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It is the way of international cricket at the moment that the West Indies and Pakistan should start a three-day match in the Sri Lankan capital today in preparation for separate Test series against opponents from different countries.

They have both been in Colombo since their early elimination from the ICC Champions Trophy and have taken the opportunity to utilise the prime facilities to ready themselves for the next assignments.

The West Indies leave on Tuesday for a tour of India, involving three Tests and seven One-Day Internationals.

Pakistan start the first of three Tests against Australia next Thursday in Colombo that, along with Sharjah, has been forced on them as neutral venues because of the risky security situation at home.

As with a similar practice match against Australia prior to the Champions Trophy, the format will again be flexible. It means that any 11, but not more than 11, can bat and field and that all the bowlers can bowl without having to do either.

The difference will be the change to the traditional red ball and white clothing and gear.

Since they ended their Champions Trophy campaign on September 17, the West Indies players have had ten days of intensive physical work and net practice.

They now have the chance to assess the effects against strong international opposition on a pitch and in hot, humid weather that should be similar to what they can expect over the next two-and-a-half months in India and, afterwards, Bangladesh for three One-Day Internationals and two Tests.

They have only one three-day match in Bangalore, against the Board President's XI October 3-5, before going into the first Test in Mumbai (Bombay) October 9. So this match is timely.

The Pakistanis are in familiar turmoil.

Their coach, Mudassar Nazar, and manager, Yawar Saeed, have been dismissed in the past ten days and, for contrasting reasons, they go into the series against Australia and today's practice match without five established players.

Their most accomplished middle-order batsmen, Inzamam-ul-Haq (heel) and Yousaf Youhanna (shoulder), are injured, and wicket-keeper Rashid Latif has asked for time off, as have the veterans, opener Saeed Anwar and left-arm fast bowler, Wasim Akram.

The West Indies have a notable absentee of their own. Brian Lara, hospitalised here for eight days by an illness believed to be hepatitis A, left for home Wednesday.

Batsman Marlon Samuels, all-rounder Gareth Breese and fast bowlers Cameron Cuffy, Jermaine Lawson and Darren Powell, all needed only for the Indian Tests, have been in Colombo over the past three days.

Opener Daren Ganga, Lara's replacement, was expected in Colombo last night.

For every one, the chance to get back to match play has not come a moment too soon.

© The Barbados Nation