COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CMC) – West Indies captain Darren Sammy has described as crucial the three-day tour match against a Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI starting today.
The game is the only fixture prior to the opening Test next week and the newly appointed skipper said it was important that the tourists use the game to grab valuable match practice.
“This is a very serious match for us. We want to make sure we are ready for the Test matches, which are just around the corner,” Sammy said yesterday.
“This match will present an opportunity for the batsmen to spend a lot of time at the crease and get used to the conditions here in Sri Lanka.
“We have some batsmen in the team who are new to Sri Lankan pitches, so everyone is keen to make the most of the opportunities.”
West Indies arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday and have hit the ground running, spending the last two days in solid training sessions at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
The preparation comes on the heels of a short training camp in Barbados prior to the team’s departure and Sammy noted the game would also be a good gauge of the team match fitness.
“Traditionally the pitches here in Sri Lanka are good for batting, so the bowlers will also get a chance to have a good run and see what is required,” said the 26-year-old all-rounder.
“We had an excellent camp in Barbados and two days of solid training here. We are now at the business end of the tour. We will be looking to play this match as hard as we will play in the Test matches.”
West Indies face an uphill task on what is expected to be a tough series, against a strong Sri Lanka side boasting the likes of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.
They have lost seven of their last nine Tests to Sri Lanka and have not beaten the Asian side in a series in 13 years.
Sammy said, however, they would be looking to reverse this losing trend this time around.
“This is a very important series for us as a team. We have not been doing that well in recent years but we are a committed team and we are looking to do well in this series,” he pointed out.
“Sri Lanka play very well at home but we are not daunted. We have the confidence that we can come here and win. For us in the West Indies, cricket is more that a game.
“All the players here are committed. We are going to bring back the passion and the pride and also perform to take the West Indies back up the ladder.”
The game will bowl off at 10:00 h (12:30 h Eastern Caribbean Time) at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Tour schedule:
November 10-12: v Sri Lanka President’s XI at SSC, Colombo
November 15-19: 1st Test at Galle International Stadium, Galle
November 23-27: 2nd Test at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
December 1-5: 3rd Test at Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Kandy
December 9: 1st ODI at Suriyawewa Stadium, Hambantota
December 11: 2nd ODI at Suriyawewa Stadium, Hambantota
December 15: 3rd ODI at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
December 17: 4th ODI at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
December 19: 5th ODI at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
December 21: T20 International at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.