Sri Lanka won the toss and made the surprise call to bat first on a North Sound surface with a fair covering of grass. West Indies  lead the two match series 1-0.

Dhananjaya de Silva’s focus at the toss was on picking up 20 wickets and Sri Lanka’s inability to do so in the first Test, which he cited as a primary reason for their heavy defeat. Roston Chase was quite happy to bowl first, stating that it was what he would have done had he won the toss.

There were changes for both teams, with several of those injury-enforced. West Indies welcomed back Shai Hope with Joshua Da Silva making way. Kemar Roach also missed out with an injury, with Anderson Phillip  replacing him to keep four pacers in the playing XI.

Sri Lanka made three changes, as Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha missed out. Nissanka underwent a wrist surgery, while Kumara suffered a hamstring injury in the first Test. Lahiru Udara, Prabath Jayasuriya  and debutant pace-bowling all-rounder Isitha Wijesundera all came in.

With the pitch described as even, with a fair covering of grass with a tinge of green on it, Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first caught a few off-guard. West Indies’ four-pronged pace attack will once more look to test the Lankan top order – particularly in the first hour of play. The pitch was also expected to show some uneven bounce with a few cracks on it. Sri Lanka do have the extra spinner in their lineup, and will be hoping that when it comes time for them to bowl there will be some assistance for the slower bowlers.

The weather remained dry, but there was some forecast for rain.

West Indies:  John Campbell,  Brandon King, Kavem Hodge,  Amir Jangoo  Shai Hope (wk),  Roston Chase (capt), Justin Greaves, Jayden Seales,  Alzarri Joseph,  Shamar Joseph,  Anderson Phillip

Sri Lanka:  Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka,  Dinesh Chandimal,  Kamindu Mendis,  Dhananjaya de Silva (capt),  Kusal Mendis (wk),  Sonal Dinusha,  Prabath Jayasuriya,  Milan Rathnayake,  Isitha Wijesundara,  Asitha Fernando

(Cricinfo)

The much anticipated Juventus Training Camp organized by the Colombo Kickerz Football Academy will take place from 6th to 10th July at the CR&FC Grounds Colombo.

The Camp will be  conducted by two official Juventus Academy coaches from Italy, and  will  provide 50 young footballers from across the country to participate in an intensive program based on the renowned Juventus methodology,  focusing on technical development,  tactical understanding,  team work, discipline  and personal growth.

Romario de Silva CEO of Colombo Kickerz Football Academy said that the objective of the Academy was to provide young footballers with access  to world class coaching and international development opportunities.

He added that the Training Camp was made possible through the valued support of Hilton Colombo Residencies, Aitken Spence travels, The Pappare and Lady J.

Sri Lanka have been hit by a spate of injuries and an illness ahead of the secondbTest  against West Indies, in North Sound, a game they must win to take something away from the series after suffering an innings defeat in the first.

The injuries have forced the team management to pick from a squad of 13, rather than the 17 they took on tour. The seam-bowling department has been especially hard hit, with Lahiru Kumara  and Vishwa Fernando both going down with injuries.

The most serious injury, however, seems to be that of opener  Pathum Nissanka, who left the squad on June 30 to undergo surgery on an injured wrist in the United Kingdom. Lahiru Udara will take Nissanka’s place at the top of the order for the second Test. Nissanka’s surgery casts a cloud over his Lanka Premier League participation as well.

Vishwa, meanwhile, has not sufficiently recovered from back and side pain to become available for the second Test. And Sri Lanka’s quickest bowler in the squad, Kumara, remains unavailable after having walked off the field with a hamstring complaint (a recurring injury) having delivered just one over in the previous Test.

These injuries, plus Kasun Rajitha’s modest performance in the first Test, have paved the way for seamer Isitha Wijesudera’s  Test debut.

In addition, offspin-bowling allrounder Ramesh Mendis has contracted a bacterial infection on tour. As such, he is also unavailable for selection. Prabath Jayasuriya – Sri Lanka’s top specialist spinner over the last three years – will enter the XI.

(Cricinfo)