West Indies End 23-Year Wait with Historic Test Series Victory Over Sri Lanka
West Indies defeated Sri Lanka 1-0 to win the Sobers–Tissera Trophy, securing their first Test series victory over Sri Lanka in 23 years after the second Test ended in a draw.
Prasanth Subramani
The West Indies created history by defeating Sri Lanka 1-0 to win the Sobers–Tissera Trophy, securing their first Test series victory over Sri Lanka in 23 years. The landmark achievement was confirmed after the second and final Test ended in a draw at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, marking a significant milestone in the Caribbean side's resurgence in Test cricket.
West Indies entered the second Test with a 1-0 lead after producing a dominant performance in the series opener. The hosts crushed Sri Lanka by an innings and 217 runs, one of their most emphatic Test victories in recent years. Veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach reached the prestigious milestone of 300 Test wickets, while the batting lineup amassed a commanding 626/9 declared, leaving Sri Lanka under immense pressure.
The second Test developed into a high-scoring contest. Sri Lanka posted an impressive 549/9 declared in their first innings, powered by Lahiru Udara's superb 188 and valuable contributions from Kamindu Mendis (84), Sonal Dinusha (92), and Kusal Mendis (69). West Indies responded with determination, thanks to a magnificent 180 from Justin Greaves and a composed century from captain Shai Hope, who scored 112, guiding the hosts to a competitive total of 499.
In the final innings, Sri Lanka declared at 251/9, setting West Indies a challenging target. Rather than risking defeat in pursuit of victory, openers John Campbell and Brandon King batted with discipline and confidence, finishing unbeaten on 51 runs each to ensure the match ended in a draw and secure the historic series win.
Justin Greaves emerged as the standout performer of the series, earning both the **Player of the Match** and **Player of the Series** awards for his exceptional all-round contributions. His brilliant century in the second Test, combined with crucial wickets throughout the series, played a pivotal role in West Indies' success.
The triumph is particularly significant as it marks West Indies' first Test series victory over Sri Lanka since 2003, ending a 23-year wait. It is also the team's first Test series win since February 2023, providing a major confidence boost under the leadership of Roston Chase as they continue rebuilding in the ICC World Test Championship.
Cricket fans across the Caribbean have celebrated the memorable achievement, viewing it as a strong sign of the West Indies' revival in the longest format of the game. With experienced players delivering consistently and emerging talent making a strong impact, the team will look to carry this momentum into its upcoming international assignments.
