“Possibility” exists that Permaul would play in Sri Lanka Tests, says Harper

By Brandon Corlette

Cricket West Indies Lead Selector Roger Harper has indicated that the possibility exists that his countryman Veerasammy Permaul, who last played Test cricket in June 2015, would be able to play in the Sri Lanka Test matches, starting on November 21.

While Harper did not specifically give the assurance that Permaul would play, he said: “Of course it’s a possibility! When the team look at the conditions in Sri Lanka, and whatever is felt is the best bowling line-up to give the team the best opportunity of success, I think that would be the bowling line-up we choose to go forward with, going into the Test match. If that means playing three spinners, then I would like to think that is the decision that we will come to.”
Sri Lanka’s happy hunting ground, Galle, is known to be spin-friendly, and West Indies’ last visit in October 2015 saw them crashing to defeat by an innings and six runs there. In that match, Sri Lanka’s legendary left-arm spinner Ragana Herath claimed 10 wickets, while Permaul’s Albion club-mate Devendra Bishoo had 4-143 in 40 overs of toil.
On that occasion at Galle, West Indies played Jerome Taylor, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach and Jason Holder, while Sri Lanka played three spinners. This time around, West Indies would want to read the conditions better and stack the spin department.
“The selection of Veerasammy Permaul for the tour…you heard the captain speaking earlier and drawing similarity with the conditions in Bangladesh. We feel that the conditions in Sri Lanka, just as it was in Bangladesh, could be very spin-friendly, as we have seen (in) previous series (the Sri Lanka vs England series), and so we expect spin will play a great part…,” he continued.
He went on to explain that whether the decision is to go with two or three spinners, the team would want to ensure that a spinner is available in case something happens to one who is playing. This would facilitate the available spinner being called on to fill in, as was done in Bangladesh. This would ensure that the spin department is strong, having three spinners in the party.
Harper made this disclosure in a recent media briefing.
Explaining the rationale behind the overall composition of the squad, Harper declared: “The squad is well balanced, with good depth in all departments. The composition is very similar to the squad that brought us success in our last away tour to Bangladesh, with a few changes in personnel. There are a number of players who are familiar with Sri Lankan conditions, and most of the others have good experience in the Indian sub-continent, so they know what to expect, and are gearing themselves for it.”
Both Test matches will be played at the Galle International Stadium. West Indies will have a four-day warm-up match in Colombo from November 14 to 17. The Tests will follow from November 21 to 25 and from November 29 to December 3.
The series is the second of six series, three at home and three away, that West Indies will play in the 2021-2023 ICC World Test Championships.
WEST INDIES FULL SQUAD FOR SRI LANKA TESTS: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Jeremy Solozano and Jomel Warrican.