West Indies Win Toss, Elect to Bowl First Against Sri Lanka in Antigua Test

The West Indies won the toss and decided to bowl first in their opening Test against Sri Lanka at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on June 25, 2026. West Indies captain Roston Chase expressed confidence that his five fast bowlers could exploit a grassy pitch to trouble the visiting Sri Lankans. The match, scheduled to run until June 29 with a 10:00 AM local start time (7:30 PM IST), marks the first Test of the year for the hosts and represents a crucial fixture in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

The West Indies suffered a significant injury setback when opener Shai Hope sustained a left shoulder injury during training on the eve of the match and was ruled out of the first Test. This forced a reshuffle in the batting lineup, with Joshua Da Silva retained as wicketkeeper and the top order adjusted accordingly. Sri Lanka, returning to Test cricket after a year away following their 1-0 series victory against Bangladesh, selected a balanced attack comprising three genuine fast bowlers, one fast-bowling all-rounder, and two spin all-rounders.

The series carries heightened significance within the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, with Sri Lanka currently positioned third in the standings. The West Indies, by contrast, are searching for their first victory in the championship after suffering seven defeats in their last eight Tests. The two-Test series provides both teams an opportunity to improve their championship standings, with the second match also scheduled at the same venue from July 3 to July 7.

Contextually, Sri Lanka arrived in the Caribbean following a 1-0 ODI series victory but suffered a 2-1 defeat in the T20I series against the West Indies. The pitch at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium is expected to favour seam bowlers early in the match before potentially assisting spin as the Test progresses. Weather conditions remain favourable, with temperatures forecast to remain slightly below 30 degrees Celsius throughout the match.