West Indies v Sri Lanka, Test series: TV times, streaming, weather, team news, odds and more

The Cricketer runs down all the information you need to know ahead of the two-Test series at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium

What is it?

A two-Test series between West Indies and Sri Lanka. 

When is it? 

The first Test starts on March 21. Full schedule below. 

First Test: March 21 – March 25 (2pm GMT – 10am local time) 

Second Test: March 29 – April 2 (3pm GMT – 10am local time) 

Where is it?

Both Test matches between West Indies and Sri Lanka will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

It will be the first time the ground has played host to Sri Lanka in the Test arena, but the ground will be familiar to the tourists, having held the recent three-match ODI series between the two nations. 

Who's involved?

It's all change at the top for West Indies, who have reacted to winning in Bangladesh under the temporary captaincy of Kraigg Brathwaite by handing him the reins on a permanent basis, replacing Jason Holder.

Shai Hope has been unable to force his way back into the Test squad despite his exploits in the 50-over series. He scored 258 runs at an average of 86, with a lowest score of 64. Although he has struggled in Test cricket in recent times, the elegant batsman backed up his white-ball form by making 68 for the CWI President's XI against the Sri Lankans in a two-day warm-up match for the upcoming series. 

Off-spinning allrounder Roston Chase also impressed in that match but misses out on selection. He returned figures of 4 for 12 in Sri Lanka’s first innings, before striking 52 with the bat.

For Sri Lanka, Dimuth Karunaratne is back as captain, having missed January’s series against England with a thumb injury. Lasith Embuldeniya, the impressive left-arm spinner, was not part of the tour’s white-ball leg but is a key member of the Test fold.

Angelo Mathews flew home from the tour after the first ODI for family reasons, leaving the visitors’ inexperienced batting group without its talisman.

^{Jason Holder has been replaced as West Indies captain}

West Indies squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, John Campbell, Rakeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joesph, Kyle Mayers, Jomel Warrican, Kemar Roach

Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen Silva, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Vishwa Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Embuldeniya

Will fans be permitted?

It was announced before the start of the tour that fans would not be allowed into the grounds for this series due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. All matches are being played behind closed doors and in a bio-secure bubble.

Where can I follow? 

BT Sport will broadcast the two-match series in the United Kingdom, with the content also available to subscribers on their website.  

In India, the series will be available on the FanCode service.

In the Caribbean, Flow Sports TV and the Flow Sports App are showing the two-match series.

And in Sri Lanka, Rupavahini (SLRC) and Universal Link Ceylon will be broadcasting proceedings.

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