Following a rain-hit ODI series and a closely contested T20I leg, the West Indies and Sri Lanka turn their attention to the longest format when the first Test begins on Thursday.
Neither side has been particularly successful in recent times, but Sri Lanka currently sit third in the World Test Championship table, while the Windies are at the bottom.
However, Dhananjaya de Silva's side may be a little rusty after going almost a year without a Test since they beat Bangladesh 1-0 in a two-match series last summer.
The home side have recalled wicketkeeper Joshua da Silva and two-cap batter Amir Jangoo after they enjoyed prolific domestic seasons.
The hosts' biggest strength lies in their fast‑bowling stocks, with Jayden Seales joined by the returning Alzarri Joseph and Shemar Joseph, who missed the tours of India and New Zealand late last year because of injuries.
Sri Lanka's pace attack - led by Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando in the continued absence of Dushmantha Chameera - will aim to make full use of helpful Caribbean conditions.
The tourists' batting effort is once again expected to hinge on the experienced Dinesh Chandimal and the in‑form Pathum Nissanka as they pursue a maiden Test series victory in the West Indies.
West Indies v Sri Lanka Tips Summary
Best Bet - West Indies - Draw No Bet @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Jayden Seales over 4.5 match wickets @ 5/6
Bet Builder - West Indies to win, Pathum Nissanka 70+ match runs & Alzarri Joseph 3+ match wickets @ 11/2
West Indies v Sri Lanka Prediction
Best Bet: West Indies - Draw No Bet @ 10/11
The West Indies have been in the doldrums in Test cricket for a while and they were cruelly exposed as second-rate on their tours to India and New Zealand last year.
However, they have a crop of fast bowlers who, when they are all fit, can trouble top batters with the new ball on almost any surface.
Their batting remains fragile and the opening pair can only really go about their business with any success on very flat tracks, but there is some class in the middle order.
And the return of experienced keeper Da Silva, who has scored 996 runs across the last two seasons of the West Indies Championship, should provide another boost to their chances of winning this match.
Local conditions should be in their favour as the wicket at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium has pace and carry and offers a bit of movement in the early going.
Sri Lanka have a vibrant pace attack too, but their batters are much better on turning tracks in the subcontinent.
The West Indies may have lost their last five home Test matches, but they have won their last two played at this ground.
And that must count for something - enough to give them a solid chance of beating a side who have not played Test cricket in almost exactly 12 months.
The Draw No Bet angle protects against weather or a flat final‑day pitch, while still backing the side with the clearer strengths.
Alternative Bet: Jayden Seales - Over 4.5 match wickets @ 5/6
Seales claimed match figures of 7/95 on this ground in the final of the West Indies domestic championship last month and looked to be bowling well in the ODI series against Sri Lanka.
He claimed 2/67 in the match Sri Lanka won at Kingston, removing vice-captain Kamindu Mendis and playing a part in a run out later in the afternoon.
Seales has taken 71 of his 95 Test wickets in the Caribbean, where he averages just over 20 compared to over 25 overall.
He is likely to share new-ball duties with the returning Alzarri Joseph and the pacy pair could keep the pressure on the Islanders' batters throughout this match.
West Indies v Sri Lanka Bet Builder
West Indies to win
Pathum Nissanka 70+ match runs
Alzarri Joseph 3+ match wickets
Pays 11/2
The West Indies can exploit a rusty Sri Lankan side whose batters struggled in the warm-up match, with Alzarri Joseph a candidate to take three or more wickets in the match, which he has done in six of his last seven Test appearances.
Add Pathum Nissanka, who averages 54 outside Sri Lanka, to bag 70 or match runs to boost the price of this Bet Builder.
Key Match Stats
West Indies have lost seven of their last eight Test matches, including their last five at home
Sri Lanka have not played a Test match since June 25th last year
West Indies have won their last two Tests played in Antigua (both v Bangladesh)
Jayden Seales has taken 71 of his 95 Test wickets in the West Indies and averages 20 with the ball in home conditions
Seales claimed match figures of 5/87 in his last Test
Pathum Nissanka averages 54 overseas and only 40 in Sri Lanka
Tactics, Form & Team News
Alzarri Joseph claimed six wickets for the West Indies Select XI in the warm-up match against the tourists and should share new ball duties with Seales.
Tevin Imlach failed his audition for the Test team in that match with scores of 0 and 4, so Justin Greaves will keep his place at a ground where he scored a ton against Bangladesh two years ago.
Expected West Indies XI: 1 John Campbell, 2 Brandon King, 3 Kavem Hodge, 4 Shai Hope, 5 Justin Greaves, 6 Joshua da Silva (wk), 7 Roston Chase (c), 8 Alzarri Joseph, 9 Jomel Warrican, 10 Shamar Joseph, 11 Jayden Seales.
Sri Lanka's hopes rest on their senior stars, but Chandimal was the only batter to make a half-century in the warm-up match.
Expected Sri Lanka XI: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Lahiru Udara, 3 Dinesh Chandimal, 4 Dhananjaya De Silva (c), 5 Kamindu Mendis, 6 Kusal Mendis (wk), 7 Sonal Dinusha, 8 Prabath Jayasuriya, 9 Lahiru Kumara, 10 Asitha Fernando, 11 Vishwa Fernando.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
