West Indies Academy depart for Sri Lanka tour

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – A 16-member West Indies Academy squad departed the region for a reciprocal tour of Sri Lanka, where they will face the Sri Lanka Emerging Players in a multi-format series from June 3–27, 2026.

The tour follows last year’s visit by the Sri Lanka Emerging Team to Antigua, where the sides contested two four-day matches (splitting the series 1–1) and three One-Day matches, with the Academy claiming a 2–1 victory.

This year’s fixture list once again comprises two four-day matches and three 50-over contests, representing another significant investment in the development of the next generation of West Indies cricketers.

The tour offers players valuable overseas experience and the chance to adapt to challenging subcontinental conditions against quality opposition.

The squad features a strong blend of emerging regional talent, with 13 members being regular participants in the Academy programme. Johann Layne, Jediah Blades and Zishan Motara have each already represented the West Indies at the senior level.

With Ackeem Auguste selected for the West Indies Senior Team and Carlon Bowen-Tuckett unavailable for personal reasons, emerging players Kevlon Anderson, Shaqkere Parris and Johann Jeremiah have been afforded international developmental experience.

Guyana Harpy Eagles head coach Ryan Hercules will join the Academy coaching staff as an assistant coach for the tour, adding further experience to the management unit.

Academy head coach Ramesh Subasinghe spoke about the tour’s objectives.

“Our Academy objective is simple: to develop players into the next level of their careers, and tours like this play a key part in that journey,” Subasinghe said. “Sri Lanka has historically been one of the toughest places for West Indian teams. This tour represents the perfect platform to immerse our brightest emerging talent in conditions that will truly test and shape them.”

He added: “Last year we hosted a highly competitive home series against Sri Lanka in Antigua, and four players from that squad have since gone on to represent the West Indies senior men’s team, with many others earning regional franchise and CPL opportunities.”

CWI’s High-Performance manager, Dwain Gill, highlighted the tour’s significance within the organisation’s wider player development strategy.

“This tour is an extremely important component of our long-term development pathway programme as we continue to invest in the future of West Indies cricket,” Gill said. “Opportunities like these allow our emerging players to experience competitive international environments, adapt to unfamiliar conditions and further develop the technical, tactical and mental skills required at the highest level of the game.”

The squad will travel to Hambantota for the four-day series before moving to Colombo for the white-ball leg, with all matches played under standard ICC playing conditions.

West Indies Academy Squad

Rivaldo Clarke (Captain), Kevlon Anderson, Ryan Bandoo, Jediah Blades, Giovonte Depeiza, Mavendra Dindyal, Nathan Edward, Damel Evelyn, Amari Goodridge, Johann Jeremiah, Shaqkere Parris, Mbeki Joseph, Johann Layne, Zishan Motara, Kelvin Pitman, Raneico Smith

Match Schedule

June 8–11: 4-Day #1 – Mahindra Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

June 15–18: 4-Day #2 – Mahindra Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

June 22: 50-Over #1 – Sinhalese Cricket Club, Colombo

June 24: 50-Over #2 – Sinhalese Cricket Club, Colombo

June 26: 50-Over #3 – Nondescripts Cricket Club, Colombo

CMC