West Indies vs Sri Lanka 2021, 1st Test: Match Preview And Prediction

The two-match Test series between West Indies and Sri Lanka will begin Sunday (21st March) while Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (North Sound, Antigua) will host this Test opener.

This Test series is a part of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship. Both teams will try their best to begin this Test series in a strong way. It will be their first Test meeting since June 2018.

West Indies vs Sri Lanka 2021, 1st Test: Match Preview

West Indies

After winning the ODI series in a strong way, the hosts West Indies are now eyeing to start this Test series in a strong way. As the hosts, West Indies are improving in Test cricket too, and they will try their best to improve their recent home Test records too.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo and Jermaine Blackwood are the strong batsmen in Test cricket along with Jason Holder, who generally comes to bat in the late. In their last away Test series in Bangladesh, while debutant Kyle Mayers’ double-century in the fourth innings helped the visitors to claim an impossible-looking victory, another newcomer Nkrumah Bonner shined with the bat in both of his first two Tests.

Kemar Roach, Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph are really useful pacers in Test cricket. Rahkeem Cornwall is also impressing with his recent performances, especially as an off-spinner.

Full Squad

Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican

Sri Lanka

While the visitors Sri Lanka suffered a big series defeat in the ODI series in this tour, they will now try their best to improve the team performance in this Test series.

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne is a very crucial name in the Sri Lankan Test batting line-up. While Dinesh Chandimal is in the Test squad, who scored 71 runs in a recent ODI match against the hosts West Indies and also scored 40 runs during the two-day tour match, Angelo Mathews’ absence is hurting this team hugely. During their last home Test series against England last January, Lahiru Thirimanne and Niroshan Dickwella played some good knocks along with Mathews.

Among their newcomers, Ashen Bandara and Pathum Nissanka recently impressed during the recent limited-overs series against the hosts West Indies.

Experienced pacer Suranga Lakmal is the major face of this pace-bowling team while the other pacers need to provide strong support to him. In this Caribbean tour, Wanindu Hasaranga has impressed with his all-rounder role, especially as a batsman.

Full Squad

Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen Silva, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Vishwa Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera and Lasith Embuldeniya.

West Indies vs Sri Lanka 2021, 1st Test: Match Prediction

The hosts West Indies are favourite for this Test match who are now focusing to grow as a strong Test side.