West Indies vs Sri Lanka – 2nd Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is West Indies vs Sri Lanka taking place? Monday, March 29th, 2021 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is West Indies vs Sri Lanka taking place? Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua
What is the expected weather for West Indies vs Sri Lanka? 28c with sunshine and cloudy intervals forecast over the five days
What channel is West Indies vs Sri Lanka on? The match will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream West Indies vs Sri Lanka? The match can be streamed live the BT Sport app and website
LAST MEETING
Match drawn
THE TEAM NEWS
WEST INDIES
- West Indies had to be content with a draw in the opening Test of this two-game series but they will have been disappointed with their bowling performance in the third innings when after leading Sri Lanka by 102 runs after first innings.
- After the likes of Kyle Mayers have been stealing the headlines in recent games, it was Nkrumah Bonner’s turn as he hit an unbeaten century in the fourth innings to guide them to a comfortable draw albeit on a batting-friendly pitch.
- The batting is settled and no changes are anticipated in that department but they may consider bring spinner Jomel Warrican back into the side at the expense of Shannon Gabriel who was ineffective in the first Test.
SRI LANKA
- Sri Lanka showed great character in the first Test as they battled away despite being bowled out for just 169 in the first innings and that total of 476 in the second innings will give them plenty of confidence coming into this game.
- 22-year-old Pathum Nissanka was the star of the show on his debut hitting a superb century and his form will give them a major boost with their batting line-up looking much stronger for his emergence.
- It will be interesting to see if they make any changes for this final Test and it is their pace bowling attack that could come in for some rotation but there is every chance that they name the same eleven at the same venue.
THE PREDICTION
These two teams played out the fourth draw in the ninth Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua in what was a pretty unresponsive pitch in the first Test so it will be interesting to see how this pitch is prepared for this game. History at this stadium suggests draws are common even if it is a small sample size and it cannot be discounted here once again. The weather looks fine so we expect to have full play on all five days but the bowlers will have to do much better than they did in the first game. While the pitch offered little from day three onwards, the Windies bowlers especially were poor and lacked inspiration. They should come out firing here and they will likely want to put the tourists into bat and try expose them early so it will be interesting to see who wins the toss. They have to be marginally favoured to edge this if their bowlers do significantly improve but all three outcomes are very possible in this Test. The value may in fact lie in the draw with opportunities to cash out quite possible.
