Cricket Free Tips | Sri Lanka vs West Indies, 2021: 1st Test

The 1st Test match played between Sri Lanka and West Indies will be held at the Galle International Stadium. The match will be kicked off on 21st November (Sunday) at 10:30 (GMT+6).     

The 2-match Test series between these two teams will be part of the World Test Championship. Dimuth Karunaratne will lead the hosts. The squad is made up of a decent balance of experienced and young players. Charith Asalanka, a 24-year-old all-rounder who has impressed with his stroke play in recent months, has been named in the Test squad. Angelo Mathews has also returned to the team. Sri Lanka has a strong Test record at home, and they will be eager to extend that against the West Indies.

Meanwhile, the West Indies would hope to start their World Test Championship 2023 cycle on a positive note. Kraigg Brathwaite has been entrusted with the task of leading the team.

After performing in the domestic circuit, Jeremy Solozano has earned his first national call-up. Jason Holder,  Kemar Roach, and Shai Hope would be happy to lend their experience to the team’s success.

Weather
On Sunday, Galle’s temperature is forecast to be between 24 and 29 degrees celsius. Rain is expected to fall heavily over the last two days, thus the Test match may be disrupted by rain.

Pitch
The Galle International Stadium has a well-balanced pitch. The new ball glides easily onto the bat, allowing batters to play their strokes freely once they’ve been set. As the match progresses, the pitch is likely to slow down, which would help spinners.  

Probable Playing XIs

Sri Lanka:
Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Lasith Embuldeniya, Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Ramesh Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushmantha Chameera/Lahiru Kumara, Charith Asalanka, and Suranga Lakmal.

West Indies:
Jason Holder, Roston Chase, Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Shai Hope, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua de Silva, Kyle Mayers, Nkrumah Bonner,Jermaine Blackwood, Shannon Gabriel, and Kemar Roach.

Sri Lanka vs West Indies – 1st Test, Dream 11:
Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Jason Holder (VC), Shai Hope, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jermaine Blackwood, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kemar Roach, Dushmantha Chameera, and Lasith Embuldeniya.

Prediction

Match winner

• Sri Lanka

Winning the toss

• Sri Lanka

Top Batsman

• Sri Lanka – Dimuth Karunaratne
• West Indies – Kraigg Brathwaite

Top Bowler

• Sri Lanka – Dushmantha Chameera
• West Indies –  Jason Holder 

Most Sixes 

• Sri Lanka – Dhananjaya de Silva
• West Indies – Jermaine Blackwood

Player of the Match

• Sri Lanka – Dushmantha Chameera

Team Scores Batting First 

• Sri Lanka – 330+
• West Indies – 300+  

Both West Indies and Sri Lanka will be eager to get the Test series off to a good start. Both teams have match-winners in their ranks, so the next five days should be filled with exciting bat-and-ball action. According to our cricket expert’s predictions, Sri Lanka will be the winner of this match. Back the team now on Baji!