Suranga Lakmal has been appointed as Sri Lanka’s captain for their third Test against West Indies, which begins later today on Saturday.

Dinesh Chandimal lost his appeal for a one-match ban for ball-tampering and the Sri Lankan cricket board have named 31-year-old bowler Lakmal as his replacement.

“Lakmal was appointed as the captain, in the absence of Dinesh Chandimal,” Sri Lanka Cricket said in a brief statement.

Sri Lanka must win the first-ever day-night Test in the Caribbean to save the three-match series after losing the first Test. The second Test ended in a draw.

Chandimal will miss out on the game after he was given a ban for applying saliva to the ball, reportedly with a sweet, during the second Test. He was also charged 100 per cent of his match fee.