Sri Lanka vs. West Indies: ICC World Cup Match 39 Preview

Sri Lanka vs. West Indies: ICC World Cup Match 39 Preview

Sri Lanka and West Indies will face off in the 39th match during the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup in Chester-le-Street on Monday. Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street will be used as the venue for the contest, which will be hosting its 18th ODI on Monday. Highest team score in a 50-over contest at the ground of 314-4 was registered by England in the match against Australia in 2018, whereas lowest team total of 99 was also registered by the home side in 2014 while playing against Sri Lanka. Highest individual score of 126 not out was registered by Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene in 2006, whereas best bowling figures of 5-28 was registered by England's Graeme Swann in 2009.

The game is another do-or-die encounter for the Islanders who need a win in order to have any chance of staying alive in the competition as they currently with just six points from seven matches and face a steep climb in NRR. In the batting department, the team will be relying on the likes of captain Dimuth Karunaratne, wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera and experienced Angelo Mathews to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on pacers Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal and Lasith Malinga to produce timely breakthroughs.

On the other hand, for West Indies, the game is all about playing for pride as they are not in the running any more to qualify for the semi-finals, with just three points

Sri Lanka and West Indies will face off in the 39th match during the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup in Chester-le-Street on Monday. Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street will be used as the venue for the contest, which will be hosting its 18th ODI on Monday. Highest team score in a 50-over contest at the ground of 314-4 was registered by England in the match against Australia in 2018, whereas lowest team total of 99 was also registered by the home side in 2014 while playing against Sri Lanka. Highest individual score of 126 not out was registered by Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene in 2006, whereas best bowling figures of 5-28 was registered by England's Graeme Swann in 2009.

The game is another do-or-die encounter for the Islanders who need a win in order to have any chance of staying alive in the competition as they currently with just six points from seven matches and face a steep climb in NRR. In the batting department, the team will be relying on the likes of captain Dimuth Karunaratne, wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera and experienced Angelo Mathews to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on pacers Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal and Lasith Malinga to produce timely breakthroughs.

On the other hand, for West Indies, the game is all about playing for pride as they are not in the running any more to qualify for the semi-finals, with just three points from seven matches. In the batting department, the team will be relying on the likes of veteran opener Chris Gayle, wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope, young Nicholas Pooran and exciting Shimron Hetmyer to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on pacers which include captain Jason Holder, Kemar Roach and Sheldon Cottrell to provide timely breakthroughs.

Player Recommendations:

Batsman: Angelo Mathews (9 Cr)

Angelo Mathews is the most experienced batsman in the current Sri Lanka squad. The 32-year-old has represented the Islanders in 209 ODIs, where he has scored 5,486 runs at an impressive average of 41.56 and at a strike-rate of 82.78.

Wicketkeeper: Shai Hope (9.5 Cr)

Shai Hope is one of the most in-form wicketkeeper-batsman in the 50-over format. The 25-year-old has represented West Indies in 61 ODIs, where he has scored 2,439 runs at an impressive average of 48.78 and with a strike-rate of 75.53, which included six centuries and 12 half-centuries.

All-rounder: Jason Holder (9.5 Cr)

Jason Holder is now an established all-rounder across all formats. The 27-year-old has represented West Indies in 102 ODIs, where he has scored 1,673 runs at an average of 25.73, taking 127 wickets to his name at a strike-rate of 37.

Bowler: Lasith Malinga (9.5 Cr)

Lasith Malinga is one of the best fast-bowlers of the last decade in white-ball cricket. The 35-year-old has represented Sri Lanka in 223 ODIs, where he has 331 wickets to his name at an impressive strike-rate of 32.50.

Predicted Playing XI:

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Perera (wicketkeeper), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Milinda Siriwardana

West Indies: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wicketkeeper), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (captain), Carlos Brathwaite, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Azeem Siddiqui
Passionate sports follower in the field of sports journalism for more than five years. Loves writing about cricket, football, and tennis.
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