ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – West Indies Under-19 captain Joshua Dorne believes his side will emerge victorious when they take on Sri Lanka in their upcoming Youth ODI series.

The two sides will clash at the Coolidge Cricket Ground on Saturday in the opening game of their seven-match series.

The regional side has been acclimatising in Antigua for the past week, with a series of practice sessions under head coach Rohan Nurse.

Dorne, who represented West Indies at the Under-19 Men’s World Cup in 2024, said while the series will serve as vital preparation for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, to be played in Zimbabwe and Namibia in January 2026, the team’s immediate focus was on winning the series.

“The main goal is to win the series. Once we put together good cricket and hit our targets, I don’t see why we shouldn’t come out victorious.

“The mood in camp is good. The “fellas” are gelling together very well. There’s a lot of banter off the field and it carries onto the field with positive energy that really drives our sessions,” the 18-year-old Dorne said.

“Cricket is a three-dimensional sport, so we’re looking to give 100 per cent in all three categories. Discipline off the field carries onto the field as well.

“Personally, my role is to do what the team requires at that moment. Sometimes digging in and sometimes pushing on, depending on what is needed,” he added.

Dorne, who captained Barbados to the Under-19 title in the regional tournament, said the high standard of the competition had served as the perfect preparation for Sri Lanka.

“I think the regional tournament was well put together. With the inclusion of the USA teams, it was a bit more competitive.

“I managed to reach some of my goals there and now I feel good about this series against Sri Lanka,” Dorne said.

Match Schedule:

1st ODI – August 30 at Coolidge Cricket Ground

2nd ODI – September 2 at Coolidge Cricket Ground

3rd ODI – September 4 at Coolidge Cricket Ground

4th ODI – September 7 at Coolidge Cricket Ground

5th ODI – September 9 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium

6th ODI – September 12 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium

7th ODI – September 15 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium