Sri Lanka will probably have to face similar conditions like in the world cup final last year with mist forming towards evening which makes the grounds damp. When the four teams had a practice session on Thursday it was quite visible that the mist and the dew had made the ground wet.
The pitch with little grass on it will no doubt assist the seamers early and according to the curator should pose no problems to the batsmen later on.
Winning the toss would be vital and cricket manager Duleep Mendis said that he would prefer to chase rather than defending a total. With the mist settling down it will be difficult to grip the ball and even to field in the night.
Sri Lanka has been rated the toughest side to beat by virtue of their World Champion status and for maintaining their supremacy after the World Cup.
West Indies Cricket Manager Clive Lloyd stated that it is a tough encounter and hopes to go in with their four pronged pace attack of Ambrose, Walsh, Ian Bishop and Mervyn Dillon. However, the final team will be picked only after having a closer look at the wicket.
Sri Lanka will probably leave out Rusell Arnold, Upul Chandana and Dulip Liyanage and are expected to open the bowling with Aravinda de Silva, because of the Windies weakness against spin.
A Sri Lanka win is important in this opening game which will give them a psychological advantage and skipper Ranatunga said that all his batsmen should play to their true potential if they are to wrest the initiative.
The winners of the tournament will be presented with USD 15,000 and the runner-up will receive USD 10,000. At the conclusion of every game the man of the match will get Rs. 25,000.
SRI LANKA: Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Roshan Mahanama, Aravinda de Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga (captain), Hashan Tillekeratne, Lanka de Silva, Chaminda Vaas, Kumara Dharmasena, Sajeeva de Silva, Muthiah Muralitheran.
WEST INDIES: Courtney Walsh, Stuart Williams, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, Roland Holder, David Williams, Ian Bishop, Curtley Ambrose, Mervyn Dillon, Franklyn Rose, Rawl Lewis, Philo Wallace, Phil Simmons.