Big picture
It was over a year since Sri Lanka played ODIs, but nonetheless the script seemed so familiar to ODI on Wednesday. For a good chunk of the game, they looked confident – even the upper hand – when Dimuth Karunaratne and Danushka Gunathilaka sailed for half a century and apparently put them on the path for a total in the range of 300. The ensuing fall was fascinating. There were two runs, both very avoidable. Gunathilaka was unjustly handed out – oddly enough, realistically – blocking the field, when there was little evidence of deliberate obstruction. Experienced bats flew under the pressure put on them by the West Indies, and fell to a 22-year-old debater – Ashen Bandara – to honor the whole with a middle-class half-century.
To the extent that there is a form in pandemic cricket, the West Indies entered that first game with a worse form than Sri Lanka, but as comfortable as their first win, they must -now to enjoy their chances to seal the series on Friday. The attack, which at one time looked unprovoked, was motivated by the intensity of captain Kieron Pollard in his first spell, and once they had Sri Lanka with the collar, they refused to release the grip.
In terms of batting, Shai Hope’s hunger for an ODI run has been alleviated by the months-long hiatus. Perhaps even more importantly, they were able to play their tormentor from the T20s – Wanindu Hasaranga – without giving him a wicket. This was helped by a path that didn’t take much footwork, and since there was no pressure to put a score away from his bowling, so paltry was Sri Lanka’s target. But still – high-end bats have now found time in the middle against it.
Form instructions
(completed matches, most recent first)
West Indies: WLLLL
Sri Lanka: : LWWWL
In mind
Shai Hope may have done Shai Hope things, but it was almost as amazing Evin Lewisaway from his regular style, to play a pub that suits his team’s situation. Although Hope was fluent almost from the outset, hitting various pleasant boundaries outside, Lewis was almost stodgy in comparison, as would normally be expected to inspire in the powerhouse. Of the 90 balls he faced, 52 were dots. And of the 65 runs he made, only 28 came from boundaries, where the remaining 37 were from singles and twos – and scoring almost worried him. Don’t expect his big hit to go anywhere. But you probably know that when the team needs it, Lewis also has this low, safe gear.
While Hasaranga was playing it out safely, Chameera Dushmantha became a major threat for Sri Lanka’s wicket, beating both Lewis and Hope with raw pace as he launched them both, if it was a little too late in the game to a very bad effect bring it on. Although he played his first ODI for Sri Lanka as far back as the 2015 World Cup, Chameera’s career has been a difficult one so far, as injuries – including weight loss – have been reported. seen put off for months, as Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Jump Rajitha on the seam bowling list. He appears to be in excellent Caribbean rhythm, however, and has been the fastest bowler on tour so far. Sri Lanka are desperate to find wicket-bound catchers for the aftermath of Malinga. Could Chameera be such a consistent regular force?
Park and conditions
Just as on Wednesday, early morning showers are expected in the North Firth, but it should clear up in time for the game. The other pitch is probably batting friendly, if it’s a little more spendable than the first run, thanks to a game played on the square.
Team news
The West Indies have no reason to work with their XI, with almost all of their bowmen having entered, in the first game, and no one has gone. -do any baton for less than fifty.
West Indies (able): 1 Shai Hope (wk), 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Jason Mohammed, 5 Nicholas Pooran, 6 Kieron Pollard (capt.), 7 Jason Holder, 8 Romario Shepherd, 9 Fabian Allen, 10 Akeal Hosein , 11 Alzarri Joseph
Sri Lanka may be toying with leaving out Kamindu Mendis – who didn’t make much of an impact with ball and bat – for the experience of Thisara Perera. But then they might show a little more credibility in 22-year-old Mendis. Dasun Shanaka is still in quarantine, and not available. There could also be a temptation to bring Ramesh Mendis all over the place.
Sri Lanka (able): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne (capt.), 2 Danushka Gunathilaka, 3 Pathum Nissanka, 4 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Ashen Bandara, 7 Kamindu Mendis / Thisara Perera, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Lakshan Sandakan, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Nuwan Pradeep
Stats and trivia
- Forty of the 60 deliveries submitted by Wanindu Hasaranga on Wednesday were in dot balls. He surrendered 26 runs.
- Lewis never scored a fifty and slower than his 65 out of 90 on Wednesday.
- Wednesday was Chameera’s second ODI since 2019, and seventh since the start of 2018.
- Surprisingly, the West Indies have not won consecutive ODIs at home against a top-10 opposition from the way back in 2014, when they beat Bangladesh 3-0.
Andrew Fidel Fernando is a Sri Lankan journalist at ESPNcricinfo. @afidelf