The West Indies are led by Kieron Pollard in a side that also includes Jason Tiller with the recent T20I captain
Tilg Sri Lanka choose to bat against it West Indies
On a cloudy morning with little rain in the air, Sri Lanka have won the toss and decided to bat first. In the first of three ODIs, visiting captain Dimuth Karunaratne said his side were “confident”. Sri Lanka will be joined by two fast bowlers in Nuwan Pradeep and Dushmantha Chameera, with Karunaratne opening with Danushka Gunathilaka.
The West Indies will be led by Kieron Pollard in a side that also includes Jason Holder and Jason Mohammed, a recent T20I captain, who led the side in the Test series against Bangladesh recently. Keeper Shai Hope opens the baton with Evin Lewis, while left-back Akeal Hosein holds his place from that trip in Bangladesh.
“This longer shape allows you to bat a little longer and see what counter-spinning bowlers are doing rather than being a little fat,” Pollard said at the throw. “I’m the oldest boy in the team now. Shai has been brilliant in the last few years and hopes to get Darren Bravo among the runs. “
Sri Lanka: 1 Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), 2 Danushka Gunathilaka, 3 Pathum Nissanka, 4 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Ashen Bandara, 7 Kamindu Mendis, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Lakshan Sandakan 11 Nuwan Pradeep
West Indies: 1 Shai Hope (wk), 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Jason Mohammed, 4 Darren Bravo, 5 Nicholas Pooran, 6 Kieron Pollard (capt), 7 Jason Holder, 8 Fabian Allen 9 Romario Shepherd 10 Alzarri Joseph 11 Akeal Hosein
Danyal Rasool is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @ Danny61000