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Conscious that a world-class spinner would more than likely pose a threat to them on their tour of Sri Lanka, the West Indies adopted an unusual strategy in their nine-day pre- tour training camp in Jamaica.

Team coach Roger Harper revealed just before departure for the Asian country that pitches during the camp were doctored to suit spinners.

We scuffed up the pitches and that sort of thing so that the batsmen could get used to seeing the ball turn a lot, Harper said. We created the atmosphere physically from a pitch condition point of view.

It is no secret that Muttiah Muralitharan, regarded as one of the game's finest ever off-spinners, could be a handful for West Indies batsmen. The 29-year-old has taken 350 wickets in 66 Tests and has taken five or more wickets in an innings on 28 occasions.

As part of their preparations, the West Indies spent several hours watching videos of the Sri Lankans, especially when playing on home soil where they have become a force to be reckoned with in recent years. Sri Lanka's last 25 Tests at home have produced ten victories.

The two countries have met only three times in Tests. The first was in Sri Lanka on the 1993-1994 tour when they played to a draw in a solitary match. The West Indies triumphed 1-0 in a short two-match series in the Caribbean four years ago.

© The Barbados Nation