Match Details:
The first game of the three-match One-day International series between Sri Lanka and West Indies will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
The match starts at 09:45 AM local time (04:15 AM GMT) (09:30 AM IST). This match will be live on Sony SIX and Sony SIX HD. Live Streaming will be available on Sony LIV.
Preview for Dream11 Fantasy
Sri Lanka and West Indies will be in action on Saturday with the former hosting the rejuvenated Kieron Pollard-led side for a three-match One-day International series, starting in Colombo on February 22. The hosts will be without opener Danuska Gunathilaka and Oshada Fernando, both of whom are recovering from injuries while they welcome back the likes of Thisara Perera and Niroshan Dickwella in their set-up.
West Indies, on the other hand, have made commendable strides ever since Kieron Pollard took over the leadership from Jason Holder. After competing tooth and nail against India in both the ODI and T20I series against India back in December, Pollard’s men polished off the Irish with ease by handing them a 0-3 whitewash, and will be looking to continue with the good work as they chase their first bilateral series win in Sri Lanka.
They will, however, be without the explosive pair of Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer-both of whom were ruled out due to fitness related issues. In their absence, the onus will be on the likes of Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Nicolas Pooran and Roston Chase. The tourists have enough depth in the all-rounders department in the form of skipper Pollard, Jason Holder while in Hayden, Walsh they have a good leg-spinning prospect who could be handful in the middle-overs.
Weather Condition/Report
Unfortunately, scattered thunderstorms are expected to be the order of the day in Colombo, if the weather reports are to be believed. According to the report, the temperature is set to fluctuate between 27 and 32 degrees Celsius while the humidity is set to hover around 72%. Chances of rain- 80℅.
Pitch Condition/Report:
With Persistent rains set to be the order of the day, we could be in for a curtailed fixture. The pitch, as usual, could assist the spinners in the second half but the fast bowlers may also come in handy with the moisture on display due to overcast conditions and rain.
Average first innings score: 205 (In 60 ODIs played at the venue)
Record of chasing teams: Won – 30, Lost – 23
Injury and Availability News
(Will be shared when there’s an update)
Probable Playing XIs
Sri Lanka
Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera(WK), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera/Isuru Udana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara
Bench: Lakshan Sandakan, Thisara Perera/Isuru Udana, Shehan Jayasuriya, Niroshan Dickwella
West Indies
Brandon King, Shai Hope (WK), Darren Bravo, Nicholas Pooran, Roston Chase, Kieron Pollard (C), Jason Holder, Keemo Paul/Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, Sheldon Cottrell, Alzarri Joseph
Bench – Keemo Paul/Fabian Allen, Rovman Powell, Romario Shephard, Sunil Ambris
Top Picks:
Sri Lanka- The hosts will bank on their experienced campaigners in skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Matthews, Kusal Mendis, and Kusual Perera to spearhead their batting unit. Dasun Shanaka and Thisara Perera could come in handy with the bat at the death while the trio of Wanindu Hasaranga, Nuwan Pradeep and Lahiru Kumara will spearhead the bowling unit.
West Indies- Shai Hope displayed why he is one of the best ODI openers going around with a half-century in the practice game. The opener was one of the leading run-scorers in the world last year and in the absence of Shimron Hetmyer and Evin Lewis, the onus will be on Hope to spearhead the top-order.
Roston Chase scored 136 in the practice game and him with Darren Bravo and the flamboyant Nicholas Pooran will lead the middle-order with the likes of Pollard and Holder serving as the finishers. Sheldon Cottrell and Alzarri Joseph should lead the bowling attack upfront while Hayden Walsh will be crucial in the middle overs.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Captain – Shai Hope, Kusal Mendis, Nicholas Pooran, Dimuth Karunaratne
Vice-Captain – Roston Chase, Angelo Matthews, Hayden Walsh
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope (C), Kusal Perera (VC)
Batsmen – Dimuth Karunaratne, Darren Bravo, Angelo Mathews
All-Rounders- Kieron Pollard, Roston Chase
Bowlers- Sheldon Cottrell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Nicholas Pooran (C), Kusal Perera
Batsmen – Dimuth Karunaratne, Darren Bravo, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews (VC)
All-Rounders- Thisara Perera, Roston Chase
Bowlers- Sheldon Cottrell, Hayden Walsh, Nuwan Pradeep
Experts Advice
Shai Hope has been in brilliant form in ODI cricket since the start of 2019. Apart from Hope, the likes of Kusal Mendis, Nicolas Pooran could be another prudent pick. The spinners might come into play in the middle-overs and opting for the likes of Hasaranga, Walsh in your grand league team could be worth a punt.
Probable Winners
Sri Lanka is expected to come out as winners.
Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.
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