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Pallekele International Cricket StadiumKandy, Sri Lanka 2009Courtesy - espncricinfo |
Sri Lanka will have its eighth Test venue and the second in Kandy district, when they host West Indies in the third and final Test of the three match series here at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium today.
Pallekele International Stadium has been modelled after Supersport Park in Centurion, South Africa and almost everything from the grass banks to pathway, leading to the dressing rooms, resembles Centurion, a few miles from the capital Johannesburg. The venue will be one of three World Cup venues in Sri Lanka and construction is still underway.
When Tests were held at Asgiriya International Stadium in Kandy, several games were affected by rain, most notably the India - Sri Lanka Test in 1993 where only 12 overs were possible in all five days.
Nothing much has changed despite shifting the location as West Indies’ training session yesterday afternoon was called off and the locals here expect rains in afternoons throughout next week.
Sri Lanka have an excellent home record in recent times as they haven’t lost a Test series as hosts in four years with their last defeat coming in 2006 against Pakistan. In this series, Sri Lanka managed to hold on for a draw in Galle after the tourists enforced the follow and in the second Test at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, they called the shots and could have gone onto win if the game hadn’t been affected by rain.
Sri Lanka probably will go with an unchanged side and the only possible change being Suraj Randiv returning to the side ahead of left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.
All-rounder Angelo Mathews is available to bowl in this Test and comes in as the third seamer brining the much needed balance to the side.
West Indies meanwhile will decide on their final 11 today morning and if at all they are making any changes, that have to be fast bowler Andre Russell coming in for off-spinner Shane Shillingford.
West Indies haven’t won a Test Match in Sri Lanka although they have made four tours to the country and they will create history if they are able to win the third Test.
Like at Asgiriya, the conditions here are expected to help fast bowlers more and with the series deadlocked 0-0, a mouthwatering contest awaits, weather permitting.
Teams:
Sri Lanka (Probable XI):
Kumar Sangakkara (Captain), T.M. Dilshan, Tharanga Paranavithana, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene, Rangana Herath or Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis and Suranga Lakmal.
West Indies (Probable XI):
Darren Sammy (Captain), Chris Gayle, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Brendan Nash, Dwayne Bravo, Carlton Baugh, Sulieman Benn, Kemar Roach, Shane Shillingford or Andre Russell.
Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pak) and Bruce Oxenford (Aus)
Third umpire: Rod Tucker (Aus)
Match Referee: Alan Hurst (Aus).
Courtesy - The Island
