GALLE: Over the last couple of days, the West Indies players have had to intersperse net sessions with time around the domino table as heavy rains in Sri Lanka have somewhat curtailed their preparations ahead of the first Test in Galle starting on Saturday.
With their warm-up game completely washed out, the regional side had their first net session at the match venue on Thursday, and vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood sounds confident that the side is ready to face whatever challenge the Sri Lankans will throw at them.
“I think the guys are in a good place. We have had a few training sessions and the guys are looking good. They are adapting to the surface, and it’s pleasing to see how they are going about their work,” said Blackwood.
Following a nil-all draw in the Caribbean, the West Indies will be hoping that they can get one over on their Sri Lankan counterparts, however, that task won’t be easy as the regional side has not tasted victory in Test in that country.
For Blackwood, having a look at what the Sri Lankans have to offer in the last series could be the formula that changes their fortunes on the sub-continent.
“We haven’t won a series, and we know that, and we are going to take it upon ourselves to make sure we correct that and actually win some games here and turn that curve for the West Indies in terms of winning in Sri Lanka,” said Blackwood.
“We came here to win, to be honest, and that is our goal. We don’t care where the cricket is played, we are just here to win. The guys are hungry, and you can see it in their eyes,” he added.
The right-handed Blackwood has fond memories of the Galle pitch as the Jamaican scored a brisk 92 in the first Test back in 2015, which the West Indies lost by an innings.
The memory still lingers for the St Elizabeth native, who says he plans to carve out a different approach this time around.
“The last time I played here I was more attacking, to be honest, because I was batting with the number 11. This time around, hopefully, if I get a chance I can bat longer for the team and score more runs,” added Blackwood.
© The Gleaner
