Sri Lanka vs West Indies Match Preview, 3rd ODI

Sri Lanka square off with the West Indies in the third and final ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on Saturday, October 26. The hosts have already pocketed the series after winning the first two games convincingly. The visitors will look to salvage some pride with a win on Saturday to end what has been a challenging white-ball tour for them.

Sri Lanka have looked liked a well-oiled machine in the series, as the batters as well as bowlers have come up with comprehensive performances. They defeated India in an ODI series in August, and the confidence they gained from that massive result has certainly given the players a lot of self-belief.

The Lankan Lions won the first ODI by five wickets as they chased down a revised target of 232 in just 31.5 overs with five wickets and 31 balls to spare. Meanwhile, the second ODI saw Charith Asalanka's men chasing down a 190-run target in 38.2 overs with five wickets left in the bank. This was a 44-over per side contest as rain played a part in both matches.

Wanindu Hasaranga has been the best bowler on show for the Sri Lankan side as he has picked up six wickets in two games at an average of 9.67. Meanwhile, Maheesh Theekshana came into the side in the second ODI and made an instant impact as he bagged three wickets in nine overs, conceding just 25 runs.

The batting department has been headlined by Asalanka, who has notched up scores of 77 (71) and 62* (61) in the two games, respectively. Apart from the captain, Nishan Madushka has looked in good touch as he has done a commendable job after replacing the injured Pathum Nissanka.

Shai Hope was quite critical of how his team had performed in the first two matches. He said that the batters need to show more positive intent with the bat as they have played a lot of dot balls against the Sri Lankan spinners. The wicketkeeper-batter also asked his spinners to take a leaf out of their counterparts. He noted that his spinners have bowled much quicker than Hasaranga and Co. and have not been able to put enough revs on the deliveries.

The silver lining for the Windies has been the form of Sherfane Rutherford, who has smashed half-centuries in both ODIs. He has hit 12 fours and seven sixes across his knocks of 74* (82) and 80 (82). Meanwhile, Gudakesh Motie has bowled well, having taken four wickets at an average of 16.25 and an economy rate of 3.82.

The top four batters for the West Indies will have to come to the party and set the platform for the hard-hitters in the middle and lower order. Hope will want his spinners to be more accurate so that he can set aggressive fields instead of trying to save runs.

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