{"id":184869,"date":"2026-06-24T00:11:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T05:41:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=184869"},"modified":"2026-06-24T00:11:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T05:41:20","slug":"antigua-test-preview-west-indies-looks-to-end-slump-against-in-form-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=184869","title":{"rendered":"Antigua Test preview: West Indies looks to end slump against in-form Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-body-71140512\">After a rain-hit ODI series and a closely contested T20I leg, West Indies and Sri Lanka shift their focus to the longest format when the first Test begins at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>The two-match series carries contrasting significance for the teams. West Indies, rooted to the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after losing seven of its eight matches in the current cycle, is desperate to revive its red-ball fortunes. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, sits third in the table and will be keen to strengthen its push for next year\u2019s WTC final at Lord\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvery Test series is an opportunity for us to grow as a team and strengthen our identity,\u201d West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said. \u201cSri Lanka are a quality side, so we\u2019ll have to be at our best, but we\u2019re excited about the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With West Indies enduring a prolonged slump in Test cricket, Sammy stressed the importance of discipline and resilience.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor us, it\u2019s about playing with discipline, showing character when the game gets tough and representing the West Indies with pride,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Sri Lanka\u2019s lofty WTC position, however, comes largely on the back of a 1-0 home series win over Bangladesh last year. Dhananjaya de Silva\u2019s side will need victories away from home to remain firmly in contention.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"sub_head\">Challenging conditions<\/h4>\n<p>The teams last met in Antigua in 2021, when both Tests ended in draws on batting-friendly surfaces. This time, conditions are expected to be more demanding, with recent domestic matches indicating pitches offering pace, bounce and seam movement.<\/p>\n<p>West Indies is set to recall wicketkeeper-batter Joshua da Silva after he earned his place with successive prolific domestic seasons.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI went back to first-class cricket, scored runs and got another opportunity, so I\u2019m trying to make the most of it,\u201d the 28-year-old said.<\/p>\n<p>The hosts will rely on a potent pace attack led by the returning Alzarri Joseph alongside Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph to trouble Sri Lanka\u2019s batting.<\/p>\n<p>Sri Lanka\u2019s pace unit, spearheaded by Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando in the absence of Dushmantha Chameera, will look to exploit the conditions, while its batting will once again revolve around captain Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal and the in-form Pathum Nissanka as it chases a first-ever Test series win in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n<p class=\"publish-time\" id=\"end-of-article\">Published on Jun 24, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/cricket\/west-indies-vs-sri-lanka-1st-test-preview-antigua-wtc\/article71140512.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a rain-hit ODI series and a closely contested T20I leg, West Indies and Sri Lanka shift their focus to the longest format when the first Test begins at the&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":184870,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-184869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03_RVM_2783.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":180626,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=180626","url_meta":{"origin":184869,"position":0},"title":"West Indies beats Sri Lanka by five wickets to clinch T20 series","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Sherfane Rutherford reached his half-century in the last over of a dramatic run chase as West Indies completed a series-clinching five-wicket win with two deliveries to spare on Sunday in the third Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka. Rutherford was unbeaten on 54 from 40 deliveries, and Jason Holder clobbered three\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP__20260615__B73G4AR__v1__HighRes__CricketTwenty20T20InternationalWestIndiesVSriLa.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP__20260615__B73G4AR__v1__HighRes__CricketTwenty20T20InternationalWestIndiesVSriLa.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP__20260615__B73G4AR__v1__HighRes__CricketTwenty20T20InternationalWestIndiesVSriLa.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP__20260615__B73G4AR__v1__HighRes__CricketTwenty20T20InternationalWestIndiesVSriLa.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP__20260615__B73G4AR__v1__HighRes__CricketTwenty20T20InternationalWestIndiesVSriLa.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":183362,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=183362","url_meta":{"origin":184869,"position":1},"title":"West Indies vs Sri Lanka LIVE streaming info, Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026: When, where to watch WI-W vs SL-W?","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 20, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"West Indies and Sri Lanka will face off in a crucial Group B clash in the Women\u2019s T20 World Cup in Bristol on Sunday. This fixture will have an impact on semifinal qualifications, with these two sides primarily in contention for the second knockout berth in this group. Here are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_T2__World_Cup_Womens_Cricket_19299.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_T2__World_Cup_Womens_Cricket_19299.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_T2__World_Cup_Womens_Cricket_19299.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_T2__World_Cup_Womens_Cricket_19299.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_T2__World_Cup_Womens_Cricket_19299.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":176511,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=176511","url_meta":{"origin":184869,"position":2},"title":"WI vs SL 2026, WI vs SL 1st ODI Match Report, June 03, 2026 &#8211; West Indies bowl vs Sri Lanka, Hetmyer not in the XI &#8211; ESPNcricinfo","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"WI vs SL 2026, WI vs SL 1st ODI Match Report, June 03, 2026 - West Indies bowl vs Sri Lanka, Hetmyer not in the XI\u00a0\u00a0ESPNcricinfoWI vs SL Cricket Scorecard, 1st ODI at Kingston, June 03, 2026\u00a0\u00a0ESPNcricinfoWest Indies name strong squad for home Sri Lanka ODI series\u00a0\u00a0ICCHetmyer 'reintegrated' into West\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;National News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/J6_coFbogxhRI9iM864NL_liGXvsQp2AupsKei7z0cNNfDvGUmWUy20nuUhkREQyrpY4bEeIBucs0-w300-rw.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":176324,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=176324","url_meta":{"origin":184869,"position":3},"title":"WI vs SL LIVE score, 1st ODI: West Indies, Sri Lanka look to start series with a win","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Hello and welcome to Sportstar\u2019s live coverage of the first ODI between West Indies and Sri Lanka, held in Kingston on Wednesday.PLAYING XIsWest Indies: John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (capt), Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales. Sri Lanka: Pathum\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-02-22T114312Z_1503294940_UP1EM2M0WJZJC_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-T20-WORLDCUP-LKA-ENG.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-02-22T114312Z_1503294940_UP1EM2M0WJZJC_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-T20-WORLDCUP-LKA-ENG.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-02-22T114312Z_1503294940_UP1EM2M0WJZJC_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-T20-WORLDCUP-LKA-ENG.JPG?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-02-22T114312Z_1503294940_UP1EM2M0WJZJC_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-T20-WORLDCUP-LKA-ENG.JPG?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-02-22T114312Z_1503294940_UP1EM2M0WJZJC_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-T20-WORLDCUP-LKA-ENG.JPG?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":177690,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=177690","url_meta":{"origin":184869,"position":4},"title":"WI vs SL \u2014 Second ODI between West Indies and Sri Lanka washed out","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The second One Day International between the West Indies and Sri Lanka was abandoned because of rain Saturday without a ball being bowled. Sri Lanka leads the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first game by 41 runs, giving former Proteas star Gary Kirsten his first win as Sri Lanka\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_B6984ZB.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_B6984ZB.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_B6984ZB.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_B6984ZB.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_B6984ZB.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":180306,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=180306","url_meta":{"origin":184869,"position":5},"title":"Sri Lanka beats West Indies by 37 runs to level T20I series","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 14, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Sri Lanka levelled the three-match T20I series against West Indies with a commanding 37-run victory at Sabina Park in Kingston on Saturday, thanks to half-centuries from Kamil Mishara and Dasun Shanaka, followed by a disciplined bowling display led by Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera. Asked to bat, Sri Lanka posted\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_B6ZA6N4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_B6ZA6N4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_B6ZA6N4.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_B6ZA6N4.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_B6ZA6N4.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgnRh4-M5L","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=184869"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184869\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/184870"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=184869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=184869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=184869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}