West Indies sharpen ODI plans for Sri Lanka series at Sabina Park

West Indies captain Shai Hope says the regional side is building confidence ahead of a three-match One-Day International series against Sri Lanka, which begins Wednesday, June 3, at Sabina Park in Kingston.

The series opens an important 10-month stretch for the Caribbean team, whose latest ICC ODI ranking leaves them 10th overall and outside the automatic qualifying places for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. The tournament will feature 14 teams, with South Africa and Zimbabwe already qualified as co-hosts. Outside of those two, only the top eight ranked sides are assured of places, and West Indies are currently ninth in that race.

The remaining four World Cup spots will be settled through the ICC World Cup Qualifier, involving associate teams and full members who miss direct entry. That has added weight to the Sri Lanka series and given the West Indies preparation camp a sharper tone.

Hope said the squad has been working with greater precision. “What I liked about the camp so far is that we're paying much closer detail to what we're trying to achieve,” he said, adding that elite teams must make every practice session count. He said the preparation has gone well and the players are continuing to grow in confidence.

History against Sri Lanka offers a mixed picture. Sri Lanka have won six of the 10 ODI series contested between the teams, while West Indies have taken three. However, the Caribbean side have not lost a home ODI series to Sri Lanka since 2003.

Hope said Sri Lanka remain a strong international opponent, so West Indies must be clear in their planning, both with bat and ball. He pointed to finding scoring options, reducing pressure periods, taking wickets regularly and managing the closing stages of an innings as key areas.

The captain also noted that ranking points are available, making the series especially important. West Indies enter the contest with momentum at home, having won their last four ODI series in the Caribbean, their longest such run since 1990.