Chance for SL to create history against West Indies

• Take on West Indies in 3 T20Is at Dambulla tomorrow
• Inclement weather a factor

Sri Lanka T20I Captain  Charith Asalanka	West Indies T20I Captain Rovman Powell

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

In T20I contests between the two sides, Sri Lanka has the edge over the West Indies winning 8 and losing 7 out of 15 matches, but where Sri Lanka lag behind is that they have yet to win a bilateral series against the Caribbeans.

In three bilateral series Sri Lanka has managed to draw once (1-1) in 2015, and lose twice 2-0 in 2020 and 2-1 in 2021.

The three-match T20I series commencing at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium tomorrow gives Sri Lanka a chance to set the record straight.

If they can do that by the end of the series, it will be another feather in the cap of Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya who since taking over the reins has been rewriting the record books with the Sri Lanka team.

His first achievement was beating India in an ODI series (2-0) after 27 years in August. This was followed by a Test win against England at the Oval after 26 years which was also their first win in England in 10 years. Last month Sri Lanka won a Test series (2-0) against New Zealand after 15 years.

Jayasuriya has turned around the fortunes of both the ODI and Test teams. The series against West Indies offers him the opportunity to repeat that success with the T20I side.

Following their success in the Tests and ODIs, Sri Lanka has moved up the ICC rankings to 5th in Tests and 7th in ODIs. They are still languishing at 8th in the T20I rankings and the West Indies series against West Indies who are ranked 3rd will present a good challenge in the next few days.

What could stand in the way is the prevailing weather conditions. Dambulla, which is generally a dry area, has not been spared. Sri Lanka had to cancel a practice session on Thursday, but yesterday they managed to somewhat play a practice match under lights after a late start.  

With the exception of a 2-1 loss to Australia, West Indies have been unbeatable in their last six bilateral T20I series. This includes South Africa thrice, India and England, all top ranked T20I nations. So it is with this proud record that West Indies under the leadership of Rovman Powell approach the series against Sri Lanka.

However, they will be without four of their senior players who have figured prominently in their victories Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer and Akeal Hosein, all of whom have opted out for personal reasons. Nevertheless, West Indies have in their ranks four players – Captain Rovman Powell, Fabian Allen, Andre Fletcher and Sherfane Rutherford who have played in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) and are familiar with Sri Lankan conditions and wickets. 

Head Coach Daren Sammy, no stranger to Sri Lanka, who now leads a revamped selection system said, “The tour of Sri Lanka gives us a chance to test our depth and assess players in different situations, especially with several senior players missing out for various reasons, including a need for rest and rehabilitation from injury. We are confident in the squad’s ability to compete strongly against Sri Lanka.”

Sammy will have fond memories of Sri Lanka for it was under his leadership that West Indies won the T20 World Cup at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in 2012 defeating the hosts in the final.

SRI LANKA T20I SQUAD: Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, Asitha Fernando

WEST INDIES T20I SQUAD: Rovman Powell (Captain), Roston Chase (Vice-Captain), Fabian Allen, Alick Athanaze, Andre Fletcher, Terrance Hinds, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer