West Indies vs Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka tour of West Indies, 2021, Today Match Prediction 29 Mar 2021

wi vs sl Match Prediction & Analysis

The 1st Test between the West Indies and Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium ended in a draw. While the scorecard might suggest a tame draw, the game had plenty of enthralling action and remained a captivating contest right till the end. The pendulum kept shifting throughout the 5 days and by the 4th day, it felt like Sri Lanka would pull off a remarkable win. But Nkrumah Bonner’s maiden hundred helped blunt the visitors out. The action will now shift to the 2nd Test which begins on March 29 at the same venue. Both teams will be looking for a win and clinch the series.
 

TEAMS PREVIEW

West Indies Preview

West Indies began the 1st Test well by bowling Sri Lanka out for just 169 runs. However, they couldn’t sustain the advantage and managed only 271 runs in their 1st innings. As the pitch began to ease out, Sri Lanka responded by putting on 476 runs in their 2nd foray and setting the home side a target of 375 runs. The pitch had slowed down considerably and the West Indian batsmen, led by Nkrumah Bonner (113*) and Kyle Mayers (52) managed to eke out a draw.

Apart from Bonner, the stars for West Indies in this Test were Jason Holder and Kemar Roach whose exemplary seam bowling on the first morning pegged Sri Lanka back. Roach ended the match with an 8-wicket haul and spinner Rahkeem Cornwall too found his rhythm in the 2nd innings by picking up 3 wickets. Cornwall, in fact, proved his effectiveness as an all-rounder with a gritty 61 in the first innings that helped West Indies take the lead.

West Indies has a strong batting unit and will contuse to impress. They might bring in Darren Bravo for the 2nd Test to bolster their batting as their bowling has enough variety. 
 

West Indies Predicted Playing XI:

Kraigg Brathwaite (c), John Campbell, Nkrumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers, Darren Bravo, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel

West Indies Actual Playing XI:

Kemar Roach, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, Jason Holder, John Campbell, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Rahkeem Cornwall, Kyle Mayers, Kraigg Brathwaite, Alzarri Joseph

Sri Lanka Preview

Sri Lanka will be happy with their performance in the 1st Test. At one stage, they were looking to be down and out after being bundled out for 169 in the first innings, but they registered a heroic comeback in the second one. Debutant Pathum Nissanka shined with an amazing 103 and was ably supported by Niroshan Dickwella (96) and Dhananjaya de Silva (50). Oshada Fernando (91) and Lahiru Thirimanne (76) made a solid impact at the top of the order too which should give the batting unit some much-needed confidence. Now, if the experienced Dinesh Chandimal can provide some crucial contributions, then Sri Lanka can really put pressure on the West Indies.

On the bowling front, seamer Suranga Lakmal was the star for Sri Lanka with his terrific 5-wicket haul in the first innings. Vishwa Fernando and Lasith Embuldeniya were good too. But they would need more from Dushmantha Chameera to really push the Windies in their home conditions. 
 

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Lasith Embuldeniya

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Niroshan Dickwella, Dushmantha Chameera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Vishwa Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Pathum Nissanka, Suranga Lakmal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Embuldeniya

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua, was a pretty slow-paced one. While the seam bowlers found plenty of help in the first two days, the track slowed down considerably from the 3rd day onwards and batting became much easier. Even though the ball will come down slowly to the bat, it won’t move around much and those who apply themselves can make a big impression.

The weather for all five days of the Test is likely to be cloudy and partly sunny. There might be a few showers that disrupt the game.
 

Venue Details

The track at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium has been interesting. It started off lively but then slowed to such an extent that rapid run-scoring became difficult. The seamers might still get some movement off the deck in the 2nd innings, but taking wickets will be a challenge. Another draw cannot be ruled out.

Toss: To Bowl

The team winning the toss will look to bowl first. Bating is a little tough early on and become much easier as the game progresses.