Cricket Match Prediction | Sri Lanka vs West Indies | 1st ODI | Oct 20 – Can WI start the series with a win?

SL vs WI Match Analysis

On October 20, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. BDT, the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele will host the opening ODI match of a three-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and the West Indies. 

Sri Lanka finally showed up and put the West Indies under serious pressure. They looked like a completely different team when the pitch conditions played to their advantage, using spin to outclass the men in maroon. With that success, Sri Lanka will likely load their ODI lineup with spinners.

The West Indies must regroup quickly after their series defeat. They’ll need a significant mental reset to gear up for the challenging ODIs ahead. After dominating the first T20, they’ll be frustrated at not maintaining that momentum into the second and third matches.

SL vs WI Team Preview & Squads

Sri Lanka 

Sri Lanka will take great pride in their come-from-behind series victory, giving the players a huge confidence boost as they head into the ODI leg of the tour. Up top is the striking Pathum Nissanka, which provides stability. To keep the runs coming in early in the game, Kusal Mendis will come in at number three and Avishka Fernando will partner him. Consistent run scorer Sadeera Samarawickrama and skipper Charith Asalanka, who won the ODI series 2-0 against India in August, would be hoping to continue their domination at home for SL. 

The regular suspects, Hasaranga, Theekshana, and Vandersay, will take on the task of destroying the West Indies batsmen on the bowling front. Wellalage will be looking to help the bowling cause and claim the extra bowler spot in the side after his man-of-the-series exploits against India in August.

Sri Lanka Squads

Sri Lanka

Binura Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Chandimal, Pathum Nissanka, Dunith Wellalage, Asitha Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, and Nuwan Thushara.

West Indies

West Indies, having struggled against Sri Lanka’s spin in the last two T20s, now face the tough task of tackling an equally threatening spin attack on challenging pitches in a longer format—something that doesn’t look promising for them. Moreover, ODI cricket isn’t a format where West Indies are particularly confident about their chances.

With two centuries from ten matches—one of which occurred in Colombo four years ago—Shai Hope, the best ODI player for WI in recent years, has a strong record against Sri Lanka. Another seasoned member of the team, Evin Lewis, has not yet traveled to Sri Lanka in this format and will be looking to improve on his impressive record of 356 runs from 5 games, including 2 centuries.

Alzarri Joseph and Roston Chase, among others, should take the lead and teach the younger players how to play on these surfaces because their bowling roster isn’t particularly experienced and they’ll be fielding a side with several new players. 

West Indies Squads

West Indies

Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Jewel Andrew, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, and Hayden Walsh.

Sri Lanka vs West Indies outfield report

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

While the result of the toss has little bearing on this particular match, chasing teams have performed admirably in day-night matches, winning 9 of the 14 games in which a game was called off without a conclusion. The weather is looking nice, and there are no concerns raised by the game’s prognosis. For the past four years, this track has been mostly favorable for batting, with an average score between 260 and 310.

SL vs WI Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In every one of their five games, Sri Lanka won two and West Indies won three.

Sri Lanka vs West Indies Prediction

Cricket analysts predict Sri Lanka has a 68% chance of winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.