From correspondents in Maharashtra, India, 08:03 PM IST

Mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis will miss the third and the final Test match of the series against India here Wednesday as Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara opted for a third seamer on a bouncy track at the Brabourne Stadium.

Mendis played the second Test in Kanpur after the management opted for a three-pronged spin attack. But after he took two for 162 in the match, the management had no option but to axe Mendis.

'Mendis will have to sit out. We'll probably go with an extra seamer than a spinner on this track, which doesn't look as dull as the one at Ahmedabad or Kanpur,' said Sangakkara.

Nuwan Kulasekara, who has regained full fitness, seems to have the edge over the experienced Dilhara Fernando for the third fast bowler's spot.

'In the last two to three series, Kulasekara has been very consistent in both ODI and Test. So, quality-wise I think Kulasekara has an edge. Dilhara Fernando is coming into the side after a while but he is bowling well and with a lot of pace. It is a tough choice and we'll have to make that tough choice today,' Sangakkara added.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)