Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st ODI Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

With two teams as unpredictable and evenly poised as these, it will be impossible to be completely sure of a victory until at least the latter stages of tomorrow’s match. The only thing we can say with some assurance is that it will be a hard-fought contest that fans of Sri Lanka and West Indies will get to witness at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo tomorrow. Given the traditionally inconsistent form of West Indies’ mercurial ODI side and Sri Lanka’s struggling post-legends squad, both sides will have points to prove - especially since they are idling miserably in 8th and 9th place in the ICC ODI rankings.

Sri Lanka Team News & Form

With memories of a miserable World Cup outing now fading, Sri Lanka have since whitewashed a seemingly damn care Bangladesh but also gotten beaten convincingly by Pakistan. The glory days of the old legends Sangakkara-Malinga-Jayawardene have all but disappeared in the rearview mirror, and the new squad of aspirants seems to be lacking the same resolve or hunger.

With no Gunathilaka and no Thirimanne, Sri Lanka’s batting is dependent on the likes of Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando, and perhaps explosive knocks from T20 mainstay Thisara Perera and veteran Angelo Mathews. With the SSC being a traditionally low-scoring ground, bowlers, especially spinners such as the aforementioned Mathews as well as Wanindu Hasaranga will need to be absolutely on point.

West Indies Team News & Form

The Windies have always had plenty of talent, but post-1979 their problem has been a perennial lack of consistency. Despite having great lineups on paper, the side has consistently failed to win major silverware in the 50-over format since their dominance of the first two World Cups. They, too, had a disappointing World Cup, and since then have lost two ODI series’ versus India, and only beaten Afghanistan and Ireland.

The absence of Hetmyer and Lewis will be sorely felt, as the duo are critical to the West Indies batting lineup. It will be up to Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, and Sunil Ambris to hold the batting fort while Sheldon Cottrell, Keemo Paul, Fabian Allen, and Hayden Walsh to work their magic with the ball.

Head-To-Head Stats: West Indies vs Sri Lanka

West Indies and Sri Lanka have one of the most even records in cricket, with 28 wins for the Caribbean side, 26 for the Lions, 3 no results and no ties. That being said, Sri Lanka have had a surprisingly strong decade against the Windies, with the last time the latter winning a series being all the way back in 2008. 

Sri Lanka vs West Indies Prediction and Betting Tips

Given the pitch, whoever wins the toss will probably want to field first.

For the Lions, expect the spinners - especially Jayasuriya, Hasaranga, and Sandakan - to strike well and keep the run rate low. Thisara Perera, Angelo Perera, and Dickwella should do well with the bat.

The Caribs should focus on spin, but given their history, will probably still focus on pace. Expect Hope, Pollard, and Pooran to hit big, and Cottrell and Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, and any other spinners to bowl well.

Who will win the 1st ODI?

Match Prediction: Sri Lanka To Win (1.66 @ 1XBET)

Other Betting Tips:

• Toss - Sri Lanka
• SL top batsman – A Perera 
• WI top batsman – S Hope
• Players to score a century - A Perera (SL), S Hope (WI)
• Players to score a fifty – A Perera/N Dickwella (SL), S Hope, N Pooran (WI) 
• Players to take most wickets - W Hasaranga  (SL), H Walsh(WI) 
• Most boundaries - WI

Will Sri Lanka get a much-needed win over their visitors? Or will West Indies transfer their T20 prowess into this ODI and come out on top? Find out tomorrow!