Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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| Image credit: Getty |
What is the first thing that comes to mind as we look forward to this clash?
West Indies have been simply unbelievable with the ball in this tournament, and come up against a side that is not particularly firing with the bat. However, it is not to say that this game will be entirely one-sided, as the Windies have not had the best of tournaments with the bat so far, mustering just 106 and 107 against Bangladesh and South Africa respectively.
Sri Lanka, like West Indies, are in with a shot of a semi finals appearance. The point against England was welcome, but their clinical effort with the ball against Bangladesh has them rewarded with an opportunity to cause an upset and move above West Indies in the Group A standings. Can Sri Lanka’s batting hold up against a firing Windies attack?
Key to a West Indies win
The intensity, desire and passion of the Windies side can take them far in this tournament. Their batting leaves a little to be desired at the moment, but their bowling performances have been extraordinary, allowing them to pick up two comfortable wins from positions of discomfort.
With the ball, the Windies have been a well-oiled machine so far in World T20 2018, conceding just 122 runs in two matches. Against a Sri Lankan side struggling with the bat currently, the opportunity awaits for the Windies to pounce, after Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor were chief destroyers against Bangladesh and South Africa respectively. Who will be the chief destroyer today, and will they get good output from the supporting bowlers?
But, with the bat, West Indies have been putting themselves under pressure. Positions of 4/36 against Bangladesh and 4/29 against South Africa tells us exactly what we know of the host nation right now – the top order is not quite aiming up, and need to if they are to make an impact against the higher ranked sides in the tournament. Will they start today?
Key to a Sri Lanka win
The big question for Sri Lanka is whether their batting can cope with the Windies’ bowling might. In their two games to date, Sri Lanka have struggled on their way to sub-100 totals, which ended up being enough against Bangladesh. However, this is their biggest test to date, and need their skipper Chamari Atapattu and Shashikala Siriwardene to step up again.
However, what will give the Sri Lankans hope is that the West Indies have only scraped past 100 twice themselves. The Windies top order has not fired yet in this tournament, so an opportunity awaits Sri Lanka to continue this trend. Udeshika Prabodhani, Shashikala Siriwardene and skipper Atapattu were all in the wickets against Banglaadesh – can Sri Lanka make this a tight game on the back off their bowling?
Possible teams
West Indies: 1. Hayley Matthews, 2. Deandra Dottin, 3. Stafanie Taylor (c), 4. Shermaine Campbelle, 5. Kycia Knight (wk), 6. Natasha McLean, 7. Britney Cooper, 8. Chinelle Henry, 9. Afy Fletcher, 10. Shakera Selman, 11. Shamilia Connell
Sri Lanka: 1. Yashoda Mendis, 2. Hasini Perera, 3. Dilani Manodara, 4. Chamari Atapattu (c), 5. Shashikala Siriwardene, 6. Eshani Lokusuriyage, 7. Nilakshi de Silva, 8. Sripali Weerakkody, 9. 9. Oshadi Ranasinghe, 10. Udeshika Prabodhani, 11. Inoshi Priyadharshani
Stats and Facts
- West Indies have won the last five T20Is against Sri Lanka.
- Sri Lanka, with a win, will pass West Indies on the Group A table.
- West Indies have conceded just 122 runs in two games so far in World T20, including taking 9/28 to beat South Africa.
Prediction
West Indies’ bowling should be too strong for Sri Lanka, which will see them get a victory to seal their spot in the semi finals.
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