Last Update on: March 12th, 2021 at 11:40 am
On Friday (12th March), West Indies will face Sri Lanka in the second game of the three-match ODI series at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (North Sound, Antigua).
Currently, the Caribbean side is leading this series by the 1-0 margin as they won the first match of this series by 8 wickets with 18 balls remaining.
West Indies vs Sri Lanka 2021, 2nd ODI: Match Preview
West Indies
West Indies have got a solid start in this home ODI series as they made a great comeback in the series-opener and recorded a big victory, which ended their five-match losing streak against Sri Lanka. Another win will secure this series for the hosts.
Though their bowlers failed to dismiss the visiting openers in the first 19 overs, they totally controlled the game once the skipper Kieron Pollard brought the breakthrough in a brilliant way. Most of the Caribbean bowlers were very disciplined as it was a total team effort to restrict the visitors to less than 250 runs despite setting up the century partnership for the opening wicket.
Openers Evin Lewis and Shai Hope set up a very good start in their chase of 233 runs. They built up 143 runs partnership before Lewis was out for 65 runs off 90 balls. Later, the other opener Hope completed his 10th ODI century as he scored 110 runs off 133 balls. Soon, Darren Bravo (37*) and Jason Mohammed (13*) comfortably finished that game.
Full Squad
Kieron Pollard (C), Shai Hope (vc), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Jason Mohammed, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka have started their journey in the 2020–23 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League with a big defeat. Now the visitors must have to win both the remaining matches to win this series.
Ahead of the second ODI of this series, Sri Lanka have got a huge blow as Angelo Mathews is returning home due to his family matter. The visitors will definitely miss his experience on the field.
In the opening match of this series, captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Danushka Gunathilake provided a strong start with the 105 runs opening partnership, where both the batsmen scored half-centuries. But most of the other batsmen failed to control that game as they were bowled out for 232 runs in 49 overs. Though the debutant Ashen Bandara scored 50, their other batsmen failed to reach the 20-run mark.
West Indies comfortably chased that target as only Dushmantha Chameera (2/50) managed to take wickets in that second innings.
Full Squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Dasun Shanaka, Danushka Gunathilake, Pathum Nissanka, Ashen Bandara, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Thisara Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dananajaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilshan Madushanka, Suranga Lakmal.
West Indies vs Sri Lanka 2021, 2nd ODI: Match Prediction
The hosts West Indies are very much confident due to winning the series-opener in a dominant style. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s limited experiences will get hurt due to Angelo Mathews absence.
So, West Indies will start this second ODI as a favourite side.