Sri Lanka, who have already clinched the three-match series against the West Indies by their convincing victories in Galle by 10 wickets and Kandy by 131 runs, will go all out for a whitewash, when the third and final Test gets underway today, at the Lord’s of Sri Lanka’s cricket, the Singhalese Sports Club grounds, at Maitland Place, Colombo.

Sri Lanka’s two excellent performances were not hampered by the bad weather that prevailed at both venues, as they fought their way gallantly within the limited space of time which was available, to enter the winners enclosure.

Once again Sri Lanka will be counting on maestro off-spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan, if the whitewash is to be achieved.

Muralitharan has so far bagged 371 wickets in his Test career, which includes the match bags of 11 wickets in Galle and 10 wickets in Kandy. As described by the West Indian Team Manager Roger Harper, he rates Murali as the best spin bowler in the world, at present, with Australia’s Shane Warne in second spot.

The wickets in Galle and Kandy were prepared to suit spin bowlers and Sri Lanka had five spinners in their final eleven, in Muralitharan and left armers Niroshan Bandaratileke and skipper Sanath Jayasuriya with right arm off break bowlers Russel Arnold and Tilan Samaraweera chipping in when required. The pace duo of Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa also did their part to perfection, with Vaas especially showing his varied abilities, in Kandy.

However, it will be interesting to see what type of wicket will be prepared for this final Test by curator Ranil Abeynaike. Generally, the SSC wicket has been equally kind to both batsmen and bowlers, with the opening session of the first day assisting the seamers and subsequently settling down as a batting paradise. Whatever the surface be, maestro spinner Muralitharan has the ability of turning the ball and troubling the batsmen on any strip, which has been an extraordinary quality in him.

Lanka’s top order batsmen are in excellent fettle and should be among the runs to give their team a formidable total. Opener Marvan Atapattu and No. 4 batsman Mahela Jayawardene will both be playing on their home ground. Skipper Jayasuriya’s form as an opening batsman hasn’t been that rosy and he too will be looking forward to being among the runs once again. No. 3 batsman Kumar Sangakkara, Hashan Tillakaratne and all-rounder Samaraweera should help boost the Lankan total. It seems that Sri Lanka will play the same team which has won them the series, but will the out of form Arnold make way for another batsman?

The West Indies on the other hand will be hoping for a much better performance in this match with all their hopes pinned on the batting ability of master batsman Brian Lara who has shown that he could face any type of bowler. With the exception of Lara and skipper Carl Hooper, the other players in the team are all newcomers and their performances have been in and out. Another large score from Lara is what the Windies will be looking for.

Mervyn Dillon has been their key bowler while left arm paceman Pedro Collins showed that he too is a power to reckon with by his match bag of seven wickets in Kandy.

Collin Stuart is their third paceman, but hasn’t shown his true colours still. Dinanath Ramnarine has given the impression that he would be a top class leg spinner in time to come. He has the ability to bowl a deep leg break and also often chip in with the googly, but his control has been much to be desired which has resulted in the batsmen taking him to task.

Wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs is a highly thought of batsman as he has made useful contributions at limited overs level. He is an aggressive player and often likes to hit the ball around. But the best of him is still to be seen here.

Weather reports have forecast that there wouldn’t be any rain in the metropolis and cricket fans hope that this will be an absorbing game who ever wins.

English umpire John Hampshire who stood in the first two Tests will make way for his Zimbabwean colleague Russel Tiffin with Asoka de Silva as his partner and T. H. Wijewardena as the TV Umpire. (RLF)

Sri Lanka (from) - Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillekeratne, Tilan Samaraweera, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Niroshan Bandaratilleke, Nuwa Zoysa, Upul Chandana.

West Indies (from) - Carl Hooper (Capt), Ridley Jacobs, Brian Lara, Darren Ganga, Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Mervyn Dillon, Dinanath Ramnarine, Colin Stuart, Pedro Collins, Marlon Black, Neil McGarrell.