World Test Championship Another spin-friendly wicket on the cards for Second Test

Sri Lanka players celebrate after getting the last West Indies wicket in the first test- File photo

By Amindha de Alwis

A dry spin-conducive surface is expected for the second of the two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and West Indies which will get underway today in Galle.

Sri Lanka wrapped up a fairly comfortable 187-run victory in the first Test played last week - albeit only a few minutes before the heavens opened up on day 5 - and will be seeking to add a further 12 points to their World Test Championship tally.

Fast-bowler Dushmantha Chameera is set to be rested for today’s game and Sri Lanka is weighing out the options of going in with an extra batsman or continuing with two pacemen.

Speaking on the eve of the game, former-skipper Dinesh Chandimal revealed that Charith Asalanka could be in line to make his debut should Sri Lanka opt for the extra batsman. It is far from a straightforward decision, however, given the team may want the cushion of the second fast bowler should they lose the toss and be compelled to field first.

“Dushmantha will be rested for this Test, so there will be a change which will mean that Charith or another fast-bowler could have an opportunity to take that place. That is a decision of the captain, coaches, and selectors. Most probably we will have just that one change for tomorrow’s match,” Chandimal said.

He went on to mention that the pitch for the second Test looks drier than the one used last week and that the spinners of both sides should once again have plenty on offer for them.

“The surface appears to be drier than what we saw in the previous game. I think it will be another good opportunity for the spinners, especially given the warmer weather we had in the last few days,” he said.

The West Indies meanwhile suffered top-order collapses in both innings of the first Test and will need to show sterner resolve if they are to take something out of the series. The team would take encouragement from how Nkrumah Bonner and Joshua Da Siva tackled the Sri Lankan spinners in their 100-run sojourn in the second innings which kept the visitors in with a sniff of drawing the Test.

Opener Jeremy Solozano who suffered a concussion on the opening day of the first Test is unlikely to be back which could spell another opportunity for Shai Hope who replaced him as concussion substitute.
The Test match will also be Sri Lanka Head Coach, Mickey Arthur’s final game in charge of the side.

Sri Lanka Squad -Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Minod Bhanuka, Roshen Silva, Ramesh Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Chamika Karunaratne, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Suminda Lakshan, Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando and Chamika Gunasekara.
West Indies Squad -Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Jeremy Solozano and Jomel Warrican.