By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Sri Lanka cricket captain Dimuth Karanarathna said that his team is brimming with confidence to face the visiting Caribbeans for the forthcoming One-day International series.
Skipper Karunarathna together with T-20 captain Lasith Malinga hosted the West Indies skipper Kieran Pollard for a media briefing to mark the official launch of the series and to reveal the trophy.
“Actually we have a well-balanced side with seniors and youngsters to complete with them and they also have a good side to fight with us. That’s why this is going to be a tough fight but ultimately the day who perform well win the game” said Karunaratna.
He said the absence of Dhanushka Gunatillake as opener due to injury would leave him with Avishka Fernando to open the innings and he expected to make a good start for the innings. He added that the bowling attack led by Lahiru Kumara and spinner Wanindu Hasaranga would do their part to contribute towards the success.
Meanwhile, Lasith Malinga admitted that they had a disastrous tour in India and the team is looking for an opportunity to make amends and come good to prepare ahead of the World Cup. “We were below the fifth ranking before the 2014 but we could become the T20 champions” bragged Malinga who captained world cup winning T20 final in the absence of their skipper Dinesh Chandimal.
Meanwhile, West Indies one day skipper Kieran Pollard said they are very keen to play against Sri Lanka. “We got good experience playing against our last Indian series and hope to do well in Sri Lanka. We came here a little bit early to adjust this condition and here present climate high-temperature little bit challenging” said Caribbean skipper.
The two teams will meet their first one day game on 22nd at SSC grounds then move to Hambantota for second one day on 26 th and third one day on1st at Pallekeke.
After three one day matches two T-20ss will played on 4 and 6th April at
Pallekele. This match series will be played for the NDB Bank trophy Two coaches Phil Simmons West Indies and Mickey Arthur Sri Lanka also were present at the press briefing.
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