NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – West Indies open yet another chapter in their history under their 37th Test captain when they face Sri Lanka in the opening Test here today, hoping the new leader Kraigg Brathwaite can inspire a protracted period of success.
In the absence of then skipper Jason Holder, the 28-year-old Brathwaite led a depleted West Indies squad to a stunning 2-0 triumph in Bangladesh last month, an effort that persuaded selectors to hand him the leadership role full time.
The series win, coupled with Brathwaite’s brilliance, has triggered a high level of anticipation over the two Tests at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium here, and Brathwaite believes West Indies could be staring at a new phase.
“The Bangladesh series is finished and obviously that’s history but I think we can take small things and the big things we did well [into this series],” Brathwaite told an online media conference.
“I think we had the right attitude in preparation and we were disciplined [in Bangladesh]. Those two factors, once we continue to take those forward, the sky is the limit for this team.
“It’s just discipline, both from the batting group and the bowling group so we can take [the performance] from Bangladesh and carry it through [the upcoming series] and going forward in the future as well, not just here.”
He added: “So Bangladesh is history in terms of the result but I think we can take forward the attitude and the discipline and the fight that we showed there.
“The guys are hungry, the guys are looking forward to it and I would say it’s the same intensity and the same attitude [from the Bangladesh series], and we know it’s the right attitude that will bring results.”
Selectors have retained the core of the squad from the Bangladesh tour but have recalled Holder and left-handed batsman Darren Bravo, to bolster the experience of the unit.
Holder, the world’s top-ranked Test all-rounder, led the side for 37 of his 45 Tests while Bravo with 56 Tests, is the most experienced batsman behind Brathwaite.
And with rookie batsmen like John Campbell, Nkrumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers and Joshua Da Silva, along with seasoned players like Jermaine Blackwood, Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel, Brathwaite believes the Windies possessed a quality side capable of beating Sri Lanka.
“I know we have a good group. As I said from Bangladesh, I know the team that went there is a good team and I think here is pretty much the same,” explained Brathwaite.
“I think as a team we came together nicely before this tour. We basically came straight from Bangladesh – some guys came from the 50-over [series] – and we’ve gelled nicely together as a team.
“We have the same attitude, the same determination and the same fight and I think once we keep that discipline, as a Test team we’re on the right path.
“Guys are going and grabbing opportunities and scoring runs so we are on the right path to do great things in the Test arena.”
West Indies will have extra motivation having not beaten Sri Lanka in a Test series in almost two decades. The last time the two teams met in the Caribbean, West Indies won the first Test in Port of Spain, drew the second in Gros Islet before losing the third in Bridgetown.
Speedster Gabriel shone in that series with 20 wickets, unsettling the Sri Lankans with his pace, and spearheaded a fast-bowling attack which accounted for 43 of the 47 wickets claimed by the home side.
Brathwaite said his initial impressions of the pitch here suggested there would be something `in it for both batsmen and bowlers.
“It has a little layer of grass evenly. I think it looks like a good cricket pitch. I think there are runs there and there are wickets with some good effort from the bowlers so I think it will be a good cricket pitch.”
Sri Lanka are without key players for the series with the likes of Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera and veteran Angelo Mathews, missing for varying reasons.
SQUAD:
WEST INDIES – Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), John Campbell, Darren Bravo, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jomel Warrican, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph.
SRI LANKA – Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen Silva, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Vishwa Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Embuldeniya.