Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Cricket Committee Chairman and Transformation Committee member Sidath Wettimuny has praised the West Indies pace attack following Sri Lanka’s heavy defeat in the first Test, saying the Caribbean bowlers reminded him of the legendary fast bowlers of the past.
According to The Morning newspaper, Wettimuny described Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph as “simply amazing” after they combined to take all 20 Sri Lankan wickets in the match.
“They reminded me of how the early pace giants like Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding and Andy Roberts bowled. These new bowlers, I think, were equally good and unfortunately, we did not have an answer to their firepower,” Wettimuny told The Morning.
Despite Wettimuny’s praise, this was not the first time Sri Lanka had faced the West Indies pace attack. Several of the bowlers have previously played against Sri Lanka in both Test and limited-overs cricket, with the visitors having enjoyed success against them in earlier encounters.
Wettimuny said Sri Lanka had been outclassed in all departments during the innings and 217-run defeat, but singled out left-arm spinner Sonal Dinusha as one of the few positives from the match.
He also expressed confidence that Sri Lanka could bounce back in the second Test.
“I hope they fight back in the second Test. These things happen in cricket. Our batters have to apply themselves for longer periods and let’s see how they go in the next one,” he was quoted as saying by The Morning.
Despite the emphatic victory, it was the West Indies’ first win of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, coming in their ninth match. The Caribbean side had entered the Test after losing seven matches and drawing one in the current WTC campaign.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 308 and 101 as the West Indies secured their biggest-ever Test victory over the visitors, winning by an innings and 217 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. (Newswire)