Friday, November 5th 2010 – Bridgetown, Barbados: The Digicel-sponsored West Indies cricket team today departed from the Grantley Adams International Airport in Bridgetown, Barbados for its tour of Sri Lanka.

Digicel-sponsored all-rounder, Darren Sammy, will have his first run as team Captain as he leads a West Indian 15 on the tour of Sri Lanka, who are number three in the ICC World rankings. The series includes three Test Matches, five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and one Twenty20 (T20) match. The tour will take place across five of Sri Lanka’s most famous cricket stadiums from November 15th – December 21st.

Darren Sammy said; “I am thrilled to be leading the team on this tour of Sri Lanka in my first outing as Captain. We’ve had a very good training camp this week here in Barbados. There have been some good opportunities for team building as well as fitness improvement so we’re feeling confident about the series.”

The West Indies squad was gathered in Barbados for a specially designed training camp which covered the required preparation areas for top athletes – the mental, physical, technical and tactical components of the sport.

Digicel Group Head of Sponsorship, Karl Donnelly, said; “As proud sponsor of West Indies cricket, and on behalf of the whole Digicel family, we want to wish the team the very best of luck on its tour of Sri Lanka. While the team is obviously going through certain transitions, we’re very excited to see how they perform. Reports from the Barbados camp have been very positive so let’s hope Coach Gibson, Captain Darren Sammy, and the guys make us proud.” 

Of the 23-man squad, ten will depart this evening and will join the remaining 13 who left yesterday. The team will spend two weeks preparing and acclimatising before the first test bowls off on November 15th in the Galle International Stadium. 

The full schedule for the West Indies away series versus Sri Lanka as follows:

Mon Nov 15 - Fri Nov 19:
1st Test - Galle International Stadium

Tue Nov 23 - Sat Nov 27:
2nd Test - P Sara Oval, Colombo

Wed Dec 1 - Sun Dec 5:
3rd Test - Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

Thu Dec 9:
1st ODI - Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambanthota

Sat Dec 11:
2nd ODI - Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambanthota

Wed Dec 15:
3rd ODI - R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Fri Dec 17:
4th ODI - R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Sun Dec 19:
5th ODI - R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Tue Dec 21:
T20I - R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo 

ENDS