Sri Lanka vs West Indies, Sri Lanka vs West Indies 2020, Today Match Prediction 22 Feb 2020

srl vs windies Match Prediction & Analysis

Host Sri Lanka will be looking to start their home season on a positive note when they take on West Indies in the opening game of the one-day series played at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Saturday.

Dimuth Karunratne will lead Sri Lanka for this three-match one-day series against West Indies. The home side will be keen to change their fortunes in white-ball cricket after suffering from inconsistency last year. On the other hand, West Indies will be looking to continue their good form in this one-day series.  Kieron Pollard-led unit will be keen to put on a strong show against Sri Lanka.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sri Lanka Preview

Wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella and all-rounder Thisara Perera have made their comeback to the limited-overs squad for this one-day series. Opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka and Oshada Fernando will miss the series due to injuries.

For this one-day series, the side will be relying on the likes of Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera and Angelo Matthews to do the bulk of the scoring. Since Feb 2018, Kusal Perera has been a bankable performer for the side in white-ball cricket. Left-hander has accumulated 883 runs in 23 innings at an average of 38.39 with two centuries and five half-centuries to his name.

Besides Perera, experienced all-rounder Angelo Matthews has shown excellent form in limited-overs cricket. In 18 matches, Matthews has scored 705 runs at an average of 50.35 with one century and five half-centuries to their name. Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva and Isuru Udana will be given the task of scoring big runs in the final phase of the innings.

In the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep and Wanindu Hasaranga to make crucial breakthroughs. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has done well for the side in the limited-overs format and has claimed 13 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 6.38.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Avishka Fernando, Angelo Matthews, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Wanindu Hasaranga.

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Dimuth Karunaratne, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Isuru Udana, Wanidu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Pradeep

West Indies Preview

Swashbuckling opener Evin Lewis and middle-order batsman Shimron Hetmyer have been dropped from the side after failing to clear the fitness Test. Bowling all-rounder Fabian Allen, Rovman Powell and Darren Bravo make their return to the limited-overs squad for this three-match series against Sri Lanka.

In the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of Shai Hope, Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran to deliver the bulk of the runs. Since Jan 2019, wicket-keeper batsman Shai Hope has been the standout performer with the bat in one-day cricket. He has accumulated 1389 runs in 31 matches at an average of 55.56 with four centuries and eight half-centuries to his name. Besides, Nicholas Pooran has delivered consistent scores for the side in white-ball cricket. Left-hander has scored 840 runs in 22 matches at an average of 52.50 with one century and six half-centuries to their name.

Sunil Ambris and Brandon King will fight it out for a place in the playing XI for this game. Middle-order comprising of Roston Chase, Darren Bravo and Fabian Allen will need to deliver scores for the side in this three-match series.

In the bowling department, the side will be banking on the pace trio of Sheldon Cottrell, Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder to deliver crucial breakthroughs with the new ball. Since Jan 2019, Left-arm medium-pacer Sheldon Cottrell has been the leading wicket-taker for the side in one-day internationals. He has taken 36 wickets in 26 matches at an average of 30.94 with one five-wicket haul to his name.

West Indies Predicted Playing XI:

Brandon King/Sunil Ambris, Shai Hope, Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (wk), Roston Chase, Darren Bravo, Fabian Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Alzarri Joseph, Hayden Walsh Jr, Jason Holder.

West Indies Actual Playing XI:

Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo, Sunil Ambris , Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran, Sheldon Cottrell, Roston Chase, Shai Hope, Hayden Walsh Jr, Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Traditionally, the pitch at Sinhalese Cricket Club favors the batsmen. The slower bowlers will get some assistance off the pitch. The weather forecast for Saturday is expected to have thundery showers during the daytime.

Venue Details

Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo is going to host the opening game between West Indies and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka will take heart from the fact that they have won their last two one-day games against West Indies at this venue. Since Jan 2011, Sri Lanka has managed to win eight out of 11 one-day games against the West Indies.

Toss: To Bat

Both the teams would be looking to win the toss and bat first on such a placid pitch.  Average score at the venue is around 250 runs.