Sri Lanka and the West Indies will begin their two-Test cricket series starting today at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on a pitch that is expected to offer spin and turn to the slow bowlers.
But Sri Lanka is not expected to have anything on a platter after suffering two Test defeats against England in January this year at the same venue.
Both teams put off naming their respective playing X1 until the morning of the match with the side winning the toss expected to bat first.
The series also marks the end of the stint of coach Mickey Arthur who has not had an interesting stay with the team that hit the bottom of the ranks in international cricket in both Tests and white ball cricket.
Sri Lanka has not played a Test match since beating Bangladesh in a series in April this year and the two-Test series is expected to be closely followed with the West Indies also in need of lifting their image in the international rankings.
A notable absentee in the Sri Lanka team will be wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella who missed a maiden century against England by eight runs at the same venue in January this year and at present is serving a one-year ban for misconduct on a tour of England in July.
Also out of the side is batsman Kusal Mendis for the same reason although he had a poor series against England at the same venue.
Sri Lanka’s batting will however revolve around skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando and Charith Asalanka in the squad which also has spinners Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Embuldeniya and Praveen Jayawickrema,
Also packed in a 22-member squad for the series are fast bowlers Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando and Suranga Lakmal.
Sri Lanka has also drawn in three young uncapped players in Kamil Mishara, Chamika Gunasekera and Suminda Lakshan.
The West Indies are also in possession of some capable Test batters in skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Shai Hope and Kyle Myers while their fast bowling will revolve around Kemar Roache, Shannon Gabriel and Jayden Seales.
Sri Lanka squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Angelo Mathews, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Minod Bhanuka, Roshane Silva, Kamil Mishara, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrema, Suminda Lakshan, Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara Asitha Fernando, Chamika Gunasekera.
West Indies squad:
Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Kyle Myers, Kemar Roache, Shannon Gabriel, Jayden Seales, Joshua da Silva, Rahkeem Cornwall, Weerasammy Permaul, Jeremy Solozano, Jomel Warrican.