Sri Lanka’s prospects in the World Test Championship (WTC) are precariously balanced on their ability to win home series, according to veteran player de Silva. Reflecting on a missed opportunity to reach the WTC final, de Silva emphasized,
"We had a big chance to get to final but unfortunately we couldn't do it."As the new WTC cycle begins, Sri Lanka faces a challenging schedule described as
"both scant, and wonky", with only six two-match series planned. This limited fixture list contrasts sharply with other cricketing powerhouses: Australia, England, and India are set to play 22, 21, and 18 Tests respectively during the same period. Angelo Mathews, who retired earlier this year alongside Dimuth Karunaratne, voiced his disappointment over the sparse schedule, stating,
"I feel there has to be a minimum of 10 matches at least in a year. Teams like England, India, or Australia are playing 15-plus games a year."The retirements of Karunaratne and Mathews, both instrumental in Sri Lanka’s limited recent success, add to the team’s challenges. Mathews highlighted the urgency for more Test cricket to nurture younger talent, noting,
"The younger generation is urging for more Test cricket. Test cricket is obviously the pinnacle of cricket."De Silva stressed the importance of capitalizing on home advantage, saying,
"As we start a new cycle, we know we have to win our home series. We need to pick up all those points." With a tough road ahead, Sri Lanka’s WTC ambitions depend heavily on maximizing points from their limited opportunities.
Key Stats:- Sri Lanka finished sixth in the previous WTC cycle after losing all matches.
- Mathews ranks third in Sri Lanka’s all-time Test run charts with 8,167 runs in 118 matches, behind Sangakkara and Jayawardene.
This combination of a limited schedule, key retirements, and the need for home victories sets a critical tone for Sri Lanka’s WTC campaign.
Sri Lanka’s hopes in the World Test Championship hinge on winning home series, says de Silva, amid concerns over a limited and uneven Test schedule. Retirements of key players Karunaratne and Mathews add to challenges, with Mathews urging for more Test matches to develop younger talent.
