Windies A captain expected tougher opposition after steam rolling Sri Lanka A in T20

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent,  CMC- West Indies A Captain Dwayne Smith said he was expecting stronger opposition from Sri Lanka in the second of the two-match T20 series between the two sides at Arnos Vale on Wednesday.

West Indies A won the series by scoring a convincing five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka after the first T20 was rained out on Tuesday.

“I really thought they would have given us a better fight but having said that our boys bowled well and we also fielded well so it was good.” Smith said.

Opener Lendl Simmons smashed an undefeated 51 to lead the Caribbean side to 83 for five in response to the visitors’ 82.

Smith says poor shot selection by the Sri Lankans contributed to his team’s success.

“Our plan was to bowl first because of the weather. We didn’t know what would have happened if it was rain or anything so at the end you would know what score you have to get and it should be easier to plan for,” the Captain said.

“Some of their players played some careless shots so that helped us but we can’t bother with that. That’s cricket.”

Simmons faced 42 balls in his half century which included five sixes and three fours.

“I think Lendl batted very good, especially on a pitch like that where it was slow and was hard to keep knocking the ball out the park,” said Smith.

“I got off to a good start too and then I gave it away in the end there but it was good to see, and I was glad ‘Simmo’ got in the runs again.”

Sri Lanka A and West Indies A will next meet in the first of three 50-over matches in Grenada, starting on Sunday.