Sri Lanka will look to bounce back into recognition when they begin a three-match One Day International (ODI) series against the West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua today (10).
The Lankans will be determined to make an impact in this ODI series after having earlier suffered a 1-2 Twenty20 series defeat at the hands of the same opponents.
Even then, history is in favour of the Lankans as they made a clean sweep over the West Indies at home exactly one year ago under the captaincy of Dimuth Karunaratne with Wanindu Hasaranga claiming the Player of the Series Award on that occasion.
But this time Sri Lanka will be under pressure to keep that momentum as they will take the field at the backdrop of some uncertainty with their batsmen still struggling to get into terms.
However, the West Indies will be out to avenge their last year’s defeat with an improved performance having regained the services of some of their key players. No doubt, their success in the concluded Twenty20 series will be a good morale booster for the West Indies who will play Sri Lanka for the first time at this venue.
However, Sri Lanka did have one appearance at this venue but that was against England during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup where the Islanders triumphed by two runs in a ‘Super Eight’ fixture.
In contrast, the West Indies have a dismal record at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium having won just three ODIs from their 13 outings.
This match will also be part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League in which Sri Lanka are placed eighth while the West Indies are in ninth place.
West Indies Squad: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Lendl Simmons and Kevin Sinclair.
Sri Lanka Squad: Angelo Mathews, Ashen Bandara, Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal, Akila Dananjaya, Niroshan Dickwella, Asitha Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Suranga Lakmal, Dilshan Madushanka, Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Pradeep and Lakshan Sandakan. (Agencies)
0 comments:
Post a Comment