–Guyanese Smith, Permaul among selectees

SEVERAL of the outstanding performers in the recent series triumph in Bangladesh will be back in action as the West Indies prepare for their Test series versus the Sri Lankans. The occasion will be the “Best v Best” four-day match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, starting today at 10:00hrs (9:00am Jamaica time).
The match will be played under the Test match regulations with a minimum of 90 overs per day, as West Indies look to finetune their preparations for the two-Test series against the visiting Sri Lankans. Kraigg Brathwaite, who led the team expertly in the two wins in Chattogram and Dhaka, and Rahkeem Cornwall, who bowled immaculately in both matches, are eager to continue the good work, and get even better. The upcoming Tests will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, which, for Cornwall, will be a childhood dream come true.

“We had a great series in Bangladesh and I’m looking forward to this upcoming series against Sri Lanka. To beat them on their home turf was great. We worked really hard to get those two wins. It’s a great feeling when you win! Test cricket is hard and you feel a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment when you get the best results,” Cornwall said. “We have been putting in a lot of work in the nets as part of the preparation and this match, starting Monday with the ‘best v best’ will be the ideal kind of start we need. I have been looking forward to it for a very long time.”
Brathwaite was the mastermind behind the great wins. The first was a miraculous triumph by three wickets, followed 10 days later by an equally magnificent display as they won by 17 runs. Now, he is looking ahead to the home series with great expectations. The West Indies last Test series at home was against India in August to September, 2019.

“Going forward to the Sri Lanka series, it’s key or us to keep that same attitude we have in Bangladesh. That attitude started from the training and carried over into the games on the field. I thought how we got to the result was the [key], we have to maintain that discipline and that mindset. This ‘Best v Best’ game is something I’m really looking forward to. A number of the payers will be looking to get some good performances. It’s the right kind of preparations going into a Test series,” Brathwaite said.
Squad “A”: Kraigg Brathwite (captain), Shamarh Brooks, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Derval Green, Keon Harding, Shimron Hetmyer, Kavem Hodge, Paul Palmer jr, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieran Powell, Preston McSween, Jayden Seales. Squad “B”: Roston Chase (captain), Sunil Ambris, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Imran Khan, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Raymon Reifer, Nial Smith, Jomel Warrican.
Umpires: Patrick Gustard, Carl Tuckett