Sri Lanka vs West Indies 3rd ODI, Pallekele: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

With wins at the SSC and Hambantota, Sri Lanka have taken a 2-0 lead in the 3-match ODI series against West Indies. They will now eye a whitewash when they take field for the final ODI, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

After a hard-fought 1-wicket win in the first ODI, Sri Lanka blew West Indies away in the second. Avishka Fernando (127) and Kusal Mendis (119) added 239 for the third wicket after Sheldon Cottrell (4/67) reduced them to 9/2. Thisara Perera (36 in 25 balls) then took Sri Lanka to 345/8.

West Indies counterattacked in response, losing wickets steadily in the process. At 130/3 in the 28th over (Shai Hope 51) they still had an outside chance – however narrow – before they lost 7 for 54 in 67 balls to concede the match. Dhananjaya de Silva took 3/30 and Wanindu Hasaranga 3/57.

Given how the series has progressed, Sri Lanka will take field as favourites yet again.

Head to head

The two wins have now taken the head-to-head equation between the sides to 28 apiece. Whoever wins here will nose ahead.

Key players

Avishka Fernando (Sri Lanka): Fernando had announced himself in the World Cup, and has been in decent nick since then. His 123-ball 127 in the second ODI demonstrated his ability to both rotate the strike and go after the ball.

Sheldon Cottrell (West Indies): Cottrell took 2 wickets with his first 9 balls in the second match. Despite going for runs, Cottrell was the only West Indian bowler to create an impact of any kind. He will assume responsibility again.

Likely XIs

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

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

Prediction

Sri Lanka to win and sweep the series 3-0.