Sri Lanka, West Indies aim for redemption
Teams out to challenge world champions India in tri-nation event.
West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo was hard at work in the nets ahead of the opening match against Sri Lanka. PHOTO: WICB
KINGSTON:
With India enjoying an additional 48 hours to bask in the glory of their Champions Trophy triumph, West Indies and Sri Lanka get the Tri-Nation One-Day International (ODI) Series underway today at Sabina Park.
Both teams have points to prove after being steamrolled by the ODI kings over the previous fortnight in England.
For the Sri Lankans, this fixture marks just the second time that they are playing an ODI at major international cricket’s westernmost venue.
The only other occasion came at the 2007 World Cup when Mahela Jayawardene’s unruffled unbeaten hundred led his side comfortably past New Zealand in the semi-final.
West Indies were the first to feel the weight of India at their best in the Champions Trophy during the group stage, before missing out on the last-four when Kieron Pollard’s dismissal just before the rains came at Cardiff left the Caribbean side trailing South Africa on the Duckworth-Lewis System.
West Indian coach Ottis Gibson wants his team to remain focused and says the players ‘are taking more responsibility and are starting to believe a lot more’ that they can go all the way in major competitions.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said his team was upbeat ahead of the tournament. “We have played some really good cricket, beating England and Australia. Confidence is pretty high,” said Mathews.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2013.
With India enjoying an additional 48 hours to bask in the glory of their Champions Trophy triumph, West Indies and Sri Lanka get the Tri-Nation One-Day International (ODI) Series underway today at Sabina Park.
Both teams have points to prove after being steamrolled by the ODI kings over the previous fortnight in England.
For the Sri Lankans, this fixture marks just the second time that they are playing an ODI at major international cricket’s westernmost venue.
The only other occasion came at the 2007 World Cup when Mahela Jayawardene’s unruffled unbeaten hundred led his side comfortably past New Zealand in the semi-final.
West Indies were the first to feel the weight of India at their best in the Champions Trophy during the group stage, before missing out on the last-four when Kieron Pollard’s dismissal just before the rains came at Cardiff left the Caribbean side trailing South Africa on the Duckworth-Lewis System.
West Indian coach Ottis Gibson wants his team to remain focused and says the players ‘are taking more responsibility and are starting to believe a lot more’ that they can go all the way in major competitions.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said his team was upbeat ahead of the tournament. “We have played some really good cricket, beating England and Australia. Confidence is pretty high,” said Mathews.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2013.