ICC World Cup 2019 Match 39, Sri Lanka v West Indies: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Two teams that have almost nothing to lose, who have shown moments of brilliance but haven’t been able to carry on, clash at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street on Monday, July 1 as Sri Lanka and the West Indies play a contest that may have implications on other teams’ campaigns as well. West Indies are out of contention for the semi-finals but Sri Lanka’s campaign is hanging by a thread – their fate is beyond their control.

Only two days ago Sri Lanka were thrashed by South Africa by nine wickets. The Lankans were bowled out for 205 as their batsmen failed to convert starts into sizeable totals and then the bowlers surrendered to the might of Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis.

The batsmen need to show better composure, especially the attacking ones – Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando and Thisara Perera – so that the run-grafters like Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews can play the anchor’s role. Their bowlers need to step up, too, as the West Indies batsmen are expected to come hard at them.

West Indies, on the other hand, will play for pride. With just one win under the belt, they need to finish better to do justice to their reputation – they have an array of powerful strikers and out-on-out fast bowlers that at their disposal.

Chris Gayle, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran should play without fear, and all-rounders Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite can explode at the death. With a pace battery comprising of Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas and Kemar Roach, the Sri Lankan batsmen must buckle up for some chin music.

If Sri Lanka win tomorrow, they will race ahead of Bangladesh and will draw level with Pakistan on 9 points. One more win in their last match, against India, and who knows if they find themselves playing in the final four. But if Sri Lanka lose, their campaign will be over.

Head to head

West Indies lead the head-to-head tally but only just. They have won 28 matches to Sri Lanka’s 25. West Indies also lead the World Cup tally 4-3. The last time the two sides met was in a tri series in Zimbabwe where Sri Lanka defended 330 runs but by only one run.

Key players

Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka): The attacking opening bat has shown only glimpses of what he is capable of in this World Cup and now would be a time better than any to play an impact innings at the top of the order that can carry Sri Lanka to a competitive total.

Chris Gayle (West Indies): The big man has flourished on occasions but hasn’t been as consistent as he would perhaps have liked to be. He may want to finish off his World Cup campaign with a century – he has not got any this tournament.

Likely XIs

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Perera (wk), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Jeevan Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Nuwaan Pradeep.

West Indies: Chris Gayle, Sunil Ambris, Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (c), Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas.

Prediction

Sri Lanka win their third game of the tournament and keep their tournament alive.