Sri Lanka have absolutely destroyed the West Indies in the Test and ODI formats over the last month so the men from the Caribbean will be eager to redress the balance when they finish their tour with two T20 internationals.
Of course these matches aren’t all about pride for the Windies. A World T20 is just around the corner so they act as preparation for that and the opening match takes place in Pallekele on Monday afternoon.
Sri Lanka are the reigning world champions in this format so the West Indies needn’t think they are going to get an easy ride here. This is a much different side to the one which won that tournament 20 or so months ago though.
Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have left the side and now Lasith Malinga captains it. He’s pretty inexperienced and I never like that. In games gone by Jayawardene gave him a lot of help so it will be interesting to see how he goes. Ajantha Mendis has been left out of the squad surprisingly.
West Indies were the world champions in this format prior to Sri Lanka so they know how to get the game done in the 20 over environment. They have struggled on this tour but a lot of that has been down to the players they have had absent.
With that in mind they will be glad to have Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard in their ranks for this series. Sunil Narine will remain a big player for them and his overs carry even more weight over this format so he should be a key feature.
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele hosts this first T20 as it did the third ODI between the two sides. This wicket usually carries a bit more pace so that will suit the West Indies’ batsmen at least if not their bowlers.
There have been 15 previous ODIs on this ground with Sri Lanka having an excellent record here. They have won six and lost one with one tie in their nine scheduled games here. West Indies have a win, a loss and a tie against New Zealand at this venue.
I think these two T20 matches are going to be much more competitive than anything we’ve seen between these two sides so far and given that the West Indies have their heavy artillery in town compared to Sri Lanka who look just a touch light, particularly in the bowling side of things I’m prepared to chance the tourists here.
We’ve seen in the past that their bowlers know just how to perform in this format and they bat ever so deep and that batting depth coupled with their bowling strength makes the West Indies overpriced to me.
Back West Indies to win 1st T20 for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with BetVictor
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