Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st ODI Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News and Predictions – 22/2/2020
The West Indies have not been to Sri Lanka for a bilateral ODI series in five years, but will end that hiatus on Saturday with the first of three matches. They played each other in last year’s World Cup, when Sri Lanka won on the back of a century from Aviskha Fernando.
They will be back at it again this month and we will keep you updated throughout the series with free cricket betting tips, Sri Lanka vs West Indies predictions, team news and all the other information you need for a stronger cricket betting experience.
Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st ODI – Match Preview
Where: Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo
When: Saturday, 22 February 2020
Pitch conditions: The last 10 completed ODIs at this ground have seen the team batting first win, suggesting opting to bowl after winning the toss won’t likely happen in this series opener. This ground has produced only one 300-plus total in an ODI contested between top-flight nations.
Weather conditions: Typically hot and humid conditions await Sri Lanka and West Indies on Sunday, but with a 60 percent chance of rain. Seasonal, passing showers shouldn’t interfere for too long, though. The ground has decent drainage and a temperature high of 31 degrees Celsius will help dry up the rain if or when required.
Start Time: 10:00 (IST), 4:30 (GMT)
Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st ODI – Latest Odds
Sri Lanka and West Indies are priced at 1.72 and 2.10, respectively, by bet365 to win the first ODI in Colombo. They’ve got some particularly interesting batsman matches (most runs) markets, too, including Shai Hope scoring more runs than Darren Bravo at 1.66 and other inter-team rivalries.
Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st ODI – Team News
Sri Lanka cut a provisional 20-man squad down to 15 before the start of the series, with fast bowler Lasith Malinga among the casualties. Opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne is captain again, while all-rounder Thisara Perera will play international cricket for the first time since the middle of last year.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella is in the squad, but won’t play the first ODI due to dengue fever. The multi-talented Kusal Perera will likely play wicketkeeeper in Dickwella’s absence. Batsmen Danushka Gunathilaka and Oshada Fernando are absent due to injury.
The West Indian national team will be without batsmen Evin Lewis and Shimon Hetmyer. They failed fitness Tests. The veteran Darren Bravo has been recalled, as has all-rounder Rovman Powell. Both have been in fine form in West Indian domestic cricket.
Captain Kieron Pollard’s priorities will be with the West Indies until he jets off to the Pakistan Super League, while spinning all-rounder Roston Chase will likely play key roles with bat and ball. Fellow slow bowler Fabian Allen, having recovered from a knee injury, should partner Chase through those middle overs.
Sri Lanka vs West Indies ODI Squads
| Sri Lanka |
West Indies |
| Dimuth Karunaratne (captain) |
Kieron Pollard (captain) |
| Lakshan Sandakan |
Hayden Walsh Jr. |
| Kusal Perera |
Sunil Ambris |
| Avishka Fernando |
Darren Bravo |
| Nuwan Pradeep |
Roston Chase |
| Lahiru Kumara |
Sheldon Cottrell |
| Angelo Mathews |
Jason Holder |
| Dhananjaya de Silva |
Shai Hope |
| Kusal Mendis |
Alzarri Joseph |
| Dasun Shanaka |
Brandon King |
| Thisara Perera |
Keemo Paul |
| Niroshan Dickwella |
Fabian Allen |
| Wanindu Hasaranga |
Nicholas Pooran |
| Isuru Udana |
Rovman Powell |
| Shehan Jayasuriya |
Romario Shepherd |
Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st ODI – Betting Tips and Prediction
Not all online cricket betting websites offer batsman matches (most runs), but bet365 have several for this fixture. If not Hope vs Bravo, you might be interested in these free cricket betting tips for Sri Lanka vs West Indies.
Shai Hope (vs Dimuth Karunaratne)
In this head-to-head battle of the opening batsman, bet365 have Hope priced at 1.66 to score more runs than Karunaratne, who might be limited by the addition of the captaincy again. Hope is a free-flowing batsman, while Karunaratne is a grafter. It’ll be interesting to see how their contrasting styles play out in sub-continental conditions.
LBW for the 1st wicket method
Bowled and caught are offered at 5.50 and 1.44, respectively, to be the opening means of dismissal in this first ODI regardless of which team bats first. LBW at 6.50 is a good shout, too, especially in conditions that will all but demand bowlers bowl straight lines, wicket to wicket, through the opening overs. Width will likely see the ball travel a lot. If either team opens with a spinner, stumped at 23.00 offers longer odds for the first wicket method in Colombo.
Best Bet: Hope to score more runs than Karunartne at 1.66 with bet365
February 22, 2020 
04:30 
