Pallekele, Sri Lanka, October 19, CMC – West Indies captain Shai Hope is calling on his team to play good, consistent cricket when the first of three much-awaited ODIs between host Sri Lanka and the regional side gets underway at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Sunday.
With crucial ICC rankings points and World Cup qualification implications at stake, Hope said his side must be on their ‘A’ game if they are to topple the hosts.
“We’re looking forward and we’ve got to make sure we play good cricket and get back into the rankings, so we don’t have to qualify this time. We’ve got to take it one step at a time,” Hope said. “As much as we’re looking forward, we’ve got to We stay in the present.”
West Indies, ranked 10th, are looking to bounce back after losing the T20I series. They will be led by the experienced Hope, with fast bowler Alzarri Joseph as his deputy.
The Caribbean side has a rich mix of youth activism and seasoned activists. One of the key players in the game is 17-year-old Joel Andrew, who will be keen to make his mark in international cricket.
In addition to Hope and Joseph, players like Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Shirvan Rutherford and Roston Chase bring firepower to the West Indian lineup, while Romario Shepard and Hayden Walsh Jr. provide plenty of depth in the all-around and spin departments. .
“We have some new members and returning players and we need to put together a consistent performance, find ways to win important moments in matches and give our best,” Hope added.
Once again, the regional team is expected to face a consistent system of turnover in Pallekele and Hope are keen to meet the challenge.
“When you come to Sri Lanka, you have to expect to bowl quite a bit, especially from a bowling point of view. We can’t have too much of a pre-determined mentality. We have to wait and see what the pitch has to offer,” Hope said.
“We have to play what we see and understand that it can look like a dust bowl and play right into it. We have to be able to adapt in that regard and make sure we are ready to play what they throw at us,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, who are currently ranked seventh in the ICC Men’s ODI Rankings, will be led by Sharith Asalanka. Their squad features a mix of experience and youth, with prospects such as Chamindu Wickramasinghe, who received his first ODI call-up.
The team will be strengthened by the return of midfielder Dilshan Madushanka, who recovered from a hamstring injury. Moreover, star all-rounder Wanendu Hasaranga returns to the team after missing two matches against India earlier this year.
Head to head, the two teams are almost evenly matched. The West Indies have a slim advantage, having won 31 of their 64 ODIs against Sri Lanka, while the hosts have recorded 30 victories.
Their last encounter saw Sri Lanka dominate with an eight-wicket win during the ICC Super Six Cricket World Cup qualifiers in July 2023.
