Sri Lanka look to their bowlers against big-hitting West Indies

Big picture – West Indies the runaway favourites

We are more than a week into this tour, and it feels like it’s barely begun. The first ODI went off without too much of a hitch, but the next two were washed out without a ball bowled, Kingston rains crashing the party. Unfortunately, the threat of rain hangs over this opening T20I too – with thunderstorms threatening on Thursday afternoon, which could affect the viability of the Sabina Park outfield later in the day (8.30pm local time is the start).

Unlike with ODIs, this is a format in which one of these teams is the favourite. West Indies were one victory away from knocking India out of their own home World Cup, while Sri Lanka spent much of the Super Eight in the recent global tournament fighting merely to prove they belonged. In India, West Indies showed their six-hitting strategy could still make waves. On top of which they have a much more successful franchise T20 product in the CPL than Sri Lanka has had with the LPL. Over many seasons, these sorts of advantages add up.

Form guide

West Indies LLWWW (last five completed games, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLLLW

In the spotlight: Shimron Hetmyer and Wanindu Hasaranga

Shimron Hetmyer had a pretty abysmal IPL with Rajasthan Royals, hitting only 78 for them from his seven innings. This is strange, because in the T20 World Cup preceding the IPL, he had crashed 248 runs at a strike rate of 186, and was legitimately the batting star in the West Indies line-up as they threatened to make a deep run in the tournament. He had not been selected in the only ODI West Indies played against Sri Lanka, but coach Darren Sammy and Co. would be hoping he rediscovers some of his World Cup form in this series.

Wanindu Hasaranga remains one of Sri Lanka’s most prized white ball assets. But over the years, as the franchise contracts have piled up, so have the kilograms, and as a consequence, the injuries. He’s one of the few top spinners in the world, for example, who has recurring hamstring complaints. His bowling record in the West Indies is genuinely spectacular, though, but perhaps it’s getting to the stage of his career when he is required to produce the kinds of performances that remind fans – and selectors – what makes him a special white ball cricketer.

Team news

West Indies may revert to their preferred World Cup XI to get some momentum into this tour.

West Indies (possible): 1 Shai Hope (capt, wk), 2 Roston Chase, 3 Shimron Hetmyer, 4 Sherfane Rutherford, 5 Rovman Powell, 6 Jason Holder, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Matthew Forde, 9 Gudakesh Motie, 10 Akeal Hosein 11 Shamar Joseph

Sri Lanka may continue to trial Kamindu Mendis at the top of the order. Fast bowler Eshan Malinga is likely to get into the XI after a good IPL. Dasun Shanaka will probably reclaim a spot in the lower-middle order as well. The state of the surface may also determine whether they play a spin-bowling allrounder (likely Dunith Wellalage) or a seam-bowling allrounder (Milan Rathnayake).

Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kamindu Mendis, 3 Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), 4 Pavan Rathnayake, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Dunith Wellalage/Milan Rathnayake, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Eshan Malinga, 11 Nuwan Thushara

Pitch and conditions

There’s no real telling how the Sabina Park track will behave after so much time under covers. But the forecast for the evening is better than for the afternoon. With luck, the rains will have passed over, and the ground can be in good condition by the time this match is due to begin.

Stats and trivia

• After four bowling innings in the Caribbean, Hasaranga has ten wickets and a staggering economy rate of 4.18.
• As with the ODIs, the T20I record between these teams is pretty even. Since 2020, West Indies have won five and lost four of their nine matches against Sri Lanka, though Sri Lanka have won two of the last three.
• These teams have never previously played a T20I in Jamaica.