West Indies will take on Sri Lanka in the 5th match of the Celkon Mobile Cup Tri-series 2013. The match will be played at Queens Park Oval, Port of Spain on Sunday.
Overview:
The matches in the ongoing Tri-series have been so one-sided except India-West Indies' first encounter that it has become difficult to predict the result of a game. The results can swing in favour of any team.
West Indies come into the contest after conceding a humiliating defeat to India. However, they are still on top of the table with nine points after beating India and Sri Lanka earlier. They need to win on Sunday to ensure a place in the final as they can still be eliminated from the contest if India and Sri Lanka win the next two games with good margin.
Sri Lanka come into the contest after beating India by 161 runs. They have five points on the table from two games. With good net run rate to their advantage, they will qualify for the final if they win on Sunday. Having lost to West Indies by six wickets in the opener, they will be keen to take revenge.
Previous Meetings:
West Indies have 27-20 win-loss record against Sri Lanka in their 50 meetings which include three no results. West Indies beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in their earlier encounter this series.
Team News:
West Indies: Giving a big blow to the team, skipper Dwayne Bravo, who scored a half century in an earlier game, will miss the crucial contest against Sri Lanka after being suspended for one match owing to a slow over-rate in the earlier match.
Johnson Charles is in good form, scoring 45 after a knock of 97. Chris Gayle scored a superb century in the opening game but failed with the bat in the following two games. They have Marlon Samuels, Kieron Pollard and Devon Smith in the batting line-up but the poor performance in the previous match against India will be a cause of worry.
Sunil Narine took four wickets in the first match but failed in the next two games. Tino Best has four wickets and Kemar Roach has four to their credit in the series.
Sri Lanka: Openers Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene scored a century each in the previous match against India. They will be expected to deliver a similar performance on Sunday. Skipper Angelo Mathews and Jayawardene had scored half centuries each in the opener. They also have Dinesh Chandimal, Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne in the batting line-up.
On the bowling front, they have Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Nuwan Kulasekara and Lasith Malinga. Herath took three wickets in the previous game while Senanayake and Malinga took two wickets apiece. They will be expected to take early wickets on Sunday and restrict the score of the opponents.
Prediction:
The confidence of Sri Lankan team must have been boosted by the convincing win over India in the previous match but West Indies are still the favourites to win on Sunday as the have home ground advantage.
Squads:
West Indies: Kieron Pollard (captain), Chris Gayle, Johnson Charles, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Devon Smith, Darren Sammy, Jason Holder, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Sunil Narine, Tino Best, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach
Sri Lankan: Angelo Mathews (captain), Dinesh Chandimal (vice-captain), Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake and Ajantha Mendis.
Where to Watch Live:
The game will begin at 07:00 PM IST (Sunday, 5 July) and it will be broadcast live in India on Ten Sports, Ten Cricket and Ten HD.
