Sri Lanka and Windies rely on youngsters .

Two equally matched teams, Sri Lanka and the West Indies will be hoping that their youngsters will inspire the country to victory when the two Test series gets underway on October 14 at the Galle International Stadium. The series is also of great significance considering the fact that the two teams will be battling for the Sobers-Tissera Trophy which is named after two former great cricketers who represented their respective countries with distinction. Both teams are in a period of transition with Sri Lanka hoping to bounce back into recognition following two back to back series defeats at the hands of Pakistan and India while the West Indies are also determined to get back into the winning ways. Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews addressing a media briefing at the Taj Samudra Hotel yesterday, said that the players are keen to put aside their bad dreams and to strike form during the Test series which will be followed by three one day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals.
“We are very much focused on this Test series and we are quite confident that the players will deliver the desired results on the field after a disappointing series against Pakistan and India,” revealed the Sri Lankan captain. “We know the West Indies is one the most nicest teams on and off the field and they are no doubt missing out some of their greats but they are capable of turning things around and defeating any side on their day” added Mathews.
This series will also be a tough one for skipper Mathews whose batting skills will be tested severely following the retirement of the two legends Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara for the first time. Meanwhile West Indies captain Jason Holder believed that his team has been inspired after the series was named after one of their former great cricketers Sir Garfield Sobers and their ambition is to take away this prestigious trophy back to the Caribbean.
“We are really enjoying the weather here in Sri Lanka and the players are certainly looking forward to the three day practice match so that they will have a good work out ahead of the opening Test match” said Holder. “We are looking forward to a hard fought series and we are fully aware of our opponents’ strengths and weak points having studied their performances during the recent series against Pakistan and India” added the West Indies captain. Holder also said that the absence of regular coach Phil Simmons is a huge setback for the side but hoped that the players would put aside their on and off field controversies and concentrate on cricket so that they will be able to improve on their ICC Test Rankings.