West Indies continue their dismal effort in Sri Lanka in the longest format, and the wait for a West Indies Test win continues in that part of the world. The latest defeat came on Thursday when Sri Lanka won by 187 runs and the West Indies batting were in shambles against spin.
West Indies lost the first Test after another batting collapse
In the first innings, West Indies scored 230 all out and in the second innings, they scored 160, at one stage being reduced to 18-6.
After the match, wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva, who constructed a half-century, called for more application as the second Test match is set for Monday, November 29.
Sri Lanka go 1-0 in the two-match series
“I just think, the boys, we need to fight. We need to believe in ourselves. Nobody goes out there to fail; everybody tries their best, it is just a bit of application. Give yourself some time; you have a lot more time. You have five days,” Da Silva told CWI media.
“You cannot really fault the boys, if we played a bit in front at times, especially in the first innings. In the second innings, Sri Lanka were on top, and we just needed to fight.”
Da Silva noted that the Sri Lankans played their usual cricket and used their home advantage, hence their dominant performance. Before this match, Da Silva was struggling to get among the runs, but he was backed by the management to come good, and he did in the second innings.
However, a collective approach is needed for West Indies to improve in the second Test and work towards their first Test win in Sri Lanka. After a heavy defeat as such, changes are expected for the West Indies team.
FULL SQUAD: 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. (Brandon Corlette)
