WI vs SL 2026 – Shai Hope returns, Kemar Roach out for West Indies after injury-hit Sri Lanka bat

Toss Sri Lanka chose to bat vs West Indies

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.

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: 1 John Campbell, 2 Brandon King, 3 Kavem Hodge, 4 Amir Jangoo 5 Shai Hope (wk), 6 Roston Chase (capt), 7 Justin Greaves, 8 Jayden Seales, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Shamar Joseph, 11 Anderson Phillip

Sri Lanka: 1 Lahiru Udara, 2 Nishan Madushka, 3 Dinesh Chandimal, 4 Kamindu Mendis, 5 Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), 6 Kusal Mendis (wk), 7 Sonal Dinusha, 8 Prabath Jayasuriya, 9 Milan Rathnayake, 10 Isitha Wijesundara, 11 Asitha Fernando

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