(Cricket news) The West Indies tour of Sri Lanka is set to begin from tomorrow as the audience will shift their focus from hard hitting to hard defense and to whites. After early exits from the World Cup, both the teams will now look to end the year with a series win and both the matches will be played at Galle. Sri Lanka will be the favourites as they are the hosts, the visitors have players in form who can take it away from the Lankans.
West Indies have a balanced line up as their top batters and bowlers are present in the squad. Kemar Roach will be the leading pacer, he is the 8th highest wicket taker for the side in Test matches and has 27 wickets this year which is the most for the team. Jason Holder will also play a major part as he has taken 21 wickets this season, Rahkeem Cornwall will be leading the spin attack as he can be a vital lower order batter.
Among the batters, this season’s leading run scorer and captain Kraigg Brathwaite will look to cross the 600 run mark this season as he needs 44 more runs and can pose a threat at Galle. Kyle Mayers has proved himself to be a reliable batter as he has scored 553 runs just three runs below from the captain. Most of the Windies players made their debuts this year, they have been playing well and can gain a lot of experience as they face a tough Sri Lankan side. But the visitors are in form even though they are young and new.
Sri Lanka has a strong batting lineup as compared to their bowlers. Lahiru Thirimanne who is the leading run scorer for the side this season has opted himself out as captain Dimuth Karunaratne will be leading among the batters. Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka were in form during the ICC T20 World Cup and will hope to bring their form. Angelo Mathews will be an influential all rounder to the side as with his experience he can bring a change to the team’s outlook.
Among the bowlers for the Lankan team, spinner Lasith Embuldeniya has taken 19 wickets in 4 matches and pacer Suranga Lakmal has taken 16 in 5 matches. Lahiru Kumara can bring in his pace and swing to trouble the batters but has only played one match this season, Praveen Jayawickrama made a match winning debut as the spinner took 11 wickets in the match against Bangladesh but has not played a match since then. Jayawickrama is the only spinner to take two five wicket hauls for the side this season and both came in that match.
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