Big picture
Cricket is back in the Caribbean. Sri Lanka’s last visit was for a three-game test series, which ended with both sides sharing the booty. The last time the West Indies hosted Sri Lanka for a bilateral limited-series series was in 2008, while the most recent bout between the two teams was in Sri Lanka almost exactly a year ago – a two-game T20I series, which The West Indies swept comfortably. It was the last piece of cricket played by either of these teams before Covid-19 put an end to just about everything.
Sri Lanka has not done very well in the limited cricket it has played since then. The test series losses to England and South Africa, while not entirely unexpected, nevertheless added a bit more woe to the gloom given the nature of those losses.
Then there’s the little question of Sri Lanka’s build-up in this series, which has been chaotic to put it mildly. With several senior players missing, either through injury or lack of fitness after time spent in training linked to Covid, the number of experienced activists available on the squad can be counted with one hand. Their captain Dasun Shanaka, meanwhile, who was lucky enough to avoid one of these problems, is absent because he could not pay his visa on time. And then there’s the issue of the team’s fast bowling coach withdrawing from the tour at the eleventh hour due to a salary dispute – which the country’s sports minister said would impact on young players on tour. And that’s without even touching the fact that Sri Lanka hasn’t won a game of cricket in the past year.
While the West Indies haven’t done much better lately, their recent victory in the test series in Bangladesh will see them stepping into the most dynamic outfit just as easily – in fact, the many new faces of the Lankan side would do well. . taking inspiration from the highly unlikely victory of their opponents with a second string outfit.
For both teams, however, with the 2021 T20 World Cup looming closer, the series will serve as much to build confidence as it does to craft their best combinations.
Form Guide
West Indies: LLWWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Sri Lanka: LLLLL
In the spotlight
Wanindu Hasaranga was undoubtedly the league star of the Lankan League at the end of last year. While its effectiveness in the recently concluded test run against England and South Africa has shown its shortcomings in the longer format, its impact in the shorter variants cannot be underestimated. He topped the wicket charts with 17-1.29, while conceding less than a run per shot, and scored his 127 points at a 160.75 hit rate. With his legspin and shot in order, he positioned himself as a true winner of the match.
Chris Gayle is back in the West Indies T20 after an absence of almost two years. During her two outings for the Quetta Gladiators in the PSL earlier this month, Gayle looked close to her devastating best. He has since spoken of his desire to help the West Indies win another T20 World Cup, even if it means putting the bar under the bar. Even at the age of 41, a fit and motivated Gayle is a godsend for almost any camp.
Team news
While several big names have missed out on the squad, much of the Sri Lankan squad are still picking themselves up – although that means coach Mickey Arthur has a few options for giving some of the younger players some playing time. In preparing for the game, he spoke of the pitch potentially helping the rotation, and with that in mind, Ramesh Mendis with his stolen offbreaks and batting prowess could be a practical inclusion.
Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2 Danushka Gunathilaka, 3 Oshada Fernando, 4 Dinesh Chandimal, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Thisara Perera, 7 Ramesh Mendis, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Nuwan Pradeep, 10 Dushmantha Chameera , 11 Akila Dananjaya.
Oshane Thomas, Sheldon Cottrell and Shimron Hetmyer – all three played a key role in the West Indies’ victory in the T20I series in Sri Lanka last year, and all three failed a fitness test. It has meant callbacks for Fidel Edwards, Jason Holder, Dwayne Bravo and Gayle – all of whom bring experience in spades. With head coach Phil Simmons saying rotation will be kept to a minimum with an eye on the World Cup, it is also likely that spinners Akeal Hosein and Fabian Allen will see playing time.
West Indies (possible): 1 Lendl Simmons, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Chris Gayle, 4 Nicholas Pooran, 5 Kieron Pollard (capt), 6 Rovman Powell, 7 Fabian Allen, 8 Jason Holder, 9 Dwayne Bravo, 10 Akeal Hosein, 11 Fidel Edwards .
Steps and conditions
The Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua is known for its asymmetrical boundaries, which means bowlers on both sides will need to watch their lines closely. The pitch itself is expected to take a certain turn which will suit both sides in anticipation of potentially similar surfaces at the T20 World Cup in India later this year.
Statistics and anecdotes
- Chris Gayle last played a T20I in March 2019. The West Indies have played 18 games since.
- Sri Lanka have won six of their first seven T20Is against the West Indies (losing only the 2012 World T20 final in that race). They have since lost each of the last four meetings.
- Sri Lanka have not won a match for a year. They lost six games during this period: four tests (two each against South Africa and England), and the two T20Is against the West Indies in March 2020.
- The West Indies have won five and lost seven of their T20Is under Kieron Pollard.
Quote
“It’s an opportunity for some young players to step up, now that we are short of our regular players. I can’t wait to see these young players come out and get the job done, and show us what they have.” The morale of the team is great, the guys are so good, they get along and get the job done. “
Sri Lanka Head Coach Mickey arthur supports his young guard to put the chaotic series behind them
“We see what Chris Gayle did in his last IPL stint. He shows that both with the bat and on the pitch he looks fitter and feels better and he always hits the ball like we want to see him do. saw Fidel in the last CPL and we saw he can still muster over 90mph with his scorching yorkers. So it’s great to have both with us. “Head Coach of the West Indies Phil simmons expresses support for returning veterans