Sri Lanka cannot side-step Windies

by Ranjan Anandappa

After a lackadaisical 0-2 defeat in the Test matches the West Indies are hoping to bounce back with an aggressive approach when they take on Sri Lanka in their first of the three ODI matches which will begin at the R.Premadasa Stadium under lights today.

However, the prevailing weather pattern in the island may play a decisive role in the outcome of the game with the reduced number of overs and the D/L system coming into play. But if the weather gods are kind an absorbing contest between two sides of equal strength could provide the maximum entertainment for the crowd.

The limited overs contest between the two countries began in 1975 at the inaugural Prudential World Cup in 1975 in England prior to Sri Lanka gaining full Test status.

Sri Lanka playing in their first game (60 overs per side in the tournament) was blown off for a paltry total and lost badly against the West Indies led by the present Chairman of Selectors of West Indies Cricket Clive Hubert Lloyd which included the much vaunted pace attack of Andy Roberts, Keith Boyce, Bernard Julien and Vanburn Holder.

The Sri Lanka team was captained by Anura Tennekoon.

In the second game Sri Lanka came back storming against the mighty Australians who were shaken by a fine batting display by the islanders who were chasing a victory target of 330 in 60 overs. Sri Lanka scored 276 for 6 in their 60 overs.

The Sri Lankan run chase was rather crippled by the Aussie paceman Jeff Thomson who felled opener Sunil Wettimuny (53 retired hurt) and Duleep Mendis 32 also retired hurt. But all that is history, and now Sri Lanka is on par or even performing better than the West Indians.

The West Indians recorded a morale boosting win in their warm-up one day game on Friday after they were in dire straits at 109 for 7 in the 30th over, but the eight wicket pair of Carlos Brathwaite ( 113 off 58 balls) and Andre Russell blasted the Sri Lanka Board attack adding 193 runs off 99 deliveries with 16 fours and 13 sixes.

Both teams consist of a blend of youth and experience which will help establish themselves for the future with a good performance.

The West Indies should bank on the their experienced players like Marlon Samuels who failed to make any worthwhile contribution in the concluded Tests.

He will be hoping to make his presence felt along with Darren Bravo, Andre Russell and former skipper and wicket keeper Denesh Ramdin who have not lived up to expectations.

Sri Lanka has included Danushka Gunatilleka and Shehan Jayasuriya both of whom faired prominently in the recently concluded 'A' tour of New Zealand. There is also leg spinner Jeffrey Vandersay who could make a strong claim.

Gunatilleka will most probably open the batting with one day specialist TM Dilshan.

Lahiru Thirimanne who was dropped from the final Test has made some sort of a claim by scoring 41 in the warm -up one day game. Allrounder Nuwan Kulasekera has also made a comeback after a lay off since playing in the 2015 World Cup.

The team also has two regular wicket keepers in Kusal Perera who played in the Tests and Dinesh Chandimal who has been named as the keeper in the one-day squad.

Teams:

Sri Lanka from: Angelo Mathews (Captain), Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal, TM Dilshan, Danushka Gunatilleka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Nuwan Kulasekera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Kusal Perera, Sachitra Senanayake, Milinda Siriwardene, Lahiru Thirimanne and Jeffrey Vandersay.

West Indies from: Jason Holder (Captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels and Jerome Taylor.