Windies v Sri Lanka Tests: Surfaces don’t really matter, West Indies here to win

…says Vice-Captain Jermaine Blackwood

By Brandon Corlette

West Indies Test Vice-Captain Jermaine Blackwood is prepared to face a load of spin when the first Test match in Sri Lanka bowls off on Sunday, November 21.

Speaking to the media in a virtual press briefing on Thursday, the Jamaican said that, despite the surfaces, West Indies are in Sri Lanka to win.

Winning has not been straightforward for the West Indies in spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka. Since 1993, West Indies have not won a single Test match in Sri Lanka. In their last visit to Sri Lanka in 2015, West Indies suffered a 2-0 defeat, and in 2010-11, the series ended in a 0-0 draw.

Sri Lanka, a team that is rebuilding, would want to continue this form, while the West Indies would feel the need to rewrite history. “We came here to win, that is our motto, that is our goal. We don’t care where the cricket play, we just here to win.

“As I said, the guys are hungry, and we are ready to play. It does not really matter the surface; any surface we get, or who is going to play, we are ready to play good cricket,” Blackwood told the media.

The right-hander who was the best West Indies batsman in Test series in England and New Zealand has since had patchy performances, but is aiming to redefine his form, and bat longer and not be too attacking.

“Right now, my cricket is in a very good place. My head is in a very good place right now batting-wise, I am ready. I am batting very good, I am focused right now, so just time to go out and play cricket and execute. I am fully focused for these two Test matches,” Blackwood explained.

West Indies have suffered a T20 World Cup heartbreak, but Blackwood noted that this group is not feeling added pressure after that World Cup debacle. “This group is relaxed. We are just eager to go out there and play some good cricket, so the fans can have something to cheer about.”

When asked about the difference in environment in the Test team as opposed to the white-ball teams, Blackwood said the Test boys are willing to play cricket together, for each other, hence the steady progression of the team, which is playing a lot of cricket together.

Both Test matches will be played at the Galle International Stadium. A four-day warm-up match was scheduled in Colombo from November 14 to 17, but no play was possible due to heavy rainfall.

The two Tests would be played from November 21 to 25 and November 29 to December 3 respectively. 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 Championship.

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.