Lanka look to end series on high

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Pallekele (Sri Lanka), Nov. 30: Skipper Kumar Sangakkara expects Sri Lanka to put in a solid performance as they seek to clinch the series with a win in the third and final Test against the West Indies starting on Wednesday.

The series is tied 0-0 following rain-hit drawn matches in Colombo and Galle and the weather is expected to play the spoilsport again at the new Pallekele International Stadium.

Sri Lanka had a workout in the morning, but rain washed out the West Indies’ practice session at the stadium in the afternoon. “The series will probably be decided on this Test provided there’s play on all five days. We’ll come back tomorrow morning, assess the situation and work hard for a win,” Sangakkara told reporters on Tuesday.

The hosts were strongly placed in the second Test in Colombo where they bowled the tourists out for 243 after posting 387-9 declared, but rain denied them a chance to press home the advantage.

Sri Lanka’s spinners impressed in the last match, with Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis and part-timer Tillakaratne Dilshan taking three wickets apiece to back seamers Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Kulasekara. The Sri Lankan captain said it would be disappointing if they finished the series without a victory due to rain.

“We have to be positive. The bowlers have got to deliver in every game and so do the batsmen. Everyone has got to be tough and able enough to deal with every situation and fight as hard as we can,” said Sangakkara.

The West Indies, who arrived in the country with new captain Darren Sammy and an inexperienced bowling attack, performed better in the opening match before finding themselves in a series-winning situation.

Led by Chris Gayle’s superb 333, the tourists enforced a follow-on when they restricted Sri Lanka to 378 after scoring 580-9 declared. “I think we have been pretty consistent in the series and just need to continue with that,” said West Indies coach Ottis Gibson.

“There is nothing we can do about the weather, but there is still a chance to win the series. So to be in with a chance to win the series away from home is exciting and all the players are well aware of it,” he said.

Barring Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who has made 40 in two completed innings, all the top-order batsmen have scored a half-century in the series, but Gibson said the final match was an opportunity for the veteran to regain form. — AFP

The teams

Sri Lanka (from): Sangakkara (capt), M. Jayawardene, T. Dilshan, T. Paranavitana, Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, P. Jayawardene, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath, Thilina Kandamby, Kaushal Silva, Shaminda Eranga.

West Indies (from): Darren Sammy (capt), Brendan Nash, Chris Gayle, Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Nelon Pascal, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Devon Thomas.

Pic Caption:
Sri Lanka’s Suranga Lakmal bowls during a practice session in Pallekele on Tuesday, eve of the third and final Test against West Indies.