Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua

West Indies (Playing XI): John Campbell, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo, Joshua Da Silva(w), Justin Greaves, Roston Chase(c), Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva(c), Kusal Mendis(w), Sonal Dinusha, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando

Cricket commentary | West Indies vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Sri Lanka tour of West Indies 2026

What, no Hope?

CricInfo:

Big news right up is that Shai Hope is unavailable after picking up an injury during training in the build up some days ago. A big blow for a home side still searching for their first WTC win of the current cycle. They've played eight already and lost seven!

West Indies have won the toss and have opted to field

Dhananjaya de Silva: (On having to bat first) It looks drier than the last few days, so batting first won't be a big issue. Here at the Vivian Richards Stadium, I think the first session will be crucial. If we manage that well, we can go on to post a big score.

(On the importance of this series) We played our last Test exactly one year ago, and we won it. We still have that winning momentum, so we want to carry it into this series and win here as well.

(On their team composition) We've gone in with three genuine fast bowlers, one fast-bowling all-rounder, and two spinning all-rounders, including me.

Roston Chase: We're going to bowl first. We have five fast bowlers, and the pitch has quite a bit of grass, so we're going to try to utilize that and set back these Sri Lankans early.

(On their preparations) I was happy with the camp because sometimes you can come straight in from a white-ball series and not really get what you're looking for. I was glad to have the guys in camp, practicing and getting accustomed to the red ball and the movement. In Antigua, the ball moves quite a bit, so we had a good time practicing and honing our skills.

(On chasing an elusive win in Tests) I think our bowling attack is very potent. That's where our strength lies. If we can restrict the Sri Lankan batsmen to a gettable total and then bat well, that's how we'll get our win.

Jangoo gets his second chance in Test cricket, I hope he jumps on the opportunity

Both Hodge and AlJo in the starting XI. VOR is happy!

@Drapsey

A beautiful day here at the Vivian Richards Stadium, day one of this Test match between Sri Lanka and the West Indies. We'll have a look at the pitch, all the 22 yards, it's quite hot. There's a breeze from east to west here at the Vivian Richards Stadium that aids in that outswing.

What a thing your vc cant make the final 11 .and hope not playing what a blow

Pathum Nissanka and Nishan Madushka are at the crease.

Pathum Nissanka is on strike.

Roach will open the attack

0.1

Roach to Pathum Nissanka, 2 runs, Nissanka gets off the mark nicely! A back of a length delivery outside off, Nissanka stands tall and punches it on the up through covers for a brace

Hopefully our lads can win this series, our recent record is deplorable 😁.

Roach strikes

0.6

W

Roach to Pathum Nissanka, out Caught by Amir Jangoo!! Kemar Roach strikes in the first over and he is cock-a-hoop! The trap was set for Nissanka and he has fallen prey to it. Roach goes a bit wider of the crease and angles in a back of a length delivery

Pathum Nissanka c Amir Jangoo b Roach 2(6)

Big wicket of Nissanka in Roachie's first over. 2/1

One down. Gwaan Roachie!

Day 1: 1st Session

SL 2 /1 (1) CRR:2

Pathum Nissanka 2 (6)

Nishan Madushka 0 (0)

Good.over from Seales, he is getting swing. Maiden!

@Drapsey

Hey Drapsey i see you pon d wagoi. The King- Campbell effect.