linkColombo, Sri Lanka – West Indies opening batsman Adrian Barath knows he has a key role to play in the upcoming series. The little right-hander is all set for what will be a big assignment in the upcoming three Test matches. Speaking on Tuesday, Barath said he is ready and looking forward to the challenge. As part of his preparation he has been seeking the advice of batting ace and experienced team-mate Shiv Chanderpaul.
“I have been talking to Shiv a lot. I have been trying to get word from him on what to expect in the upcoming matches. He told me about the different conditions in the various venues and he also gave me some good advice on the bowlers we can expect to come up against. He told we need to be physically and mentally strong and that is what I am going to do. He is a great man to talk to and he always gives great advice. I am learning a lot from him. We had a great time at the camp in Barbados and since we came here we have hit the ground running with sessions in the pool, in the gym and in the nets,” Barath said.
A little under a year ago, the 20-year-old Barath made his Test debut against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane. He announced himself with a blazing 104 off 138 balls in just his second Test innings and impressed everyone. The left-handed Chanderpaul, at age 36, has been playing at the international level for over 16 years and has appeared in 126 Tests. The former ICC International Cricketer-of-the-Year is just 31 runs away from the milestone of 9000 career runs.
“This is my first time in Sri Lanka ... it’s a new experience for me. I have played in India in the Champions League and in the IPL and the conditions here are similar to those in India. But this is Test cricket and a completely different ball game. It is going to be challenging as we will be playing against Sri Lanka in their backyard, but I’m fully confident that we can rise to the challenge. This is my job, to go out there and represent the West Indies, and I am really looking forward to this series.”
The Windies will have another training session on Tuesday afternoon at the Singhalese Sport Club. The opening tour match will be against the Sri Lanka President’s XI on Wednesday at the SSC. First ball is 10 am (12.30 am Eastern Caribbean Time/11.30 pm Tuesday Jamaica Time).
Gwaan Barath talk to Shiv
