their last series victory came at home – dating back to July 2018. With head coach Mickey Arthur also set to leave for Derbyshire after this series, Sri Lanka will be hoping to bid him farewell with that elusive series win.
When: November 21-25 at 10:00 AM Local Time
Where: Galle International Stadium, Galle
What to expect: Spin has played a big role in some of the recent Tests in Galle, and the trend is likely to continue. However, it has been raining in recent days, and there might be some help for the pacemen early on.
Team news:
Sri Lanka: Following his good showing at the T20 WC, Asalanka is in line for a Test debut. Paceman Dushmantha Chameera returns to the team having missed Sri Lanka's previous Test series due to family commitments. Chandimal is likely to don the ‘keeper gloves with Niroshan Dickwella serving a one-year ban for breaching the bio-bubble in England.
Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Minod Bhanuka, Roshen Silva, Ramesh Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Chamika Karunaratne, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Suminda Lakshan, Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Chamika Gunasekara.
West Indies: Shannon Gabriel returns to the West Indies set up having missed the Tests against Pakistan due to a hamstring injury. It however remains to be seen if he gets a game, with Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales and Holder likely to form the pace attack. New-comer Solozano is likely to open with skipper Brathwaite.
Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), 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, Jomel Warrican.
