Sri Lanka vs West Indies, SL-W vs WI-W 2024, Today Match Prediction

SLW vs WIW Match Prediction & Analysis

The third and final T20 of the three-match T20I series between Sri Lanka Women and West Indies Women will be played at Hambantota on 28 June 2024. After losing the first game against the hosts, West Indies Women came back strongly to win the series-levelling second game, making this third T20I a decider on Friday.

Traditionally, Sri Lanka Women have not done well against the West Indies in the head-to-head T20 contest. However, they have a great chance at home to win the series against a formidable West Indies side. It’s tough, but Sri Lanka would believe based on what happened earlier in the series in the 1st T20I.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sri Lanka Preview

Sri Lanka Women started the series with a bang, winning the first game against their strong West Indian counterparts. The star performers were Chamari Athapaththu ( 4 wickets for 29 runs) and Inoshi Priyadharshani (3 wickets for 28 runs), restricting West Indies Women to 134 for 8. The chase proved to be a simple one, and Sri Lanka Women won the game with 8 balls and 4 wickets to spare.

In the rain-affected second match, batting first, Sri Lanka Women made 89 for 4 in 15.2 overs. That was under run-a-ball with just 4 wickets down. Not having much to defend, Sri Lanka Women lost by 6 wickets.

Over-dependence on Chamari Athapaththu has been a concern for Sri Lanka Women, and it looks difficult for them to win the series decider without her contribution. Players such as Vishmi Gunaratne and Inoshi Priyadharshani must step in and help Sri Lanka Women win the T20I series at home.

Key players: Chamari Athapaththu, Vishmi Gunaratne, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Harshitha Samarawickrama

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Kaushani Nuthyangana (wk), Hasini Perera, Ama Kanchana, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Kawya Kavindi

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshi de Silva, Harshitha Madavi, Hasini Perera, Chamari Atapattu, Kavisha Dilhari, Sachini Nisansala, Sugandika Kumari, Kawya Kavindi, Ama Kanchana, Shashini Gimhani

West Indies Preview

West Indies Women boast a good record against Sri Lanka Women. In the last five head–to–head encounters, the West Indies Women have won 4 matches, compared to Sri Lanka Women's 1 win, which came in the first match of this series.

After a 4-wicket loss in the first game, West Indies Women came back stronger in the second T20I to level the series. Chasing 99 (DLS method) to win in the rain-affected game, West Indies Women reached the target with 6 wickets and 5 balls to spare, thanks to contributions at the top from Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor.

Just like Chamari for Sri Lanka Women, West Indies Women have been dependent on Hayley Matthews’ all-round performance to win games. She has 573 runs and 13 wickets in the last 10 games. As long as she is supported well by players like Shemaine Campbelle and Afy Fletcher, West Indies Women should win the series decider against Sri Lanka Women.

Key players: Hayley Matthews, Shemaine Campbelle, Afy Fletcher, Stafanie Taylor

West Indies Predicted Playing XI:

Hayley Matthews (c), Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Chedean Nation, Aaliyah Alleyne, Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell

West Indies Actual Playing XI:

Cherry Ann Fraser, Qiana Joseph, Hayley Matthews, Shemaine Campbelle, Stafanie Taylor, Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather at Hambantota will be breezy, with periods of sun and clouds. It will be an excellent day for a cricket match, with some help to bowlers under the clouds. The temperature will be around 33°C.

SLW vs WIW Pitch Report

The venue for this match is Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. Established in 2009, the stadium has a capacity of 35,000 and a slightly grassy pitch that may help the seamers.

Toss: To Bowl

The pitch at Hambantota is not a very high-scoring venue. Initially, there’s help for the bowlers that makes them most potent in the initial phase of the game. The first two matches of the series went to the chasing teams at this venue. The team winning the toss should bowl first here.