Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st T20I – 4/3/2020

Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st T20I Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News and Predictions – 4/3/2020

With the three ODIs out the way, Sri Lanka and the West Indies now head into a two-T20I series. The first will be played on Wednesday, when both teams will continue their preparations for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.

The latest T20 odds have Sri Lanka among the favourites to win this series, even if the Windies have are two-time T20 World Cup champions. It’s a short turnaround between the two T20Is, so the team that nails a win in the first one can set a precedent in the cricket betting for the final match.

We’ve got all the team news, some free betting tips and more for you, as Lasith Malinga, Andre Russell and several other T20 stars clash in Pallekele.

Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st T20I – Match Preview

Where: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

When: Wednesday, 4 March 2020

Start Time: 19:00 (IST), 13:30 (GMT)

Pitch conditions: This ground has hoted T20I cricket since 2011 and has frequently provided a good contest between bat and ball. There has been no definitive trend to suggest the team who bats or bowls first will win the match. The last six T20Is here, in fact, have produced three of each. Sri Lanka have only won one of their last four T20Is here. The West Indies have not a T20I here in their last three attempts.

Weather conditions: Rain on Monday will likely limit over-preparation of the pitch, which should then keep the bowlers in the game. Conditions will dry up in the 48 hours prior to the match, with a high of 35 degrees Celsius anticipated on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st T20I – Latest Odds

The latest odds for the first T20I between Sri Lanka vs West Indies have the hosts priced at 2.00 for victory. The men in maroon are offered at 1.80. Bet365’s top team batsman and top team bowlers have some attractive selections, while their ‘Player to Score Most Sixes’ is a must in a match lined with big-hitters.

Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st T20I – Team News

Sri Lanka will have to do without Nuwan Pradeep and Dhananjaya de Silva due to injuries.. Thankfully, then, the hosts already have fellow fast bowler Lasith Malinga – and a handy replacement in Asitha Fernando called up. Malinga will captain the XI, too, with ODI skipper Dimuth Karunratne not selected for these T20s. Sri Lanka might want to try find room for both all-rounders – Thisara Perera and Isuru Udana – in the XI for the series opener. Both are match-winners with the ball and bat. A specialist batsman and/or bowler could be overlooked to get the two in.

Oshane Thomas and Andre Russell are back for the West Indies, while the presence of Dwayne Bravo will yield plenty of experience. Kieron Pollard and Keemo Paul, too, have stuck around for the T20s before leaving for the Pakistan Super League. Paul is a really good seamer, with good variations that will likely be in high demand in the conditions expected in Kandy. Shimron Hetmyer has passed a fitness test and is back with the batting ranks, which have Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran again as well.

Sri Lanka vs West Indies T20I Squads

Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st T20I – Betting Tips and Prediction

This will be the first time Sri Lanka and the West Indies have contested T20 cricket in Sri Lanka since 2015. Five years since, the West Indies have more survivors from that series than the Sri Lankans do. The betting tips for this first T20I are not heavily in the hosts’ favour – and for good reason. While the preceding ODI series was one-sided, this T20I might not be as straightforward for cricket predictions.

Russell to hit the most sixes

From Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera and Isuru Udana to Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and Shimron Hetmyer, this fixture will be lined with men capable of clearing the ropes almost at will. Russell is obviously the frontrunner to do this among them – and is offered at 8.00 to hit the most sixes in the match. If the West Indies get him in nice and early, his chances of going bigger than the rest will increase. Pollard’s also in the same category at 8.00.

Bravo to be top performer with the ball

Dwayne Bravo has so much experience on the sub-continent, where his slower balls, cutters, quicker deliveries and other variations are key in conditions conducive to his art. Bravo is in the side as an all-rounder, but really it’s his role with the ball that’s going to count for plenty in this series, starting with the first T20I. He is priced at 4.33 to be the top bowler for the West Indies. If he gets things really right, he could take the Player of the Match award at 11.00.

Best Bet: Andre Russell to hit the most sixes at 8.00 with bet365