ICC World Cup 2019: Match 39, Sri Lanka vs Windies, Preview – Can Windies outmaneuver Lankans race to semis?

The downfall of the Windies in cricket and the Sri Lankan surge, all happened at one destination back in the 1996 World Cup. Sri Lanka managed to win the trophy against all the odds, beating some hot favourites like India and Australia on their way through. Windies, on the other hand, reached a World Cup semifinal for the final time in 50-overs World Cup. They dramatically lost in the semis to Australia, a game which they should’ve won.

While there has not been any significant growth in this format of the game for the Caribbean outlet, Sri Lanka reached the pinnacle in the first decade of the 21st century but they don’t find themselves relevant among the best right now. Their downfall has been staggering and disappointing, but they still have a shot at revival by winning their remaining two games.

Sri Lanka can now reach a maximum of 10 points, which might not be sufficient eventually but they definitely will be in contention for a place in the semifinal if a couple of results go their way. Jason Holder’s men got knocked out officially after a painful defeat against India and it will be interesting to see if they can keep their morale high.

Playing Combinations

Sri Lanka

Jeevan Mendis could be making way for Jeffrey Vandersay for this crucial fixture. The top order will remain unchanged and Avishka Fernando’s blazing starts in the last two games has given some confidence to their lineup. They need the likes of Dhananjaya de Silva and Thisara Perera to contribute a bit more with the bat. They will once again go with three pacers in Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep.

Probable XI

Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Kusal Perera (wk), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis/Jeffrey Vandersay, Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga.

Windies

Chris Gayle and Sunil Ambris will continue to open with Shai Hope coming in at number three. Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer on aggregate have scored 380 runs, both of them got starts but never got going. Ashley Nurse could also come in to replace Fabian Allen in the XI. No changes are expected in the fast bowling department constituting Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell and Oshane Thomas.

Probable XI

Chris Gayle, Sunil Ambris, Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Fabian Allen/Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas.

Focus will be on

Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka)

The only Lankan batsman apart from Avishka Fernando who looks competent enough for the tournament is Kusal Perera. After a brilliant knock against Afghanistan, he got a couple of good starts but just like most his teammates, he threw away some good opportunities. With the stakes higher than ever before, this is the game for Perera to prove his worth.

Chris Gayle (Windies)

The ball goes to him and the crowd goes mad, that is Chris Gayle in a nutshell. It is a sad fact that the Universe Boss is nearing the end of his career and this will be his penultimate game in an ICC tournament unless he decides to continue till the T20 World Cup next year. All eyes will once again be on him as he takes on the field at the Chester-le-Street.

Head to head

Matches played – 56 | Sri Lanka won – 25 | Windies won – 28 | No result – 3

Stat Attack

20.18 – Lasith Malinga’s bowling average against Windies in ODIs. His second best against a top-10 side, his best is against Bangladesh (17.04).

Broadcast Details

TV – Star Sports

Live streaming– Hotstar

Match Timings – 15:00 IST; 10:30 local.