Twice against Australia in the preceding Cable and Wireless Test and One-Day series, the West Indies surrendered the series but fought back admirably to pull off consolation victories.

Down 3-0 in the Test rubber against the Aussies with their pride shattered and facing an unprecedented Caribbean whitewash, Brian Lara’s new-look regional side, rebounded with a miraculous run-chase, scoring a record 418 runs to win the fourth Test in Antigua.

In the subsequent One-Day series, the West Indies were swept aside in the first four matches as Australia took an unbeatable 4-0 lead. However, Lara’s West Indians battled back to restore their pride by reeling off a hat-trick of wins.

A similar situation now faces the West Indies after the disappointing double defeat in Barbados on Saturday and Sunday, at the hands of their new opponents, Sri Lanka, who have taken a winning 2-0 lead and are eyeing a clean sweep.

But West Indies captain Brian Lara has made it clear, even though the series has slipped from their grasp, he is still hungry for a victory against Marvan Atapattu’s Sri Lankans in today’s third and final match at the picturesque Arnos Vale playing field.

Lara, who has been in prime form with an unbeaten 64 and a sparkling 116 in the two matches despite his team’s dismal showing, believes it should not be a problem lifting themselves.

“I don’t think that is going to be difficult to motivate the guys. We have improved in the batting department compared to (in the first game) on Saturday and we will be looking to do the same and bat well,” Lara said.

After erratic bowling and sloppy fielding allowed Sri Lanka to hit a winning score of 313 for six in 49.3 overs, in pursuit of the West Indies’ imposing total of 312 for four in 50 overs, Lara said the bowlers and fielders must now make amends.

“The bowlers will have a job to do and the fielders will have a job to do to improve from what happened Sunday and that’s what it is all about. You got to improve on your past performances and we will be looking to do that in St Vincent. I don’t think it will be very hard to lift the spirits of the guys,” noted Lara.

“We all know that it is an international game, that you going out there to play and we need to pull one back,” added Lara.

“We got to lift our heads and we got to look forward to the next game and we got to make sure that the people in St Vincent and whoever is watching and supporting us that we come up and put up a very good performance,” Lara remarked.

Rival captain Atapattu said the Sri Lankans would not be easing up on the West Indies even though they have already clinched the series.

"We are looking to win the game. I won't say crushing the West Indies. I don't believe in nothing like that but down the line you get the same treatment," Atapattu said.

"You just walk into a game thinking that you are going to win the game; that will be my idea when I walk in the next time," added Atapattu.

West Indies have made one change to their 15-member squad, drafting in uncapped 18-year-old Jamaican fast bowler Jerome Taylor for the experienced Mervyn Dillon.

However, Taylor’s compatriot Darren Powell, who did not play in either of the back-to-back games in Barbados, is favoured to gain selection in the final eleven.

Anguillan off-spinning all-rounder Omari Banks, who played in the first three One-Day matches against Australia but has been on the sidelines ever since, may also win a place in the starting XI at the expense of either fellow all-rounder Ryan Hurley or seamer Vasbert Drakes.

Teams:
West Indies (from) - Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Ricardo Powell, Ridley Jacobs, Omari Banks, Vasbert Drakes, Darren Powell, Corey Collymore, Ryan Hurley, Jerome Taylor, Devon Smith, David Bernard.