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Match Details
Date: March 4, 2021
Time: 3:30 AM IST
Venue: Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua
Live Ball-by-Ball Commentary: SportsTiger App
Preview:
With the 2021 T20 World Cup approaching, the focus is now back on the shortest format of the game as West Indies hosts Sri Lanka for an exciting 3-match T20I series in Antigua. Since both the teams are coming on the back of playing some 5-day cricket, they will have to quickly adjust to the change in format as they kickstart their preparations for the mega event, scheduled later this year. With some star players back in action for their national side after such a long time in T20Is, this is certainly going to be a captivating watch for all the viewers.
Weather Report:
Pitch Report:
Key Players:
Team News
West Indies:
Kieron Pollard-led side will have most of their star players back for this series. With Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Fidel Edwards and Jason Holder back in the team, Windies will have a dangerous-looking side that will take the field in Antigua.
Sri Lanka:
The Lankans have suffered a major blow ahead of the T20I series. Their newly-appointed skipper Dasun Shanaka will be unavailable as his travel to Caribbean was delayed due to visa issues. Veteran Angelo Mathews is expected to take up the captaincy duties in his absence.
Analysis:
West Indies will have most of their explosive stars back for this series as they aim to defend their T20 title in the upcoming World Cup. Nicholas Pooran (241 runs), Evin Lewis (216 runs) and Lendl Simmons (211 runs) had an impressive outing in the recently concluded T10 League. On the other hand, Fidel Edwards has made his way back into the squad after scalping 7 wickets in 8 matches in the tournament. However, all eyes will be on Chris Gayle who is looking in good form, coming on the back of scoring 107 runs from 2 matches he played in the ongoing Pakistan Super League.
While Windies rely mostly on the experienced players, Sri Lanka have come up with a fairly fresh-look squad. 29-year-old Danushka Gunathilaka has made his way into the squad after an impressive Lanka Premier League (LPL) campaign in 2020. He was the leading run-scorer in the tournament, scoring 476 runs in 10 matches. Wahindu Hasaranga will be another exciting player to watch out for, who scalped 17 wickets in LPL inaugural edition. Thisara Perera will be a key player for the visitors as his experience in the short format could prove to be vital.
Team 1:
Team 2:
Probable Playing XI
West Indies:
Lendl Simmons, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Dwayne Bravo, Fabian Allen, Jason Holder, Fidel Edwards, Obed McCoy, Akeal Hosein
Sri Lanka:
Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Dinesh Chandimal, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews (c), Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal
Best 14
Wicket-Keepers: Nicholas Pooran, Dinesh Chandimal
Batsmen: Lendl Simmons, Chris Gayle, Danushka Gunathilaka, Angelo Mathews
All-Rounders: Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder
Bowlers: Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Pradeep, Dwayne Bravo, Fidel Edwards
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