COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, CMC- Former West Indies test captain Denesh Ramdin says he expects leg spinner Devendra Bishoo to pose a threat to Sri Lankan batsmen during the two-match test series which begins on Wednesday.
Bishoo is back in the regional squad after a complete recovery from a finger injury he sustained during the second of the three-match test series against England earlier this year.
Bishoo, who made his debut for West Indies in 2011, lost his place in 2012 but was recalled for series against England and Australia this year.
“Since Bishoo has been recalled into the test team he has been bowling well. I would say he is bowling a lot of wicket taking balls. He is testing the batsmen a lot more,” said Ramdin who was removed as skipper but retained as a wicketkeeper batsman.
“In the Caribbean the pitches were spinning and bouncing which he got some purchase and hopefully he is going to get some here as well in the sub continent”.
Bishoo was one of the leading bowlers in the last WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) taking 61 wickets to help Guyana Jaguars win the inaugural Tournament.
His accomplishments this year included 6 for 80 against Australia in the Dominica Test match which made him the first West Indian legspinner to claim five wickets against Australia.
“He is going to be challenged by these guys who play in their back yard so it’s going to be a good contest for him and he is going to do well,” Ramdin pointed out.
“I have no doubt about that and the rest of bowlers just need to back him up and he has recovered fully with his finger as well”.
West Indies and Sri Lanka will both be fielding a number of young players who will play in the first test at the Galle International Stadium starting Wednesday and at the P Sara Oval in the capital, Colombo from October 22-26.
Constant rain in Colombo has been restricting the West Indies preparation by limiting the players to mostly indoor sessions. A three-day practice match against a Sri Lanka Cricket Board President’s X1, originally due to start yesterday, has been rescheduled to today.
Ramdin says he expects the pitches in Sri Lanka to offer some assistance to both bowlers and batsmen.
“The pitches here are a lot more different. I have seen a lot more grass on the pitches. So I think our batsmen will be challenged a lot more,” he said.
“Not as much grass on the Caribbean pitches but it’s good for our bowlers as well to get something out of the new ball and something throughout the test match. Something will be there for the spinners as well because the place is hot and it’s going to deteriorate and get a lot dryer as the game goes on”.
