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West Indies Preparing to Open Test Account in Sri Lanka

Sudev Haldar
2 years ago

Sri Lanka too weak to attract them, and too geopolitically unstable, had a frequent touring schedule anyway. But still, since 1993, these teams have met eleven times in Sri Lanka. They have drawn only four of those games – three on a severely rain-hit tour in late 2010.

Chris Gayle scored a triple century in Galle, Brian Lara scored 351 runs in a match in Colombo, and 688 runs in that three-match series, but it must be one of the more surprising facts of cricket that West Indies never played a Test. SriLanka has won. Partly this is due to them not having played on the island in the 1980s.

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In the Next Series, Against Sri Lanka, in the Caribbean, he Established a Substantial First Innings Lead in Both Matches.

On paper it doesn’t look like the West Indies team will improve that record, but it is clear that this is a better team. His batting, for one, looks better than in 2016. When he last visited Sri Lanka. On their most recent trip to South Asia, West Indies set a chase for the ages. Debutant Kyle Meyers hit an unbeaten 210 as West Indies chased down 385 runs in Chattogram. He also won the second Test in Dhaka. In the next series, against Sri Lanka, in the Caribbean, he established a substantial first innings lead in both matches, even though they were ultimately drawn out.

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Sri Lanka is not Ready to Break up Yet

Sri Lanka is not ready for the break yet. Tests are still probably their safest format. But there’s a little volatility around this outfit that can make them fantastically weak. The series has seen the return of several senior players – including Angelo Mathews – who inducted players during a months-long contract standoff with the board. It is also Mickey Arthur’s final Test series as coach, and the likes of batting coach Grant Flower and bowling coach Chaminda Vaas are not guaranteed his position next year.

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On that Front, SL will See a Significant Edge

Since both the matches are to be played in Galle. So the series is likely to be decided for a spin. How will these flawed teams use it? How will they play it? On that front, Sri Lanka will see a significant edge, especially after a rain-filled match of the tour of West Indies in Colombo.

Kyle Meyers may have created more buzz this year, but West Indies’ most consistent batsman, by a slim margin, has been their captain, Craig Brathwaite. In 2021, he has scored 556 runs at 34.75. And most of his 16 innings have come against the new Duke ball, admirable numbers. But does he struggle against spin bowling, on the turning track?

He had an excellent tour of the United Arab Emirates in 2016. But his numbers in Asia (average 28.87), with his 328 from that series, lag behind his career figures. If he can spend enough time at the crease (in his trademark shades-and-helmet), West Indies will make a greater impact than in 2016, when they lost 2-0.

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66, 118, 244, 75 – So read on Dimuth Karunaratne’s last four Test innings. The problem is that the most recent of these came in May. So it’s not like you can say that he comes in series in form. However, hardly a home Test series passes without his serious contribution. And he is especially good at Galle. Where he has produced exceptional innings on tough pitches. West Indies bowlers will be desperate to neutralize him quickly.

The surface is likely to be spin friendly. But with the amount of rain lashing all parts of the country, the pitch is not likely to be very dry. Given that Northeast Monsoon is still on. Interruption of continuous rain is expected especially in the afternoon.

Sri Lanka Thought of Making Charit Aslanka’s Debut

Sri Lanka had thought of giving Charit Aslanka his debut, but it appeared that they could opt for a heavy bowling instead of fielding offspin-bowling all-rounder Ramesh Mendis (Dhananjaya de Silva) apart from two legspinners – Lasith Embuldeniya and Praveen Jayawickrama. Will go along also has to contribute with your brakes).

Dinesh Chandimal is likely to do the wicketkeeping. Niroshan Dickwella has been suspended for a year in England for breaking the Covid protocol.

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Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), 2 Pathum Nisanka, 3 Oshada Fernando, 4 Angelo Mathews, 5 Dhananjaya de Silva, 6 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 7 Ramesh Mendis, 8 Suranga Lakmal, 9 Lasith Embuldeniya, 10 Dushmantha Chamira, 11 Praveen Jayavikrama.

Trinidadian opener Jeremy Solozano could also be in line to make his debut as Brathwaite’s opening partner. With Roston Chase capable of delivering half-decent offspin, West Indies will also have to decide which O.

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