Kumar Sangakkara chose to field in the third Test in Pallekele after a wet outfield due to overnight rain delayed play at this captivating venue. The stadium became the 104th venue to host Test cricket, and overcast conditions and moisture in the surface following weeks of monsoon rain, were expected to assist seam bowling early on.
Sri Lanka made a solitary change to their XI from the drawn Test in Colombo, opting for the hit-the-deck pace of Dilhara Fernando in favour of Nuwan Kulasekara's canny swing. Spinners Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis kept Suraj Randiv on the sidelines, after both impressed at the Premadasa.
For the visitors, Devon Smith replaced Adrian Barath, who was suffering from flu, while fast bowler Nelon Pascal came in for the under pressure Shane Shillingford, after the spinner was reported for a suspect action during the first Test in Galle.
The weather is expected to improve in Pallekele as the Test goes on, but it is likely to remain cloudy for the first two days.
Sri Lanka: 1 Tharanga Paranavitana, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (capt), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Thilan Samaraweera, 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), 8 Rangana Herath, 9 Dilhara Fernando, 10 Ajantha Mendis, 11 Suranga Lakmal.
West Indies: 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Devon Smith, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 5 Brendan Nash, 6 Dwayne Bravo, 7 Carlton Baugh (wk), 8 Darren Sammy (capt), 9 Sulieman Benn, 10 Nelon Pascal, 11 Kemar Roach.
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