PALLEKELLE, Sri Lanka, Oct 19, CMC – West Indies captain Shai Hope is calling on his side to play good consistent cricket when the much-anticipated first of three ODI’s between host Sri Lanka and the regional side bowl off at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

With crucial ICC ranking points and World Cup qualification implications at stake, Hope said his team will have to be on their ‘A’ game if they are to topple the host.

“We are looking ahead and have to ensure that we are playing good cricket and get back up the rankings, so we don’t have to qualify this time. We have to take it one step at a time, as much as we are looking ahead, we have to stay in the present,” Hope said.

The West Indies, ranked 10th, are eager to bounce back after losing the T20I series. They will be led by the experienced Hope, with fast bowler Alzarri Joseph as his deputy.

The Caribbean side has a rich blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned campaigners. A key inclusion is 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Jewel Andrew, who will be eager to make his mark in international cricket.

In addition to Hope and Joseph, players like Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Sherfane Rutherford, and Roston Chase bring firepower to the West Indian line-up, while Romario Shepherd and Hayden Walsh Jr offer plenty of depth in the all-rounder and spin departments.

“We have some new members and returning guys and we need to get consistent performances together and find ways to win key moments in games and do the best we can,” added Hope.

Once again, the regional side is expected to face a steady diet of spin in Pallekelle and Hope is keen to take on the challenge.

“Whenever you come to Sri Lanka you have to expect the ball to do a bit, especially from a spin bowling standpoint. We can’t have too much of a pre-determined mindset. We have to wait and see what the pitch offers,” Hope said.

“We have to play what we see and understand that it can look like a dust bowl and play straight on. We have to be adaptable in that respect and ensure we are ready to play what they throw at us,” he continued.

In the meantime, Sri Lanka, currently number seven in the ICC men’s ODI rankings, will be led by Charith Asalanka. Their side features a blend of experience and youth, with exciting prospects like Chamindu Wickramasinghe, who has received his maiden ODI call-up.

The team will be bolstered by the return of left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka, who has recovered from a hamstring injury. Furthermore, star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga returns to the side after missing two matches against India earlier this year.

Head-to-head, the two teams are almost evenly matched. West Indies hold a slender advantage, having won 31 of their 64 ODIs against Sri Lanka, while the hosts have claimed 30 victories.

Their most recent meeting saw Sri Lanka dominate with an eight-wicket win during the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier Super Six in July 2023.