West Indies pacer Tino Best - REUTERS
COLOMBO (Reuters):
WEST INDIES captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul has backed his understrength squad to prosper during the two-test series against Sri Lanka which starts tomorrow.
A prolonged contract dispute leaves Chanderpaul as the only senior batsman and West Indies as the overwhelming underdogs after several leading players, including Brian Lara and Ramnaresh Sarwan, all refused to tour.
West Indies struggled in their only warm-up before the opening Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club, narrowly avoiding defeat against a strong Sri Lanka XI after being skittled out for 109 in their first innings.
Chanderpaul, the only batsman with international experience in Sri Lanka conditions, believes the series is an exciting challenge for West Indies' next generation of players.
NEW AND EXCITING PLAYERS
"We have a group of young, new and exciting players like Xavier Marshall, Ryan Ramdass and Narasingh Deonarine and Tino Best who are keen and ready to play Test cricket," said Chanderpaul.
"These guys have performed well with the 'A' team and most of them have played international cricket -- I know they are capable of doing the job.
"This is a good opportunity for them to make a name for themselves."
Team manager Tony Howard echoed Chanderpaul's comments.
"Now we have a new crop of players looking to stamp their authority on the game of cricket," he said.
"A Test match is a competition between two teams and, as you know, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties -- anybody can win."
West Indies' task is made harder by the return of Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah MUralitharan after a year-long absence due to two shoulder operations.
The 33-year-old, who took 24 wickets when Sri Lanka whitewashed West Indies 3-0 during their last series in 2001, has warmed-up with a successful early-season stint in England with Lancashire.
"I have not played a Test for almost a year now and I am looking forward to the challenge," said Muralitharan.
"I'm back to full fitness and did well for Lancashire, getting plenty of wickets in the county championship and one-day matches.
Sri Lanka must decide whether to play five specialist bowlers or seven batsman and just four frontline bowlers backed up by their part-time spinners.
