The Cricket West Indies (CWI) is all set to host its first ever day-night Test in the Caribbean at the Kensington Oval in Barbados against Sri Lanka on June 23, a recent official release from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said.
This will be the Windies' third day-night Test affair while only the second for Sri Lanka who claimed a dominant victory over Pakistan in their maiden appearance in October 2017. Apparently, the schedule released by Cricket West Indies in December 2017 had Kensington Oval as the venue for the second Test whilst Darren Sammy Cricket Ground had been marked for the third and final Test of the series.
The recent release from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), however, cleared the air, indicating a swap of venues for Tests second and third. This series will also stamp Sri Lanka's first Test visit to the island nation in 10 years after they drew the series 1-1 (sealing their first Test win in the Caribbean while at it) the last time they visited - in March 2008.
"CWI wanted a day night Test, but we (SLC) had told them that it has to be either the first or the last Test. They decided to make it the last," SLC CEO Ashley de Silva told Cricbuzz.
Ahead of the Tests, Sri Lanka will start their tour with a three-day practice match at the Brian Lara Cricket Ground in Trinidad starting on May 30.