ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – A handful of players who are expected to feature in the first Test against Sri Lanka will get to finalise their preparations, when a Cricket West Indies President’s XI take on Sri Lanka in a two-tour game starting here today.
The quartet of Darren Bravo, Kyle Mayers, Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach, recently named in the 13-man squad next weekend’s opening Test, have all been included in the tour-match squad led by all-rounder Roston Chase.
The fixture, carded for Coolidge Cricket Ground, will provide the last chance for match practice and Roach said yesterday the outing would also be used by the bowlers to scrutinise the opposition batsmen.
“This two-day game coming up is just about me finding my rhythm and also looking at the Sri Lankan batsmen and finding their weaknesses so we can relay it back to the bowling team and put our plans together for the upcoming series,” Roach explained.
“It’s very important for me to get myself some good little match practice so I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully everything goes well and I’m ready and raring to go come Sunday.”
Roach, along with Mayers and Gabriel, were members of the side which trounced Bangladesh 2-0 to pull off an historic away series triumph in Dhaka.
Although fielding a weakened side after a plethora of first choice players pulled out of the tour, West Indies went on to win the first Test in Chattogram by three wickets and capture the second in the nation’s capital by 17 runs.
Roach said it was important to take the same spirit from the Bangladesh tour into the upcoming series.
“It’s a good feeling to be back in action after a fantastic series in Bangladesh,” said the leading fast bowler, who has taken 205 wickets from 61 Tests.
“I thought the guys really worked hard and fought even harder on the field so a lot of confidence was gained, and I’m looking forward to seeing the guys express themselves in this series against Sri Lanka, and looking forward to an even better result.
“I’m sure the guys are extremely excited to get back on the park and continue the moment, and look to win some more Test matches for West Indies.”
Bravo is one of only two players – along with Jason Holder – who did not tour Bangladesh but who has been recalled to the side for the Sri Lanka series.
Mayers, who hit an astonishing double hundred on debut in Chattogram and Nkrumah Bonner, another debutant who finished as Man-of-the-Series after scoring a half-century in each Test, will also be looking for runs to enhance their confidence.
With the likes of opener John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall and Joshua Da Silva only having played 20 Tests between them, West Indies find themselves short of extensive experience but Roach said confidence would be key.
“I expect these guys to go out there and fight. It is still a young side and a work in progress but the way we practice is the way we’re going to play and I think we’ve been doing that very well,” he pointed out.
“We’ve been planning well, we have a lot more discussions so in these two Test matches, I’m looking for the guys to just express themselves with the confidence they gained from the last series.
“[We have to] just play the cricket we know how to play – that’s very important – and of course enjoy it.”
He added: “It’s going to be an exciting series coming up. We’re at home … so it’s all about us going out there, no pressure on ourselves, just play what we know and look to win this series again for West Indies.”
The President’s XI squad will also feature prolific one-day opener, Shai Hope, who was dropped last year following the tour of England due to his ordinary Test form but has continued to score heavily in the shorter format.
Hope finished with 258 runs at an average of 86 in the three-match one-day series which finished here last Sunday, scoring a century and two half-centuries.
Left-hander Shayne Moseley, who struggled badly on international debut in Bangladesh, will also suit up in the two-day game along with all-rounder Kavem Hodge and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, both of whom toured Bangladesh but failed to get a game.
The first Test bowls off on Sunday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
SQUADS:
WEST INDIES – Roston Chase (captain), Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Shannon Gabriel, Jahmar Hamilton, Keon Harding, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Veerasammy Permaul, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach.
SRI LANKA – Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen Silva, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Vishwa Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Embuldeniya.
