WEST INDIES TOUR OF SRI LANKA 2020

Is the best of West Indies' power yet to be unleash?

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on Fri, Mar 6, 2020, 10:18 AM

Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard put on an exhibition of their power show in the first T20I © AFP

There could have been vapour trails left over in Pallekele from some of Andre Russell's blistering strikes, or Oshane Thomas's crackerjack bouncers. Maybe there were.

But even as West Indies went about making a bonfire of their 0-3 ODI whitewash, their full force wasn't on display in the first T20I. Dwayne Bravo, returning from retirement, didn't get a chance to bat. Nor did Shimron Hetmyer. And even Fabian Allen - who nearly won them the final ODI three days back with his power-hitting - faced just three balls. It speaks of the firepower they possess once again following a disappointing 2019, where they lost a lot more than they won. But with Russell, Bravo and Lendl Simmons returning, their aura can't be too far behind leading into the T20 World Cup that they'll enter as defending champions.

Sri Lanka, on their part, did well to run them close through Kusal Perera and Wanindu Hasaranga. Interestingly, coach Mickey Arthur has counted Hasaranga among the top 10 'most valuable' players in the world right now. The leg-spinning all-rounder, who was Man of the Series in the ODIs, is definitely one of the ones to watch out for given how West Indies have struggled to pick his variations.

But Sri Lanka will need a lot more from their batsmen who've been dismantled at the top in their previous two games. They collapsed to 26/4 against India a couple of months back, before crumbling against the speed of Thomas and losing their first five wickets for 56. They're not expected to match the power game of West Indies. That would be impossible. But at least they need to do enough to keep their bowlers in the game. Tomorrow is the final chance for them to showcase any improvements in what is oddly only a two-match series.

When: Sri Lanka vs West Indies, 2nd T20I, March 6, 7pm local

Where: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

What to expect: Another similar pitch which should enable shot-making while also giving the bowlers something to work with in terms of bounce. Rain in the evening is a possibility.

Team news

Sri Lanka: The hosts might be looking at ways to fix their batting, although there's little they can do in terms of personnel other than bringing in Niroshan Dickwella.

Probable XI:Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis, Shehan Jayasuriya/Niroshan Dickwella, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga (c), Lakshan Sandakan

West Indies: The visitors will look at the batting positions of their power-hitters more than anything else. Bowling wise, they'd gone in with an all-seam attack in the first T20I. They're unlikely to change that, but have Hayden Walsh waiting should they want to vary it up.

Probable XI: Lendl Simmons, Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Oshane Thomas, Sheldon Cottrell

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Sri Lanka West Indies West Indies tour of Sri Lanka, 2020 West Indies tour of Sri Lanka, 2020, 2nd T20I

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Is the best of West Indies' power yet to be unleash?

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