Sri Lanka-WI Series for a worthy cause

The rescheduled three-match ODI Series between Sri Lanka and the West Indies will be played for a worthy cause, in aid of the recent flood victims who lost their homes, lives and belongings.

All three matches will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds as day matches and the first ODI will be played on January 31. The series is named as the ERI Series with the ERI Trophy on offer for the winners.

The ODI series was scheduled last December, to start from the World Cup playing venue Hambantota, Pallekele and R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, but did not take place due to heavy rain and was rescheduled for January 2011.

At a press briefing held at the Cinnamon Lakeside hotel with regard to the ODI Series and the change of venues Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara said that there is no point in being concerned about that, because our mental approach has to be regardless of getting the experience of a wicket that a World Cup is to be played and played well. So our preparation is going to be the same. We should make sure that we are strong enough and we have the character to deal with whatever comes our way.

Sangakkara further said that although the three matches is something like a preparation for the World Cup, it is a One Day International Tournament which will help to improve the country’s ODI rankings, and winning every match is important.

The Sri Lankan captain said that the best possible team will play in the ODI Series and the first target is to win the first game, and hopefully then the series. If we can afford to give the players opportunities it is well and good. But the best 11 for that particular game and the particular wicket will play.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy said that it is a wonderful opportunity for us to play here in the sub-continent with the World Cup in sight. And it should be a good preparation. We have a good squad with youth and experience and it is all well going into this ODI Series.

Darren Sammy welcomed the inclusion of Ramnaresh Sarwan who has been included in the present team. “We all know the capabilities of Sarwan, we welcome him back to the team. He played in the Twenty20 Series in the West Indies and he looks good and ready to play. So having Sarwan in the side is an asset to the side. He has done well in the sub-continent and we hope he will come out well and do well.