Sri Lanka assistant coach Ryan van Niekerk says the team is eager to put its plans into action when they take on the West Indies in the first ODI of the three-match series today at Sabina Park, Kingston.
The match will mark the first ODI for Sri Lanka under newly-appointed captain Kusal Mendis and head coach Gary Kirsten, ushering in a new chapter for the national side.
“To win. We’ve come up with a plan. We’ve come with some really good intentions and a way that we want to play our ODI cricket as a group. Putting that into place on this tour is a big thing,” van Niekerk said ahead of the series opener.
The assistant coach said Sri Lanka’s preparations have gone according to plan, with the squad benefiting from an early arrival in the Caribbean to adapt to conditions and overcome the 11-hour time difference.
“Sometimes you get to a place like the West Indies and you don’t get a chance to get warm-up games and time on the legs, and get rid of the jet lag. We’ve had two really good training days at Sabina Park, and the warm-up game just put those processes and plans in place,” he said.
Sri Lanka completed a dominant warm-up victory over a Jamaica Select XI on Sunday, posting 335/7 before bowling out the hosts for 108. Charith Asalanka scored 61 before retiring out, Kamindu Mendis made 65 retired out, while Janith Liyanage contributed 60. With the ball, Dushmantha Chameera claimed 3 for 8 and Dunith Wellalage took 3 for 10.
Van Niekerk also praised the intensity displayed by the players during the warm-up fixture.
“Sometimes warm-up games can sort of amble along, so just the intensity that we played with really stood out for us. We’ve got some good processes in place,” he said.
Sri Lanka will begin their ODI campaign against the West Indies today, with attention focused on the first outing under Mendis’ captaincy and Kirsten’s coaching leadership. (Newswire)
