West Indies to host Sri Lanka in first home international series for 14 months

They will face off in two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is, with the white-ball leg of the trip taking place first, beginning on March 3

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West Indies will play international cricket at home for the first time since facing Ireland last January when Sri Lanka travel to the Caribbean in March for a multiformat series.

They will face off in two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is, with the white-ball leg of the trip taking place first, beginning on March 3.

The Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua will stage the T20I series – the first men’s international matches played at the venue, with the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium hosting the ODIs and Tests, all of which will be behind closed doors within a bio-secure environment.

Since West Indies’ last encounter on home soil, they have made overseas trips to England, New Zealand and Bangladesh, where they won impressively last week despite numerous high-profile absentees. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have lost their last four Tests against South Africa and England.

A year ago, however, when West Indies toured Sri Lanka, the home side won all three games in an ODI whitewash, before the visitors responded by claiming victory in both T20Is.

“We are pleased to be able to finally confirm this tour,” said Ricky Skerritt, Cricket West Indies president. “A number of Covid-19 related logistic hurdles have now been overcome and I want to thank Sri Lankan Cricket President, Shammi Silva and his team, for their co-operation in honouring their obligation to tour under the ICC FTP (Future Tours Programme) agreement.

West Indies v Sri Lanka: Tour fixtures

“We are also extremely grateful for the support we received from the governments of Antigua & Barbuda, and St. Lucia in planning this tour.

“But it is regrettable that we are unable to include St. Lucia as part of this home series as we had originally hoped to due to the delay in Sri Lanka arriving and the need for the tour to end before the start of the Indian Premier League.”

Johnny Grave, chief executive of Cricket West Indies, added “We are delighted to be able to restart international cricket in the West Indies, with the announcement of the tour by Sri Lanka.

“We have a full schedule featuring all three formats, which is sure to attract lots of attention from our fans, especially following on from the terrific Test Series win in Bangladesh. A lot of detailed planning has gone into the hosting of this tour and we are confident it will be a success.”

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