Bina is back - Hope, the anchor as Windies face World Cup reality check at famed venue

Cricket, lovely cricket returns to Jamaican shores today as the West Indies and Sri Lanka face off in a series that provides more action than the famous Sabina Park has seen in recent years.

The first One-Day International (ODI) between the teams begins at 9:30 a.m.

The regional side has spent six months in the wilderness, with five defeats in their last six ODIs, and Daren Sammy and his men will have to hit the ground running, with World Cup qualification looming large.

West Indies captain Shai Hope didn't seem too perturbed about the task at hand as the skipper spoke calmly. But beneath the composure was an unmistakable edge. This series isn't about pride. It's about survival.

West Indies did not play in the 2023 World Cup. Neither they nor Sri Lanka took part in the last Champions Trophy. For two proud cricketing nations, those absences left scars.

Under the 2027 World Cup qualification structure, the eight highest-ranked teams, excluding co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, will book automatic berths on March 31, 2027. Everyone else scrapes through a qualifier.

West Indies currently sit 10th in the ODI rankings. Sri Lanka are sixth. Every match, every run, every wicket from now on matters, and Hope knows this all too well.

"We're here on home soil, and we've been playing really well, so execution is the main thing. Hopefully, we can get a good start tomorrow (today) and get on a roll."

Sri Lanka warmed up for the match by smashing over 300 against a Jamaica XI, with Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, and Janith Liyanage all cashing in with half-centuries.

The visitors' bowlers also showed good touch, with Dushmantha Chameera taking three for eight and Dunith Wellalage three for 10.

Assistant coach Ryan van Niekerk summed up his team's mentality heading into the opening fixture.

"We are here to win, and we've come up with a plan. We've come with some really good intentions."

But history offers Hope and his men a warm embrace. The last time these sides met in the Caribbean in Antigua, in March 2021, the West Indies swept Sri Lanka 3-0. And Hope was instrumental, scoring a series-leading 258 runs with one century and two half-centuries.

When asked which department gives him more confidence, batting or bowling, Hope didn't hesitate.

"I don't want to point fingers at a particular facet, but I just believe the way we've been batting for the last year or two, probably even longer, with the top six being tremendous. Barring the opening pair every now and again, we've been pretty solid and consistent.

"Keacy Carty has been prolific at number three. Sherfane Rutherford is doing the same thing. We've had a pretty strong top six. The data shows we've improved in many areas, especially the middle overs when we usually face a lot of spin. We've been finding ways to combat that.

"If I had to choose one, maybe our batting."

He was quick to praise the bowlers, too, specifically Jayden Seales, who ran through Pakistan's top order in the last home series.

"But the bowling has been exceptional as well," Hope added. "It's about getting the balance right. Consistency with both bat and ball."

Preparation, Hope insisted, has been "very fruitful", with the clarity there and each player's role defined.

"I think the guys are very clear about what they need to do in the coming days, so it's just about executing now. The key is to win."