KINGSTON, Jamaica- The West Indies will kickstart a highly anticipated summer of cricket with an exciting three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka at Sabina Park from June 3–8.
Sabina Park, a venue that has traditionally been a happy hunting ground for the Caribbean side in ODI cricket, will host its first match in the format in four years.
Since recording a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Australia in their first ODI at Sabina Park in 1984, the West Indies have played 36 ODI matches at the venue, winning 24 of them.
The Sri Lankans have only played against the West Indies once at the venue in ODI’s, where they went down by six wickets.
History also favours the home team against their counterparts in the Caribbean, winning three of the five series against their opponents in the region, including a dominant 3-0 win in Antigua in 2021.
The series comes at the start of a crucial stage in the West Indies campaign for automatic qualification to the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup and the regional team has shown supremacy at home by registering four straight ODI series wins at home.
The West Indies are chasing a fifth consecutive ODI victory, a feat they have not achieved since their remarkable run of eight straight wins between 1980 and 1990. During their current streak, the Men in Maroon have matched the world’s leading teams in several key batting metrics.
Since 2024, West Indies have recorded the highest scoring rate in ODI cricket during the final 10 overs (41-50), operating at a strike rate of 162.2. Their boundary percentage of 59.5% is 5.9 percentage points higher than second-ranked England over the same period.
Against spin bowling between overs 11 and 40, the regional side boasts a strike rate of 88.3, just 3.3 points behind England. From 2024 to 2026, England accumulated 2,270 runs against spin in 26 matches, while West Indies scored 2,225 runs in 27 matches. Only Sri Lanka (2,830 runs) and England have scored more runs against spin than the West Indies during this phase of an innings.
The Caribbean side has also excelled against pace bowling. Between overs 11 and 40, West Indies batters lead the world in sixes hit, striking 47 during that period. Overall, they have smashed a world-leading 190 sixes in 27 matches, comfortably ahead of England (169), Pakistan (154), and South Africa (153).
Captain Shai Hope sees the transformation of the team’s fortunes has been based on a consistent level of performance from a settled middle order.
“I believe the way how we’ve been batting for the last year or two has been solid and consistent. Keacy Carty has been prolific in his number three position, Sherfane Rutherford doing the same thing.”
Hope also added.
“We’ve had a very strong top six over the last couple of years and the data has shown that we’ve improved in many areas, especially in the middle overs when we face a lot of spin but we have found ways to combat that.”
With the ball, the West Indies have also been among the most effective teams during the first powerplay, claiming 45 wickets over the same period. That tally ranks third globally, behind Sri Lanka (55) and New Zealand (52), while placing the Caribbean side ahead of reigning world champions Australia, who have taken 42 wickets.
Skipper Hope explained the magnitude of the results for the bowling unit.
“The bowling has been exceptional especially the last couple of series we’ve played on home soil. We saw the likes of Jayden Seales against Pakistan last time we played in the Caribbean, but we are trying to the balance right between bat and ball and just ensure we are playing the best cricket whenever the umpires call play.”
In the field, under the guidance of coach Rayon Griffith, the West Indies have also emerged as one of the leading teams globally. Between 2024 and 2026, the Caribbean side ranks fourth in catches taken with 126. They are also third in catches taken during the opening powerplay, holding 33 catches, level with England and just three behind leaders New Zealand.
During the death overs (41-50), the West Indies rank fourth in catches taken among all ODI teams, trailing only New Zealand, Australia and Bangladesh.
Shai Hope is on the verge of a significant milestone, needing just two appearances in the upcoming three-match ODI series to reach 150 One-Day International matches for the West Indies. He would become only the 15th player from the region to achieve that feat.
Hope has also scored 19 ODI centuries and is one away from surpassing Brian Lara’s tally to move into sole possession of second place on the West Indies’ all-time list. The record is held by Chris Gayle with 25 ODI centuries.
Meanwhile, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, and Jayden Seales are all closing in on 50 ODI wickets. Chase currently has 45 wickets, Motie 42, and Seales 40.
After completing the three-match series against Sri Lanka, the West Indies will host New Zealand in a five-match ODI series. The fixtures will be shared between Providence Stadium and Kensington Oval.
