West Indies vs Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka tour of West Indies, 2021, Today Match Prediction 14 Mar 2021

wi vs sl Match Prediction & Analysis

West Indies clinched a last-over thriller in the 2nd ODI at North Sound to bag the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka at home. Sri Lanka produced a much better performance after the way they lost the first ODI. However, that wasn’t enough as Evin Lewis’ terrific century helped the home side chase down a target of 274 with two balls to spare. The third and final ODI on Sunday has now become a dead rubber but Sri Lanka would look to end with a win before they start the Test series.

TEAMS PREVIEW

West Indies Preview

West Indies have been quite clinical in this ODI series and have won both the matches so far with great authority. In the 2nd ODI, openers Evin Lewis (103) and Shai Hope (84) set the platform for the 247-run target with a brilliant partnership of 192 runs in 37.2 overs to knock Sri Lanka out of the contest. The team would also be happy that Nicholas Pooran (35*) got to spend some valuable time in the middle and played a good knock. Even though they scrambled towards the end and the likes of Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, and Fabian Allen didn’t make much of an impression, that shouldn’t worry the team much as the top-order is firing beautifully.

Their bowling was decent on a good batting deck with Alzarri Joseph (2-42) being the best of the lot. Fabian Allen and Jason Mohammed were good with their spin and covered up for the lack of bite from the others. West Indies would hope, however, that Romario Shepherd, who went for 37 runs in his 3 overs, does a better job. 
 

West Indies Predicted Playing XI:

Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wk), Darren Bravo, Jason Mohammed, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (c), Jason Holder, Fabian Allen, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein

West Indies Actual Playing XI:

Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo, Akeal Hosein, Nicholas Pooran, Alzarri Joseph, Anderson Phillip, Jason Holder, Jason Mohammed, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen

Sri Lanka Preview

After losing the first ODI convincingly, Sri Lanka needed an improved batting effort to challenge West Indies. Danushka Gunathilaka (96) and Dinesh Chandimal (71), along with Wanindu Hasaranga (47) did exactly that, helping the team post a solid 273-8 on the board. That wasn’t enough, though, as the Lankan bowlers couldn’t make much of an impression against the strong West Indian lineup. Sri Lanka needed some more contributions from their top batsmen but the likes of Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Ashen Bandara, and Thisara Perera failed to do much with the bat. Perera, in particular, needs to step up and take charge down the order if Sri Lanka hopes to post a stronger total.

What hurt Sri Lanka more was their insipid bowling show. None of their bowlers could produce inroads as the West Indies ran away with the game. Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, and Thisara Perera leaked runs and never could put much pressure on the batsmen. The only shining light for the visitors on the bowling front was left-arm chinaman Lakshan Sandakan’s superb spell of 1-36.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Danushka Gunathilaka, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Oshada Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Wanidu Hasaranga, Asitha Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Ashen Bandara

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium is a pretty good ODI strip. It remains good for batting but isn’t an absolute paradise. The bowlers get some purchase but have to keep varying their lengths a little. Spinners are likely to get more help than the seamers as the wicket slows down a little.

The weather at Antigua will be clear and pleasant with periods of clouds and sunshine. The average temperature will be around the 28° mark.
 

Venue Details

The team batting first will be looking to set a score of around 280-290 runs to feel safe. As we have seen in this series so far, the chasing side has the advantage and the team batting first will need to post a formidable target.   
 

Toss: To Bowl

The team winning the toss would like to bowl first as both the matches in the series have been won by the side batting second and chasing a target seems to be the more fruitful option.