PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka: Skipper Kumar Sangakkara expects Sri Lanka to put in a solid performance as they seek to clinch the series with a win in the third and final Test against the West Indies starting Wednesday. The series is tied 0-0 following rain-hit drawn matches in Colombo and Galle and the weather is expected to play the spoilsport again at the new Pallekele International Stadium. Sri Lanka had a workout in the morning, but rain washed out the West Indies' practice session at the stadium in the afternoon. “The series will probably be decided on this Test provided there's play on all five days. We'll come back tomorrow morning, assess the situation and work hard for a win,” Sangakkara told reporters on Tuesday. The host is strongly placed in the second Test in Colombo where it bowled the tourists out for 243 after posting 387-9 declared, but rain denied it a chance to press home the advantage. Sri Lanka's spinners impressed in the last match, with Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis and part-timer Tillakaratne Dilshan taking three wickets apiece to back seamers Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Kulasekara. The Sri Lankan captain said it would be disappointing if it finished the series without a victory due to rain. “We have to be positive. The bowlers have got to deliver in every game and so do the batsmen. Everyone has got to be tough and able enough to deal with every situation and fight as hard as we can,” said Sangakkara. The West Indies, which arrived in the country with new captain Darren Sammy and an inexperienced bowling attack, performed better in the opening match before finding itself in a series-winning situation. Led by Chris Gayle's superb 333, the tourists enforced a follow-on when they restricted Sri Lanka to 378 after scoring 580-9 declared. “I think we have been pretty consistent in the series and just need to continue with that,” said West Indies coach Ottis Gibson. “There is nothing we can do about the weather, but there is still a chance to win the series. So to be in with a chance to win the series away from home is exciting and all the players are well aware of it.” Barring Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who has made 40 in two completed innings, all the top-order batsmen have scored a half-century in the series, but Gibson said the final match was an opportunity for the veteran to regain form. “He (Chanderpaul) is very experienced and I think he will be looking forward to score runs in this Test. He is hungry for runs and this match gives him another opportunity to get runs,” said Gibson. The West Indies has lost five and drawn three of their eight Tests in Sri Lanka. Tuffey out of ODIs A New Zealand team official said pace bowler Daryl Tuffey would take no further part in an ongoing five-match one-day series in India due to an injury. Coach Mark Greatbatch said in a statement that “Daryl developed discomfort in his right bicep” and will return home. India leads the series 1-0 after winning the opener at Guwahati by 40 runs Sunday. The second match will be held at Jaipur Wednesday, to be followed by ties in Baroda, Bangalore and Chennai. New Zealand was also not sure about the fitness of skipper Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum for Wednesday's game after they missed the last match due to back strains. – Agence France
