Match Details:
The first Test of the two-match Test series between West Indies and Sri Lanka will be played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, starting from 21st March.
The match is scheduled to start at 10:00 AM local time and 7:30 PM IST and it will be streamed live on Fancode.
Preview:
West Indies will take on Sri Lanka in the first of the two-match test series on Sunday. Despite sending an inexperienced squad to Bangladesh, West Indies have managed to pull off an improbable victory in the test series by a margin of 2-0. Stand-in skipper for that tour, Kraigg Brathwaite has been justifiably rewarded with a full-time test captaincy role. Kyle Mayers, who scored a double century on debut in the Bangladesh tour, has kept his place for the Sri Lanka series as well. Winning the T20I and ODI series must have boosted West Indies’confidence immensely.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have won only one game combined in both T20 and ODI series in this tour. They will be really hungry for a turnaround as they have lost their last two home and away Test series against England and South Africa respectively. The last time these two teams met in Test was way back in 2018, where the series was drawn 1-1. Lasith Embuldeniya, who bowled really well in the home conditions against England, will be the man to watch for in this series. Sri Lanka are currently ranked seventh in the ICC Test rankings.
WI vs SL Weather Report for 1st Test:
We can expect ideal weather conditions to play cricket for the next five days here in Antigua, where the 2nd and 3rd days of the test will be mostly cloudy, whereas the other 3 days will be sunny. The maximum temperature will touch 28 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature is predicted to be at 23 degrees Celsius. There is no chance of precipitation for this match.
Pitch Condition/Report:
Sir Vivian Richards Stadium has hosted eight Test matches so far, where 3 matches ended in a draw. Home side West Indies have won 3 and lost 2 matches on this venue. Fast bowlers have an excellent record bowling on this venue, while the surface will definitely test batsmen’s technique in the first 2 days.
Average first innings score:
298 (Last 5 matches played on this venue)
Also Read – Sachin Tendulkar emphasizes IPL factor after Ishan Kishan and SKY flaunt class in international platform
Injury and Availability News:
(Will be added when there is an update)
WI vs SL Today’s Probable Playing XIs:
West Indies
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), John Campbell, Darren Bravo / Nkrumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers, Jermaine Blackwood, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Jason Holder, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach
Bench:
Jomel Warrican
Sri Lanka
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka/Wanindu Hasaranga, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Vishwa Fernando
Bench:
Ramesh Mendis, Roshen Silva, Asitha Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Dilshan Madushanka, Ashen Bandara
WI vs SL Top Picks for Today’s Dream11 Match:
Newly-appointed West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite had a decent tour of Bangladesh, scoring 149 runs in 4 innings at an average of 37.25. In his Test career, he has scored 3876 runs at an average of 32.57, including 8 centuries and 20 half-centuries.
Kyle Mayers made a unique record of scoring a double century on debut in the fourth innings of a Test match against Bangladesh. He ended up as the leading run-scorer in that series with 261 runs in 2 matches at an average of 87.
All-rounder Jason Holder will be a must pick for your Dream11 fantasy team. He wasn’t part of the Bangladesh tour, but is all set to feature in this series against the Lankan Lions. He has played 45 Test matches in his career and has scored 2115 runs at an average of 32.04. Holder has also picked up 116 wickets with the best bowling figures of 6/42.
Shannon Gabriel will really enjoy bowling on this bouncy surface. He has troubled the batsmen in the past with his nippy bounce and seam movement. In his Test career, he has picked up 156 wickets in 52 matches with the best bowling figures of 8/62.
Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne missed the home series against England due to injury. He is a reliable batsman for his side. Karunaratne’s numbers are quite impressive in the Test format. He has scored 4657 runs in 68 matches at an average of 36.66, including 10 centuries and 24 half-centuries.
Dhananjaya de Silva too missed the home series against England owing to an injury. In his Test career, he has scored 1942 runs in 32 matches at an average of 36.64, with the highest score of 173. He has also picked up 21 wickets with the best bowling figures of 3/25.
Lasith Embuldeniya was the leading wicket-taker in the home series against England, where he picked up 15 wickets in 2 matches. In only 9 Test matches, he has scalped 45 wickets with the best figures of 7/137.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Captain Options – Kraigg Brathwaite, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers
Vice-Captain Options – Dimuth Karunaratne, Jermaine Blackwood, Dhananjaya de Silva
Also Read – Sachin Tendulkar emphasizes IPL factor after Ishan Kishan and SKY flaunt class in international platform
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for WI vs SL Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Dinesh Chandimal
Batters – Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Dimuth Karunaratne (vc), Lahiru Thirimanne
All-Rounders – Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Wanindu Hasaranga
Bowlers – Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, Lasith Embuldeniya
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for WI vs SL Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Joshua Da Silva
Batters – John Campbell, Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Kraigg Brathwaite, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne
All-Rounders – Jason Holder (c), Dhananjaya de Silva
Bowlers – Shannon Gabriel, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal
Expert Advice:
Both skippers Kraigg Brathwaite and Dimuth Karunaratne are the main batsmen for their respective sides and they tackle the new ball well. Both can be good captaincy picks.
Today’s WI vs SL Probable Winners:
West Indies are expected to win this match.
