When and Where to Watch West Indies vs Sri Lanka, Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, and Pitch Report for 2nd Test

The first Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka was one where fortunes swung wildly. After the first innings, it looked as if Sri Lanka were down and out. They were bowled out for just 169 in their first innings and were trailing the West Indian side by 102 runs when they began the second essay.

But then, the likes of Oshada Fernando and Pathum Nissanka stepped up for the visitors and Sri Lanka made a sensational comeback into the game in the second innings. While Fernando scored a classy 91, Nissanka sizzled with a 252 ball 103, as Sri Lanka set the West Indies a target of 375 for victory, and the hosts were on the backfoot.

The West Indies had to bat on a fifth-day pitch, with the Sri Lankan side baying for their blood. But then, a defiant Caribbean side played out 100 overs and lost just 4 wickets in their second innings as the match ended in a stalemate. Nkrumah Bonner scored a classic 113* and consumed 274 deliveries in the process.

However, going into the second Test, there are a few concerns for both sides. For Sri Lanka, the form of their skipper Dimuth Karunaratne is surely something to worry about. In his last 12 innings in Test cricket, Karunaratne has failed to cross the 30-run mark on as many as 9 occasions. For the West Indies too, both skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell have struggled to get going.

While Brathwaite has managed to muster just 99 runs in his last 5 Test innings, Campbell has scored just a solitary fifty in his last 17 outings in the format. And surely, a cracker of a series finale awaits the fans as both sides will be looking to seal the series when the second Test gets underway on 29th March 2021.

Pitch and Conditions

The second Test will take place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, the same venue where the first Test was played. And as we saw in the first Test, all the willow wielders who exhibited the quality of patience were successful. Both the centurions in the last match, Pathum Nissanka and Nkrumah Bonner emerged successful because they spent quality time out in the middle.

In terms of weather, it will be a bit cloudy during all five days with a little bit of rain expected. Expect the new ball to nip around.

Playing Combinations for West Indies vs Sri Lanka

West Indies

The West Indies are likely to go in with the same side. Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite will be itching to contribute after failures in both the innings of the first Test. With the series on the line, it is unlikely that the hosts will tinker with their side.

Predicted Playing XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (C), John Campbell, Nkrumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers, Jermaine Blackwood, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva (WK), Rakheem Cornwall, Alzaari Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel

Sri Lanka

The only possible change that Sri Lanka might ponder is the inclusion of Wanindu Hasaranga. The leg spinner was impressive in the T20I series and picked up 8 wickets at an average of 5.25. Other than that, Sri Lanka too is expected to stick to the same side that took the field in the first Test.

Predicted Playing XI: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Lahiru Thirimanne, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera/Waninhu Hasaranga, Lasith Embuldeniya, Vishwa Fernando

West Indies vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head

Played –21 | West Indies –4 | Sri Lanka – 9 | Draw –8

West Indies vs Sri Lanka Broadcast Details

Match Timings: 7:30 PM (IST)

Live Streaming: FanCode