West Indies v Sri Lanka 1st Test – 21/03/2021

WI v SL 1st Test – Cricket Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News, Predictions – 21/03/2021

The West Indies and Sri Lanka will end their full series with two Tests. This is the first – and could give you and idea of what should happen for the next one, too.

The Windies one the ODI and T20I leg of the tour. The Sri Lankans might be more convincing in the longer format, though. Explore our cricket betting tips and information about the best cricket betting sites.

West Indies v Sri Lanka 1st Test – Match Preview

The West Indies and Sri Lanka have only played against each other 20 times in Test cricket. The Sri Lankans have won nine of those and lost four. They have shared seven draws.

The last time they met in the Caribbean for Test match cricket, their three-match series ended in a draw. That was three years ago.

Where: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua

When: Sunday, 21 March 2021

Start time: 19:30 IST (14:00 GMT)

Pitch conditions: This venue was used for some of the limited-overs matches. The pitch might not be as fresh as the players would like. A few teams have won by big margins here. The captain to win the toss generally looks to bat just once and bowl the opposition out twice.

Weather conditions: Typically hot and humid conditions are forecast throughout the five days. There is a small chance of rain on all the days, too, but probably not enough to genuinely limit play.

West Indies v Sri Lanka 1st Test – Latest Odds

1xBet remain a firm favourite of ours. They’re among the best betting sites for cricket. We enjoy their early outright markets and the good margin they give bettors.

The West Indies are priced as the favourites at 1.675 and Sri Lanka are the underdogs at 3.2. A draw has been offered at 6.5

West Indies v Sri Lanka 1st Test – Team News

• Kraigg Brathwaite – The opening batsman has taken on the West Indies Test captaincy in a full-time capacity. He can’t let this negatively affect his primary role with the bat.
• Jason Holder – The tall all-rounder remains an integral part of the Windies Test team despite losing the captaincy. He’ll be key with bat and ball.
• Jomel Warrican – The Windies spinner has had a solid arrival on the international stage. His slow bowling could be vital in biting conditions.
• Dhananjaya de Silva – The Sri Lankan all-rounder is back in the fold after missing January’s Test series against England. He offers the unit balance.
• Pathum Nissanka – He was solid if not great in the limited-overs series and could be in line for a Test debut here, offering the middle order something promising.

West Indies v Sri Lanka 1st Test – Betting Tips and Prediction

We have more Test cricket betting tips for you. These are based on the form of the players and include some solid tips about the odds.

Back Bravo as the Top West Indies Batsman

A few days ago, Darren Bravo scored a century in ODI cricket at the same venue that will host the first Test. He could take that form into this match.

He’ll have more time to plot his innings this time as well. Bravo is arguably more of a Test match than ODI batsman.

Things are shaping up nicely for him to be the top West Indies batsman in the first innings at 4.5 with bet365.

Make Embuldeniya the Top Sri Lankan Bowler

The last time Sri Lanka played Test cricket was a couple of months ago, when spinner Lasith Embuldeniya was prolific against England. He took 15 wickets in two matches.

Conditions in Antigua will be different to those in Galle, but not entirely so. He should still benefit from some turn and extra bounce.

Embuldeniya is a good pick to be Sri Lanka’s top bowler in the first innings at 4.0 with CampoBet.

Have Holder as the Player of the Match

Jason Holder is no longer the West Indies Test captain and that could really free and empower him to return to his very best. West Indies cricket have reaffirmed their faith in him, regardless.

Capable of performing well with bat and ball, Holder is key as a first-change bowler and middle- to lower-order batsman.

Bet on him for a player of the match performance at 10.0 with 22xBet. This is a longer-odds pick, but could bring great value.

Look at our round-up of the best Test match betting tips for this series opener.