Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st T20 Match Prediction and Betting Tips

With an ultimately one-sided ODI series behind them, the West Indies and Sri Lanka move on to the hottest format in contemporary cricket - T20 Internationals. Despite good efforts in two of the three matches, the visiting Windies couldn’t eke out a win, and Sri Lanka sealed an important series. A two-match T20 series - both to be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium - awaits them, so let’s have a look at their lineups and form to gauge what can be expected.

Sri Lanka Squad, Form, and Team News

Having only won one T20 series in the last calendar year, Sri Lanka will be intent on recovering their stats with a series victory now. With Gunathilaka and Thirimanne still missing, and Dhananjaya de Silva and Nuwan Pradeep also ruled out with injuries, the Lions will no doubt be undergunned, and will have to rely on some second-seed players to get the job done.

Announced Squad:
Lasith Malinga (c), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Janith Perera, Shehan Jayasuriya, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Asitha Fernando, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Isuru Udana, Lahiru Kumara.

West Indies Squad, Form, and Team News

A tied series against Ireland, and defeats to India (twice), Afghanistan, and England. The last year has been anything but kind to the T20 world champions. They will no doubt have to dig deep if they are to overcome a spirited Sri Lanka side, the brilliant Andre Russell has been brought in to help them do just that.

Announced Squad:
Kieron Pollard (c), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Kesrick Williams.

Head-to-Head T20 History

Although Sri Lanka dominate the head-to-head statistics with 6 wins to West Indies’ 3, the latter are the T20 world champions, and will not let things just slide. The Caribbean side inarguably has the greater potential firepower, but on Sri Lankan soil, local batsmen and bowlers will definitely have the advantage as far as conditions go. In the fielding department, however, one would be hard-pressed to find more athletic fielders than the Windies on a good day - although that might exactly be the point given the nature of the West Indies cricket team overall.

Sri Lanka vs West Indies Prediction and Betting Tips

For the home side, several of the team’s batsmen - especially Fernando and Mendis - showed good promise in the ODI series. In the bowling department, they will have plenty of help from veterans Mathews, Malinga, and Perera - especially since Malinga has the best T20 bowling figures at the Pallekele.

Undoubtedly dejected after their series loss, the Windies will be looking to make amends by asserting their dominance in the T20 series. Expect Hope and Russell to hit hard with the bat, while Cottrell and Pollard do the same with the ball.

Who will win the 1st T20?

Match Prediction: Sri Lanka To Win (2.00 @ 1XBET)

Other Betting Tips:

• Toss - Sri Lanka
• SL top batsman – A Fernando 
• WI top batsman – A Russell
• Players with most boundaries - A Fernando (SL), A Russell (WI)
• Players to score a fifty – A Fernando/T Perera (SL), S Hope/A Russell (WI) 
• Players to take most wickets - L Malinga  (SL), S Cottrell(WI) 
• Most fours - SL
• Most sixes - WI

Will the Sri Lankan Lions manage to maul the West Indies? Or will the cool Caribbeans take revenge for their ODI results? Find out starting Wednesday!