West Indies Academy Embarks on Sri Lanka Tour for Player Development
West Indies Academy Sets Off for Sri Lanka
A 16-member squad from the West Indies Academy has left for Sri Lanka, where they will engage in a reciprocal tour from June 3 to June 27. This tour includes matches against the Sri Lanka Emerging Players as part of a multi-format series aimed at enhancing player development in the region.
Building on Previous Encounters
This tour follows the Sri Lanka Emerging Team's visit to Antigua in 2025, where both teams competed in two four-day matches, splitting the results, and three one-day matches, with the Academy winning two.
A Strategic Development Opportunity
The upcoming series will consist of two four-day matches and three 50-over games, marking a crucial investment in nurturing the next generation of West Indies cricketers. This experience will allow players to adapt to challenging subcontinental conditions while facing strong opponents.
Squad Composition and Coaching Staff
The squad showcases a mix of emerging talent, with thirteen players regularly participating in the Academy program. Notable members include Johann Layne, Jediah Blades, and Zishan Motara, all of whom have represented the region at the senior level. With Ackeem Auguste selected for the West Indies Senior Team and Carlon Bowen-Tuckett unavailable for personal reasons, emerging talents Kevlon Anderson, Shaqkere Parris, and Johann Jeremiah will gain valuable international experience.
Ryan Hercules, Head Coach of the Guyana Harpy Eagles, will join the Academy as an Assistant Coach for this tour, providing additional expertise to the coaching staff.
Insights from Leadership
Ramesh Subasinghe, the Academy Head Coach, emphasized the tour's objectives: "Our goal is straightforward: to elevate players to the next stage of their careers. Tours like this are vital for that progression. Sri Lanka has historically posed challenges for West Indian teams, making this tour an ideal opportunity for our emerging talents to test their skills in demanding conditions."
"Last year, we hosted a competitive series against Sri Lanka in Antigua, resulting in four players from that squad advancing to the West Indies senior men's team, with others securing regional franchise and CPL opportunities," he noted.
Importance of the Tour
Dwain Gill, CWI's High-Performance Manager, underscored the tour's significance within the broader player development strategy. He stated, "This tour is a crucial part of our long-term development pathway as we continue to invest in the future of West Indies cricket. Such opportunities allow our emerging players to experience competitive international settings, adapt to new conditions, and enhance their technical, tactical, and mental skills necessary for the highest level of the game."
Tour Logistics
The squad will first travel to Hambantota for the four-day matches before heading to Colombo for the white-ball segment of the tour. All matches will adhere to standard ICC playing conditions.
Squad and Team Management
West Indies Academy Squad:
Rivaldo Clarke (Captain), Kevlon Anderson, Ryan Bandoo, Jediah Blades, Giovonte Depeiza, Mavendra Dindyal, Nathan Edward, Damel Evelyn, Amari Goodridge, Johann Jeremiah, Shaqkere Parris, Mbeki Joseph, Johann Layne, Zishan Motara, Kelvin Pitman, and Raneico Smith.
Team Management Unit:
Ramesh Subasinghe - Head Coach, Rohan Nurse - Assistant Coach, Ryan Hercules - Assistant Coach, Shanique Peters - Physiotherapist, Hance Richards - Strength and Conditioning Coach, Clint St Hill - Manager.
Match Schedule
June 8-11: 4-Day 1 at Mahindra Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.
June 15-18: 4-Day 2 at Mahindra Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.
June 22: 50-Over 1 at Sinhalese Cricket Club.
June 24: 50-Over 2 at Sinhalese Cricket Club.
June 26: 50-Over 3 at Nondescripts Cricket Club.