West Indies head coach Phil Simmons has urged authorities in the Caribbean to prepare more results oriented pitches, following a nil-all draw in the recent two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Antigua and Barbuda. Both matches finished in tame stalemates on flat wickets at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium and Simmons said it was important to provide more competitive pitches in the region in order to lift the profile of Test match cricket. “I think we from a country standpoint need to get better wickets where we can have Test matches that will create a result,” he contended. “Even if...

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons believes a change of approach by his team’s batsmen is largely responsible for five of them averaging over 50 for the just-concluded series against Sri Lanka. Kraigg Brathwaite, Nkrumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder and Rahkeem Cornwall hit that significant milestone during the series that ended in a stalemate between the two cricketing nations. It was the first time since 2012, that West Indies batsmen have been able to achieve that feat and only the second time since 1995. Brathwaite, who started off the series with scores of three and 23 in the first...

Dimuth Karunaratne hit 75 and soaked up 176 deliveries in a century stand with Lahiru Thirimanne, and Oshada Fernando struck an unbeaten half-century of his own later in the day, as Sri Lanka comfortably batted out a draw in Antigua. Missing Shannon Gabriel for part of the day due to a hamstring complaint, West Indies were only able to take two Sri Lanka wickets on a pitch that had become slower and lower for the quicks and yet did not take substantial turn for the spinners. Only the occasional delivery misbehaved, and that was usually out of the rough. Each...

The second Test between the West Indies and Sri Lanka is set for a thrilling finish with the tourists heading into day five with all 10 wickets in hand and a huge target in front of them. Half-centuries from Kraigg Brathwaite (85), Jason Holder (71*) and Kyle Mayers (55) powered the West Indies to 280/4 when the declaration was called, setting Sri Lanka a target of 377 to win. By stumps, Sri Lanka were 29/0, with Lahiru Thirimanne (17) and Dimuth Karunaratne (11) at the crease. Sri Lanka’s first innings was wrapped up quickly on day four as Kemar Roach...

The West Indies took control of the second Test on a rain-marred day three, with Sri Lanka’s hopes of taking a first-innings lead hanging by a thread. The lone positive for Sri Lanka at the close of play was Pathum Nissanka’s presence at the crease, with the rookie unbeaten on 49. Starting the day at 136/3 in reply to the West Indies’ total of 334, Sri Lanka’s main aim was reaching stumps with a first-innings lead established. That looked a distinct possibility with Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva both well set, having finished day two on 34 and 23...

A century from Kraigg Brathwaite proved the backbone of a strong first innings for the West Indies but Sri Lanka are firmly in the contest after another fifty from Lahiru Thirimanne. Sri Lanka reached stumps at 136/3 trailing by 218 after bowling the West Indies out for 354 earlier in the day. With Dinesh Chandimal (34) and Dhanajaya de Silva (23) both well set, the Sri Lankans will be hoping to take a key first-innings lead. Having played within himself with plenty of success in the first Test, Thirimanne started his innings in the second Test with notably more positivity....

A fighting knock from Kraigg Brathwaite saw the West Indies and Sri Lanka end day one of the second Test on equal footing. Brathwaite stood tall to reach stumps not out on 99 with a tough night’s sleep ahead of him. At the other end, Rahkeem Cornwall was on 43 with the West Indies 287/7 at the close of play after being sent out to bat. The opener showed plenty of gumption through day one, holding his nerve as wickets fell regularly around him. It was Suranga Lakmal (3/71) who again played tormenter-in-chief to the West Indies top order. Hitting...