Sri Lanka vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Hambantota: Preview, likely XI, prediction

What a thriller the first ODI of this short series was. Sri Lanka sneaked it eventually, but there were a few instances in the match in which West Indies looked favourites to take the lead. Eventually, it came down to the last over, and Sri Lanka secured the chase for a one-wicket victory. It makes this second ODI, in Hambantota on Wednesday, quite a prospect.

Plenty of eyes will be on Wanindu Hasaranga. With Sri Lanka needed 28 runs off the last 27 balls, with only two wickets in hand and pressure mounting, it was Hasaranga who displayed immense cool to take control of the chase and see things through. Hasaranga ended with a 39-ball 42*, having played a steady hand earlier, to push Sri Lanka to the target.

However, as good as Sri Lanka were under pressure to see the game through, West Indies will know they were in with more than a chance. As far as the batting went, West Indies had little to worry about – Shai Hope was in good form, scoring 115 to set up the innings, but it’s the bowling that will concern him. Kieron Pollard, their captain, lamented the bowling, and in particular, the 26 extras they conceded that in the end proved too costly.

“In international cricket you’ve got to be consistent,” he said. “And 14 wides in an international game – that’s two overs and a bit of extra runs and extra deliveries. We gave Sri Lanka 52 overs to chase the target. Even in the practice games we were pretty high on the extras. Our discipline was off, and hopefully the guys can take a look at that and have a better showing come the next game.”

If West Indies can fix that issue, this will once again be another thriller.

Head to head

This has always been an evenly-matched rivalry. In 58 ODIs, West Indies have won 28 matches, while Sri Lanka’s victory in the first ODI was their 27th. Sri Lanka have, however, been stellar at home, with 10 victories in 15 matches against West Indies, and it remains to be seen how the next clash will go.

Key players

Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): Hasaranga has come under some big praise from coach Mickey Arthur, and not just for his batting. He was one of the more economical Sri Lanka bowlers in the first ODI, and add that to his evident quality with the bat, Sri Lanka have quite a player.

Shai Hope (West Indies): With West Indies’ bowlers not giving a good account of themselves, the onus will be on the batsmen to push the side to victory. Shai Hope excelled in the first ODI, scoring a century at the top, but he will have to do it all over again to ensure West Indies stay in with a chance of drawing level in the series.

Likely XIs

Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Thisara Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep

West Indies: Shai Hope (wk), Sunil Ambris, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (c), Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Hayden Walsh, Alzarri Joseph, Sheldon Cottrell

Prediction Sri Lanka to make it 2-0.