DAY 1: West Indies make Sri Lanka bat in first test

West Indies captain Roston Chase won the toss and put Sri Lanka into the bat on the opening day of the first test of a two-match series in Antigua on Thursday.

Seeking their first win after eight matches of the current World Test Championship cycle, the West Indies suffered a setback with experienced batsman Shai Hope ruled out with a strained left shoulder suffered in training two days earlier.

His place is taken by left-handed batsman Amir Jangoo. Another wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua da Silva returns to the team after an absence of 18 months.

While West Indies go into the match with four pacers and the additional seam option of allrounder Justin Greaves, Sri Lanka have opted for a mixed attack with three seamers supported by two spinning allrounders.

This is the tourists' first test match for a year, following a 1-0 home triumph over Bangladesh in a similar two-test series at the end of June, 2025.

West Indies: Roston Chase (captain), John Campbell, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo, Justin Greaves, Joshua da Silva (wicketkeeper), Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales.

Sri Lanka: Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Sonal Dinusha, Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando.