Windies-Sri Lanka first one dayer :

Boards consider postponing series:

Weather holds key

Chris DHAMBARAGE reporting from Sooriyawewa

Weather will be the key factor when Sri Lanka and the West Indies begin a five match one day international series at the newly constructed Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa, Hambanthota today.

however the boards of Sri Lanka and West Indies were in talks last night over postponing the series to January on account of the current weather. At the time of our going to press, a firm decision to postpone the tour had still not been taken.

The second match in the series which is also a day night fixture is also scheduled to be worked off on Saturday at the same venue before the two teams return to Colombo for the remaining three one day matches and the solitary Twenty20 International.

After a rain marred drawn Test series both teams will be keen to prove their capabilities in the shorter version of the game ahead of the more important ICC World Cup in 2011.

In fact this series will be a dress rehearsal for the World Cup as both teams will be involved in their last few one day internationals ahead of next year’s mega event which too will be hosted by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The opening two matches will be of great significance for the home side as they will launch their campaign for the World Cup at this same venue on February 20 next year in a group ‘A’ match against Canada.

This series will also provide Kumar Sangakkara’s team to consolidate their position in the ICC One Day Rankings where they are currently placed third behind the leaders Australia and second placed India.

They have already slipped into the fifth place in the ICC Test Rankings following their 0-0 draw in the three match series. Sri Lanka will be hoping that the weather will keep fine during the series as they look to make amends after having failed to make an impact in the longer version of the game.

They will start the series once again as the clear favourites on present form as the West Indies are placed at the bottom in the eighth position in the latest ICC One Day Team Rankings.

Even then Sri Lanka will be fully aware of their opponent’s strength and weaknesses and would not take any chances as they look to bounce back into recognition. The West Indies of course played their last one day international series in Sri Lanka way back in August 2005 where the two match series ended in a one all draw.