West Indies vs Sri Lanka 2021, 2nd Test: Match Preview And Prediction

The hosts West Indies and the visitors Sri Lanka will now meet each other in the second game of the two-match Test series at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (North Sound, Antigua), which will begin this Monday (29th March).

Currently, this Test series is standing in the 0-0 position as the first Test of this series had the draw result. After Sri Lanka scored 169 runs in the first innings, West Indies replied with 271 runs. Sri Lanka managed to score 476 runs in the third innings as the hosts had to chase 375 runs target in the fourth innings. The Caribbean team finished that Test after scoring 236/4.

So, the second or last game of this series is going to be a series decider as the winner of the match will win this series while the series will be drawn in the case of no winning result.

West Indies vs Sri Lanka 2021, 2nd Test: Match Preview

West Indies

Despite getting a 100+ lead, West Indies finally battled for a draw in the first Test and they ultimately succeeded in their mission. However, the Caribbean Test captains are still disappointing with their bowling first decisions after winning the toss as these risky approaches are majorly not working for them now.

Jason Holder took a fifer (5/27) and Kemar Roach got three wickets (3/47) in the first innings of the first Test as they bundled out the visitors cheaply. In their first innings, John Campbell (42), Kyle Mayers (45) and Joshua Da Silva (46) were dismissed in the 40s while Rahkeem Cornwall scored the crucial 61 runs and it helped them to take the handsome lead.

During Sri Lanka’s second innings, Caribbean bowlers failed to take wickets at regular intervals as there were five 50+ scores, including one century and two more 90s. Chasing down the target of 375 runs, Nkrumah Bonner patiently batted the entire fifth day and scored 113 not out off 274 balls while Kyle Mayers scored 52 runs off 113 balls. Their batting helped the Caribbean team to secure a draw in that series opener.

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

The visitors Sri Lanka initially had struggling experiences in the first Test but their strong second innings batting helped them to return to the game and take major control of that match. Though that Test match ended in a draw, Sri Lanka now have huge confidence ahead of the second or last Test of this series.

In the first innings of the Test series opener, opener Lahiru Thirimanne scored 70 runs while Niroshan Dickwella (32 runs) was the other batsman in that innings to reach the 20-run mark.

Suranga Lakmal (5/47) took a fifer during the hosts’ first innings and the other bowlers (Vishwa Fernando 2/52 & Dushmantha Chameera 2/71) also provide some good helps as they restricted West Indies under 300.

In the crucial third innings of that Test match, Lahiru Thirimanne scored another 76 runs while Oshada Fernando scored 91 runs and Dhananjaya de Silva scored 50 runs. Later, Test debutant Pathum Nissanka scored a century (103 runs) and Niroshan Dickwella just missed out on his maiden Test century by scoring 96 runs.

After their strong third innings batting, Vishwa Fernando (2/73) and Lasith Embuldeniya (2/62) took two wickets each in the fourth innings but it wasn’t enough for them to secure an incredible victory.

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, 2nd Test: Match Prediction

The Test series opener was a great game. Though it was a very fighting contest in the first Test, West Indies will start the second Test as a favourite side.