West Indies, replying to Sri Lanka’s 476-8 declared, reached 269-9 at stumps on the third day after Sarwan struck a patient 80 on his home ground at Providence Stadium, Georgetown.

Sarwan had not played a Test since injuring his shoulder at Headingley in May before an ankle injury later in the year prevented him from touring South Africa. The injuries lost him the captaincy to Chris Gayle, though his solid comeback on day three would have made him feel a whole lot better after a hapless last 18 months, which also included a broken toe and a broken thumb.

Sarwan’s was the only notable contribution in their top six and when his 199-ball effort was ended by Chaminda Vaas with a catch by the wicketkeeper, that made the score 162-6 and West Indies then had to rely on their tail to see them near the follow-on target of 277, which they still have eight runs to make to avoid. Denesh Ramdin made 38 and Ryan Hinds chipped in with 37, while Jerome Taylor is 22 not out.

Sri Lanka’s reliable old-stagers Vaas, with 3-45, and record-breaking off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, 3-104, did most of the damage to the West Indies order.

After four previous Tests in the Caribbean, Sri Lanka are seeking a first win there.