by Rex Clementine

For most of us, there’s no greater pleasure than watching Sri Lanka triumph. But, when our lads aren’t in the fray, it’s the West Indies that steal our hearts. It’s no accident that so many of us have a soft spot for the men in maroon – perhaps it’s their thrilling domination in the 1970s and 80s, a golden era that swept fans off their feet and turned cricket into a carnival. The spirit and swagger with which they played captured the world’s admiration, making them everyone’s second team.

Take, for instance, a moment with Sidath Wettimuny. Fresh off his iconic hundred at Lord’s, becoming the first Sri Lankan to reach that milestone at the hallowed ground, Sidath was signing autographs when a tap on his shoulder stopped him. He turned, and there was none other than Sir Viv Richards. “Good knock, maan. Great cover drives. I just came to wish you,” Richards said, exuding that legendary West Indian warmth.

Sidath was stunned, goosebumps racing down his spine. Here stood a man who’d sent the world’s best bowlers running for cover, coming over to applaud him. “They’re just nice people, the West Indians,” Sidath told this newspaper once. “They never sledged; they always appreciated their opponents. That’s how cricket should be played.” The West Indies weren’t just competitors; they were ambassadors of sportsmanship, elevating the game with their grace.

The impact of West Indian brilliance lingered long after. When Brian Lara danced through Sri Lanka in the 2001 series, amassing a staggering 688 runs – 42% of his team’s total – it left such an indelible mark that two years later, Sri Lanka felt the tremors at the World Cup in Cape Town. A dropped catch by Marvan Atapattu gave Lara a lifeline, and skipper Sanath Jayasuriya was so furious that he didn’t speak to his vice-captain for two whole weeks. Imagine that – sharing the same dressing room, same bus, same hotel, all while giving each other the silent treatment. It speaks volumes about the reverence Sri Lankans had for Lara’s ruthless elegance.

Viv Richards was a hero to so many of us, but even most of us right-handers dreamed of playing with the finesse of the left-handed Lara. Every drive, every flick was poetry in motion.

And then, of course, there was Christopher Henry Gayle – a colossus at the crease. He remains the only overseas player to score a triple century in Sri Lanka, and it was a knock that shook Galle to its core. Early in his innings, Dhammika Prasad had Gayle caught off a no-ball. After that reprieve, Gayle unleashed hell. Sixes rained down, with some even landing at the Galle bus halt, leaving Prasad wondering if he could vanish into thin air.

The quicks? Oh, they were fire-breathing dragons. Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Joel Garner, and Malcolm Marshall instilled terror. When that fearsome quartet handed over the baton, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose ensured the West Indies pace legacy roared on. It wasn’t just fast bowling; it was fast-bowling artistry.

Who do they have now? Enter Alzarri Joseph from Antigua – all six-foot-four of him, bowling serious thunderbolts that have batters trembling. He’s not the only Joseph on the 150 km/h express, either. Shamar Joseph, fresh from a spell that humbled the Aussies at the Gabba, could be one to keep a close eye on in Dambulla. Playing through pain, Shamar carved out a moment of pure grit in that historic Aussie fortress, a place where visiting teams rarely win. That spell was one for the ages.

What about their batters? While Nicholas Pooran, their brightest star, isn’t touring, there’s no shortage of firepower. Brandon King, Evin Lewis, and Sherfane Rutherford bring the kind of raw hitting that sends spectators scrambling for cover. Each of them promises to put on a show in Dambulla, reminding us once more why we can’t help but love the West Indies.