Lanka to play all matches at WI-favoured venue Antigua

Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua is the venue for Sri Lanka’s Test and ODI matches in West Indies

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

The Sri Lanka cricket team are scheduled to play their entire itinerary of eight matches (including a two-day warm-up) during their tour of the West Indies in Antigua under a bio-secure environment from 3 March to 2 April.

The three-match T20I series will take place at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua that will host an international match for the first time and the three-match ODIs which forms part of the World Cup Super League and the two Tests that are part of the World Test Championship will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium (SVRS) in Antigua.

Antigua with its fast and bouncy pitches has been a favoured venue for West Indies winning three of the eight Test matches played there so far, losing two and drawing three.

It was at this venue that West Indies beat England by 10 wickets in 2019 and a year before bundled out Bangladesh for their lowest Test total 43.

Fast bowler Kemar Roach has been West Indies’ most successful bowler at this venue capturing 30 wickets (avg. 14.90) from five Tests. West Indies Test captain Jason Holder (15) and Shannon Gabriel (14) are the next best two wicket-takers. All three of them are expected to feature in the two Tests against Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka’s Tour Schedule

23 February: Team’s Departure to the Caribbean

3 March: 1st T20I – CCG, Antigua

5 March: 2nd T20I – CCG, Antigua

7 March: 3rd T20I – CCG, Antigua

10 March: 1st ODI – SVRS, Antigua

12 March: 2nd ODI – SVRS, Antigua

14 March: 3rd ODI (D/N) – SVRS, Antigua

17 and 18 March: 2-Day Warm-Up – CCG, Antigua

21-25 March: 1st Test Match – SVRS, Antigua

29 March-2 April: 2nd Test Match – SVRS, Antigua