West Indies meet Sri Lanka as ODI cricket returns to Sabina Park

International cricket is back at Sabina Park, where West Indies begin an ODI series against Sri Lanka in a contest expected to be closely matched.

The regional side enter the series ranked seventh, with Sri Lanka sitting ninth, making the matchup one that should give supporters a fair measure of where both teams stand.

With no single headline attraction being presented as the main draw, the West Indies board and the players will be banking on supporters’ appetite for the game to bring a strong crowd to the Kingston venue.

The moment also underlines how far West Indies cricket has moved from its strongest years, when the team carried a much larger global pull.

Selection has added another talking point for Jamaican fans. Left-handed batsman John Campbell is the only Jamaican named in the squad, a decision likely to renew debate about the selectors’ approach.

Still, the tone around the team remains hopeful. Many supporters continue to have deep affection for West Indies cricket, and a victory in the opening match could quickly lift interest around the series.