Sri Lanka's preparations for the second Test against West Indies are being hampered by a flu virus that forced four players to miss team practice on Wednesday.
Top bowlers Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas, who shared 14 wickets in Sri Lanka six-wicket first Test victory as well as vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera all sat out the training session.
Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu expects all to be fit to play in the final game of the two-match series which starts on Friday at Asgiriya International stadium.
"We don't think it is too serious but many of us have been struggling with this flu and Murali has been the latest victim," Atappatu told Reuters after the practice session.
"But we are not too worried and tomorrow we want to have more of a serious session when we hope the weather is also good enough to all have a proper bat in the nets," he added.
Sri Lanka won the opening game of the two-match series against a weakened West Indies side missing 10 leading players due to a sponsorship dispute, but the hosts have concerns about their batting after being bowled out for 226 in their first innings.
"We did many things right in the first game but there are certain areas in which we need to improve, especially the batting area."
SUPPORT BOWLING
With the prevailing unsettled wet weather in Sri Lanka's hill-country capital the Sri Lankan's selection issues will focus on the support bowling for Vaas and Muralitharan.
Left-arm seamer Nuwan Zoysa, now fully fit after a knee operation, and leg spinner Upul Chandana are pushing for the places of all rounder Gayan Wjiekoon and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.
West Indies hope the Kandy pitch will
"The wicket looks hard and has some grass on it so it should have good carry and give the pacers some assistance," skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul told reporters after a rain-interrupted morning training session.
"In the last game we got ourselves into very good positions but then we let up and did not carry on when we were in front," Chanderpaul added.
West Indies have been rocked by the news that Jermaine Lawson, their top performer in the first Test with four wickets in each innings, has been reported for having a suspect action for the second time in his career.
The 23-year-old Jamaican, apparently cited by the umpires when bowling short deliveries, will be available for selection until the completion of an ICC-commissioned biomechanical assessment of his bowling action.
"The West Indies Cricket Board have decided that Jermaine will remain with the team and he will be playing," media spokesman Imran Khan told reporters.
Uncapped opening batsman Ryan Ramdass is now available for selection after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Squads:
Sri Lanka - Marvan Atapattu (Capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralitharan, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Upul Chandana, Russel Arnold, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Zoysa, Lasith Malinga, Gayan Wijekoon
West Indies - Shivnarine Chanderpaul (Capt), Denesh Ramdin, Daren Powell, Omari Banks, Kerry Jeremy, Deighton Butler, Sylvester Joseph, Narsingh Deonarine, Dwayne Smith, Tino Best, Jermaine Lawson, Xavier Marshall, Runako Morton, Ryan Ramdass.
