West Indies are keen to end 2021 on a positive note with a win over Sri Lanka in the second Test to draw the two-match series.
The match begins today and West Indies will have to make a decision if to open with vice-captain, Jermaine Blackwood, or wicketkeeper batsman, Shai Hope after the injured Jeremy Solozano was ruled out of the match, according to skipper, Kraigg Brathwaite.
Brathwaite, speaking on the eve of the match yesterday said, “The last test of the year and it is important that we finish strong in terms of 2021 and we are fully focused.”
He reckoned that his unit has learnt a lot about combating the Sri Lanka spinners and said that a straight bat and sweeping could help.
“We’re having a lot of discussions and one of the important things is we’ve got to defend a lot of balls so I think having a straight bat is one of the things we discussed and sweeping as well, especially against the off-spinner… I think it is being confident in whether forward or back, I think [Nkrumah] Bonner and Josh [Joshua Da Silva] showed that once you have the solid defence, whether front foot or back foot, and you put the effort in, put the energy in, you will be successful,” he said.
He added, “Only when doubt comes in that’s when you slip up a bit but it’s just to be sure and trust that defence…bad balls will bowl and we will get runs…we did it but we should do it for extended periods.”
Brathwaite admitted that the batsmen were guilty of lots in the first Test where the spinners enjoyed a field day as his men lost wickets in clusters and gave away their wickets cheaply.
“Obviously we did some things as batsmen we should not be doing whether it’s the first time or so like not losing wickets fast, losing wickets in clusters, obviously that put us under a lot of pressure but the positives are that we saw the first game, we saw what they did and it is just as paramount to have that clarity on what you want to do and that is the key,” he said.
Brathwaite was cognizant that it was not going to be a walk in the park but said that he understood the first innings total will set the tone for the outcome of the match. In fact, in the last 50 innings, West Indies have only scored in excess of 300 runs nine times.
There isn’t much on the bench either for West Indies to boost their batting with three bowlers the lone options and a rampaging Sri Lankan spin unit.
In spin friendly conditions, it could mean a chance for left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul to play his first Test since June 2015 in support of fellow left-arm spinner, Jomel Warrican and off-spinning all-rounders, Rahkeem Cornwall and Roston Chase.
Also, nippy youngster, Jayden Seales and Kemar Roach could be viable options and bring more in the field should they go with one of them over Shannon Gabriel.
Sri Lanka on the other hand, seem to be settled in conditions they thrive in and are unlikely to trouble their winning combination. Their captain, Dimuth Karunaratne has been in splendid form with six consecutive 50-plus scores and another one could see him joining Kumar Sangakkara as the only two Sri Lankans to achieve this feat. Six players in Test cricket share the record of seven consecutive 50-plus scores.