West Indies tour to Sri Lanka 2021 [Preview]

After a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, West Indies is all set to tour Sri Lanka to play two-match Test series, starting from 21^st November at Galle International Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lanka have yet to announce their Test squad for the two-match Test series. Dimuth Karunaratne is expected to lead the side for the home series against West Indies. It will be interesting to see if senior players like Angelo Matthews and Dinesh Chandimal retain their place in the Test setup.

For Sri Lanka, the side will be relying on the likes of Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thiramanne, Dhananjaya de Silva and Angelo Matthews to deliver the bulk of the runs in this Test series.

Since November 2020, opener Lahiru Thiramanne has been a consistent performer for the side in the Test format. In seven matches, Thiramanne has accumulated 659 runs at an average of 50.69 with two centuries and four half-centuries to his name.

Besides Thiramanne, Dimuth Karunaratne has done exceedingly well in this period with 652 runs in 11 innings at an average of 59.27 with three centuries and two half-centuries to his name.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrama and Ramesh Mendis to deliver crucial breakthroughs.

Since November 2020, left-arm orthodox, Lasith Embuldeniya bowled exceedingly well for Sri Lanka in the longest format of the game. In four matches played, Embuldeniya has claimed 19 wickets at an average of 33.00 with on five-wicket haul to his name.

On the other hand, West Indies have named their full-strength squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite will be hoping that the side can adjust to the conditions and put up a strong fight against Islanders in this Two-match Test series.

Uncapped opener Jeremy Solozano has earned his maiden call-up to the national side for the Sri Lanka series. Experienced pacer Shannon Gabriel has made his comeback to the Test squad after regaining the full fitness.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Kraigg Brathwaite, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Nkrumah Bonner and Roston Chase to deliver notable scores in this two-match Test series.

Since November 2020, opener Kraigg Brathwaite has topped the batting charts for West Indies in the Test cricket. In 10 Test matches, Brathwaite has accumulated 611 runs at an average of 30.55 with one century and three half-centuries to his name.

Besides Brathwaite, Middle-order batsman Kyle Mayers has done exceedingly well for West Indies in this 12-month period. Left-hander has accumulated 553 runs in 16 innings at an average of 36.86 with one century and two half-centuries to his name.

Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel, Jayden Seales and Jason Holder will be four prominent pacers for the two-match Test series. On the other hand, Rahkeem Cornwall, Veerasammy Permaul and Jomel Warrican are three spinners picked for West Indies.

The opening game of the Test series will be played at Galle International Cricket Stadium from 21^st till 25^th November. The second and final game of the Test series will be played at Galle from 29^th Noveber till 3^rd December.