Sri Lanka v West Indies 1st ODI preview: West Indies look for revival in ODIs

Sri Lanka v West Indies 1^st ODI preview: West Indies look for revival in ODIs: After a triumphant victory over West Indies for Sri Lanka in the Tests, the attention now shifts to the 3 match ODI series. While the Sri Lankans will be looking forward to carry forward the momentum while the West Indies would like to sweep the disappointing performances in the longer format under the rug and try to even out the terms by winning the ODI series.

Though the West Indies team was able to bag the List A match versus Sri Lanka Board President XI, there is a lot of concern for the team’s ability to build an innings. As far as Sri Lankan team is concerned, it is going through a metamorphosis stage, with the captain Mathews having a responsibility to build a competitive team after the retirement of heavyweights earlier this year.

Sri Lanka

While the Sri Lankans will be flying high after a morale-boosting series victory in Tests; if we consider the fact that a dysfunctional Test team came dangerously close to beat them in their own backyard in the second test, it shows that they have a tough quest ahead.

The obvious positives include the form of Dinesh Chandimal and Siriwardana, who are a part of the ODI squad as well. Despite a rare failure from the captain, Mathews would not be too worried about his form, considering his outstanding performances over the past two years.

While Kusal Perera, who was a sole silver lining in the ODI series against Pakistan a few months ago, will look forward to stamp his authority in the shorter format, Dilshan, who is nearing 40, will still play a pivotal role in the top of the order.

The major concern is their bowling attack, especially Lasith Malinga’s form. Malinga has not been at his best this year, and considering his action and stress induced upon his shoulder, it is quite obvious that his powers are waning. But he is still the leader of the attack, and would look forward to regain his touch. With the usual faces Kulasekara, Lakmal and Senanayake back into the mix, there is no dearth of variety in the squad.

The return of once the “mystery spinner” Ajanta Mendis raised a few eyebrows, and it will be interesting as to how the West Indies players handle him if he plays. It is highly unlikely that any of the current West Indies players have actually faced him, and he might be a secret trump card for the captain.

West Indies

The West Indies, albeit the internal turmoil back home, have been playing mixed cricket. Being a pale shadow of their 2000 compatriots, leave alone the 90s and 80s, the team of this decade has been a huge disappointment. But more often than not, they have cropped up some inspired performances out of the blue, and would look for one in this series, after a horrid Test series loss.

Led by Jason Holder, the talented pacer who is yet to make a breakthrough, the team is not short of talent. While Carlos Braithwathe and Darren Bravo would look to take their good form into the ODI series, the return of Marlon Samuels and Sunil Narine will strengthen the team dynamics. The resurgence of Jerome Taylor has been a big positive for the West Indies team.

Their real problem during the last years or so is their inability to build an innings, and more importantly, lack of application against quality bowling, coupled with some poor shot selection. While the likes of Braithwathe and Bravo have impressed everyone in patches, they are yet to take up the mantle of being the senior, responsible batsmen, and bat according to what situation demands. This will be one of the primary challenges in the ODI series, especially against Sri Lankan spinners.

As far as the bowling attack is concerned, with Narine back into the mix, they have an attack to counter the Sri Lankan batsmen in their own den. Also, Andre Russell is an invaluable all-round talent, and his presence in the team provides a lot of options to the captain.

Last 5 Encounters

Sri Lanka: L W L L W

West Indies: W L L W L

Pitch

Premadasa Stadium at Colombo has been a favorite hunting ground for the Sri Lankans, and they have an astounding record of 62 victories in 100 matches played at this ground. West Indies won their last encounter here, albeit coming 10 years ago. But Pakistan humbled Sri Lanka in this very ground a few months ago, having lost both their ODIs here. But generally, the pitch is known to assist the batsmen initially, slowing down in the second innings for the spinners.

Stats

5 – West Indies have played 5 ODIs at Premadasa, winning 2 and losing 3.

0 – No of ODIs West Indies have played post 2015 World Cup.

1497 – The number of runs Dishan has scored at Premadasa, at an average of 37. This is the highest tally amongst current players, and 4^th highest of all time at Premadasa.

45 – No of wickets taken by Malinga at Premadasa, coming in just 27 matches @24.

250 – Highest runs by a player in West Indies-Sri Lanka matches amongst active players, by Marlon Samuels. He scored it in 14 matches.

12 – Most number of wickets taken by a player in West Indies-Sri Lanka matches amongst active players, by Lasith Malinga in 6 matches.

253 – Highest total in a SL-WI match at RPS, made by Sri Lanka way back in 2001.

85 – No of runs Angelo Mathews needs to score to achieve the 4000 runs landmark in ODIs.

Probable XI:

West Indies:

Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin(wk), Andre Russell, Jason Holder(C), Carlos Brathwaite, Sunil Narine, Jerome Taylor, Ravi Rampaul, Jonathan Carter, Jason Mohammed, Jermaine Blackwood, Devendra Bishoo.

Sri Lanka:

Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera(wk), Lahiru Thirimanne, Shehan Jayasuriya, Angelo Mathews(C), Dinesh Chandimal, Milinda Siriwardana, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Suranga Lakmal, Ajantha Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Jeffrey Vandersay.