Capitalist impulses shape the international schedule much more than cricketing performance does, but perhaps West Indies and Sri Lanka can make the kind of case that South Africa and New Zealand have managed to do over the last six years – that they deserve an extra Test here and there purely because they are proficient Test outfits.

In any case, West Indies and Sri Lanka are generally evenly-matched sides when playing in the Caribbean. Of the five Tests these sides have played in the West Indies over the last ten years, they have won one game each, and played out three draws, some of which were rain-affected.

But there is no serious measure through which form can be judged. Rust will need to be shaken off. Red-ball skills will need to be revived for many players. And while Sri Lanka are on the WTC points table with a draw and a victory against Bangladesh in June last year, West Indies are still looking for their first win this cycle, having logged seven losses and a draw so far.

Behind Roach are more all-time greats: Joel Garner and Michael Holding. Roach’s journey has been a triumph of longevity – he has never played more than eight Tests in a calendar year. And he has not had the kind of fast-bowling support that the great names around him had had. But Roach has generally been good against Sri Lanka, and West Indies would love to have this milestone to celebrate some time during this series.

Dhanajaya de Silva is among the players who has clamoured most for more Test cricket for his side, and as he is largely only picked in Sri Lanka’s Test XI now, he hasn’t had an especially busy international schedule over the past year. Since Sri Lanka achieved Test status, there has perhaps never been a Test captain whose job has felt so minor in the larger landscape of Sri Lanka’s cricket.

Dhananjaya will be especially motivated to turn that profile around. A couple of wins in the West Indies would set Sri Lanka up nicely for a serious push towards a top-two placing on the WTC table. South Africa showed in the last cycle that a scant Test schedule doesn’t have to mean mediocrity of skill.

The weather forecast for North Sound is good for the next few days. Temperatures are also forecast to stay a shade under 30 degrees Celsius, which both teams will find relatively comfortable. There has been no Test cricket at this venue since November 2024, so it’s difficult to predict how the track will play, but it has generally favoured seamers.

West Indies have a decision to make on who will keep wicket, but having had a decent run against Sri Lanka in the past, Joshua da Silva might get the spot. The bowling will be led by Roach, but the two Josephs, fast bowlers Shamar and Alzarri, will likely be in attendance. They could also think about playing a fourth seamer in Jayden Seales.

West Indies (probable): John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul,  Brandon King,  Kavem Hodge,  Shai Hope,  Roston Chase (capt),  Joshua da Silva (wk),  Jomel Warrican/Jayden Seales,  Alzarri Joseph,  Shamar Joseph,  Kemar Roach

Sri Lanka have a fairly stable top order, but will be less sure of how their bowling attack should shape up. Of the seamers, Asitha Fernando is the likeliest to play.

Sri Lanka (probable): Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka/Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt),  Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wk), Milan Rathnayake, Ramesh Mendis,  Prabath Jayasuriya,  Asitha Fernando,  Vishwa Fernando/Lahiru Kumara