Chase targets historic series triumph as West Indies close in on Sri Lanka sweep

West Indies captain Roston Chase has challenged his team to seize a rare opportunity as they prepare for Friday's second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, insisting the only objective is completing a series victory that would carry enormous historical significance.

Holding a 1-0 advantage after the opening Test, the Caribbean side stands just one victory away from claiming its first-ever Test series triumph in the ICC World Test Championship era while also ending a 23-year wait for a bilateral series victory over Sri Lanka.

For Chase, the mission is simple.

"Going into the second Test, 1-0 up, the only thing we're looking for here is another win to seal the deal and get our first Test series win in the championship," he said in an interview with CWI Media.

"That's what's driving the guys right now. Everyone's looking forward to that first win."

Chance to end two decades of waiting

The magnitude of the occasion is not lost on the West Indies skipper.

No Caribbean captain has led the regional side to a Test series victory over Sri Lanka since Brian Lara's team accomplished the feat in 2003. Although West Indies have remained unbeaten against the Sri Lankans in home Test series since then, they have been unable to secure an outright series triumph.

Chase acknowledged the significance of potentially ending that drought.

"It would mean a lot," he said.

"As I said before, it's going to be the first Test series win. Last year, we didn't win any series, and we didn't win any games. I think last year was a year that we want to put behind us. To come and start this year in the first series that we have, to get the win, I think that would be fantastic."

Focus remains on West Indies' own standards

Despite expecting Sri Lanka to make adjustments following its opening defeat, Chase said his team is concentrating on refining its own performance rather than worrying about the opposition's response.

"I'm not really worried about them. We're going to focus on our strengths and what we did well in the game, and what we didn't do so well that we can improve on," the captain explained.

That inward focus has helped shape the team's preparation as it seeks to maintain the intensity that delivered victory in the series opener.

Hope returns, Paul added to squad

West Indies received a timely boost with the return of batter Shai Hope, who has recovered from the left shoulder strain that ruled him out of the first Test.

Hope is expected to reclaim his place in the starting XI, with Kavem Hodge the likely player to make way after Amir Jangoo strengthened his case for another opportunity through an impressive performance in the opening match.

The hosts have also added fast-bowling all-rounder Keemo Paul to the squad as cover for veteran pacer Kemar Roach, whose availability remains uncertain because of a niggle that will be assessed before the toss.

Chase believes Paul is well prepared should he be called upon.

"He's a guy who had a good four-day championship this year, bowled some long marathon spells, moved the ball at pace. If he gets a chance, I'll be excited to see him go because he is a strong soldier and a fighter."

Sri Lanka forced into bowling change

Sri Lanka will definitely make at least one adjustment to its lineup after fast bowler Lahiru Kumara was ruled out through injury sustained during the first Test.

Left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando is expected to replace him as the visitors attempt to level the series and prevent West Indies from completing a long-awaited piece of Test cricket history.

For the home side, however, the equation is clear: one more victory would erase years of frustration, launch their World Test Championship campaign in ideal fashion, and deliver a milestone that has eluded generations of West Indies teams.