PORT-OF-SPAIN, April 6: Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene and West Indies captain Chris Gayle have bemoaned the length of their side’s current Test series taking in the Caribbean.

The two opposing captains favour three-Test series instead of the two-Test format in which their sides are currently engaged.

Sri Lanka lead the series 1-0, following a 121-run victory in the opening Test at the Guyana National Stadium a fortnight ago, but Jayawardene reckons a longer series should have been scheduled in case of a stalemate if West Indies win the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval.

“It is always good to play three-Test match series,” he said. “I’ve been saying that for some time. I’ve played in a lot of series that have ended 1-1 and not knowing exactly what would have happened.

“It is healthy to play three Test matches. You will know exactly which team is the better team in a series.

“We can’t do anything about it, but hopefully we can play more three-Test series or five-Test series, which are more challenging in international cricket.”

Sri Lanka’s two previous trips to the Caribbean in 1997 and 2003 both featured two-Test series and the visitors lost both of them 1-0.

West Indies’ last trip to Sri Lanka three years ago was also included two-Test series in which the hosts completed a clean sweep, and West Indies captain Chris Gayle feels a three-Test battle is much more competitive.

“I totally agree that we should have played a three-Test series,” he said.

“In a two-Test series, it is difficult to always come back. You want an opportunity to square the series. If you have another Test, it is head-to-head, and I feel the authorities should look at three Tests.”

If they win the Test, Sri Lanka will kill the proverbial two birds with one stone. They would confirm their first Test series win on Caribbean soil, and become the first side visiting the Caribbean in eight decades of Test cricket to sweep a Test series of any length.—AFP