Darren Sammy
Sri Lanka beat the West Indies for the first time in a T20 series 2-1 but the result left the visiting Caribbean cricketers sore and sulking they were fouled on a deliberately doctored pitch against its run-glut reputation at the Dambulla International Stadium.
Having won the first game of a three-match series after chasing down a 180-target, the West Indies team was subdued for a mere 89 runs in the second game on a pitch that was akin to the final day’s play of a Test match as a three-member Sri Lanka spin force wrapped up the proceedings in 12.1 of the 16.1 overs bowled while taking nine of the ten wickets in defending 162.
Coach of the West Indies team Darren Sammy made no secret that the turn-around was a strangulation most foul that played in favour of Sri Lanka in the remaining two matches within 48 hours.
“After one game you see a massive change in what was prepared before. If the wickets (pitches) are difficult from the start, then it is okay. But when you come to a place (Dambulla) and the conditions tell you it is a 190 wicket, you restrict the home team to 180 (in the first T20) and you chase it down.
“You turn up two days later and you see a totally different wicket (pitch) for the second match. If we started the series like in the last two games then it would have been okay”, said Sammy who captained the West Indies team to win the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2012.
But his backlash over the switch in pitch conditions was nothing new for the host team to worry about as traditionally Sri Lanka has won more matches on slow spin-friendly pitches and none could have been more honest than series-winning captain Charith Asalanka who was unruffled by Sammy’s declaration.
“Our strength lies in spin and we prepared the pitch to suit our strengths and spin made our victory easy. If you look at the scores on the board I don’t think the wicket was a substandard pitch”, Asalanka claimed.
Sri Lanka in all probability was forced to alter the pitch conditions after the frontline spin duo of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga were ripped apart conceding 69 runs in eight overs on a batting friendly strip while the fast bowlers were hammered for 91 runs in just 9.1 overs in the first game.
But Sammy, while also acknowledging there was a factor called “home advantage” where playing surfaces are prepared to suit the whims and fancies of the country hosting the matches, cautioned that living in cosy comforts was not the right way to the future.
“There is home advantage, but what good does that make for the development of your squad, especially your fast bowlers”, said Sammy a former fast bowler whose amiable character endeared himself to Sri Lankan followers more than any other from the Caribbean.
