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)

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)

Substitute Goncalo Ramos’s headed goal edged Portugal into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a gripping 2-1  win against Croatia.

Ramos connected with a superb pass from Rafael Leao in the fourth minute of stoppage time on Thursday to snuff out a Croatia team that had created the lion’s share of the chances in sapping evening heat in Toronto.

In a dramatic ending, Croatia thought they had equalised in the dying seconds, but Josko Gvardiol’s goal was chalked off for offside.

The Croatians were left stunned by the decision, while Portugal’s players celebrated.

Cristiano Ronaldo played his role in the victory, stroking home a penalty that cancelled out Ivan Perisic’s opener.

It was Ronaldo’s first-ever goal in the knockout phase of the World Cup, and his remarkable international career will have another chapter when Portugal face Spain in Dallas on Monday.

Perisic had stunned the Portuguese by slotting the ball under the advancing Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 53rd minute.

Within minutes, Ronaldo had the ball in the net after controlling a long pass, but his effort was disallowed for offside.

But Portugal got level when Renato Veiga was grabbed by Croatia’s Nikola Vlasic in the penalty area, and after a VAR check, the referee pointed to the spot.

Ronaldo stepped up to convert the penalty with ease, hitting the ball straight down the middle of the goal and pumping his fists with joy afterwards.

In a pulsating game, Manchester City forward Mateo Kovacic’s low shot was pushed onto a post by goalkeeper Costa’s fingertips.

Still, Croatia pushed, and Petar Sucic had the ball in the net, but the assistant referee’s flag was up for a clear offside.

Ronaldo was withdrawn in the 81st minute to allow Ruben Neves to come on.

Croatia continued to create more chances than their opponents, and Mario Pasalic came so close to winning the game with a header at the far post, but it bounced just wide.

But when Ramos connected, the net bulged, and Portugal were through.

(Aljazeera)