Sri Lanka begin their quest to create history in the Caribbean tomorrow, when the first Test in their series of two against West Indies opens at the Guyana National Stadium.On their two previous trips to the Caribbean, the Sri Lankans have walked away empty-handed — losing 1-0 on both occasions in series of the same length.But there is heightened expectation that they can achieve their first series victory in the Caribbean on this trip. “As a team, we have been playing some really good cricket and our Test record speaks for itself,” said Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jaywardene.There is also a second objective for the Sri Lankans in this series — and it is to enhance their record away from home. Two drawn series against England and New Zealand in the last two years may have suggested that Sri Lanka may be turning the corner overseas, but they suffered a setback when Australia won both Tests in their series last November.Sri Lanka’s attack has been compromised with the absence of Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, and Farveez Maharoof, but Jayawardene feels it’s an opportunity for someone else to play a key role. “We have some really talented players coming through the set-up, and though we failed to win on our last two tours of the Caribbean, we are determined to win and show that this is not a lost opportunity.”The West Indies final 11 will be of great interest, since Ramnaresh Sarwan is making his return to the line-up, following a spate of injuries over the last nine months.
