1st and 2nd T20i : West Indies vs Sri Lanka

1st T20I, (N) at Pallekele, Mar 4 2020

08:30 AM EST

Although it's true that West Indies are defending T20 world champions and Sri Lanka
will have to qualify for the main draw of the T20 World Cup later this year
perhaps they are not so far apart in the shortest format.

West Indies have failed to win each of their last five T20I series
even losing a recent match to Ireland, with whom they drew the series 1-1.
Of their last eight series - a sequence that stretches back to July 2018
- they have only won one.

Andre Russell comes into this series in good form, having carved up the Bangladesh Premier League

only seven weeks ago, hitting 225 runs at a strike rate of over 180, while taking 14 wickets as well.

Dwayne Bravo and Lendl Simmons JOIN their partner- in- crime, skipper Pollard

Lendl Simmons, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer and Pollard

are each a daunting prospect on their own, let alone in the same batting order.

Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis are not included in this squad !

Sri Lanka will hope that the good vibes and confidence from their ODI whitewash

will roll on into the T20I series.

As a bonus, Sri Lanka have regained Angelo Mathews the bowler.

Thisara Perera have hit form with the bat
Avishka Fernando in good nick as well

the hosts will hope to end a torrid stretch of T20I form.

my android box acting up : may need a new password ! ** phew**

The pitch for the third ODI seemed a little slow, but that didn't stop both teams scoring 300

Generally, Pallekele surfaces do a little bit for the seamers, under lights.

No rain is forecast.

Sri Lanka have won six, and lost only three matches against West Indies.

One of those losses was in the 2012 T20 World Cup FINAL

the other came in the 2016 World edition.

This match will be Kieron Pollard's 500th T20.

58 after Power Play

5.5 Udana to Simmons, FOUR runs, absolute carnage here,
5.4 Udana to Simmons, SIX runs, he's taken a liking to Udana, but he keeps dishing up freebies,
5.2 Udana to Simmons, FOUR runs, better ball, full and fast on around middle
5.1 Udana to Simmons, SIX runs, slower one

98 - 1 after 11

8.2
Sandakan to King, drag down gets the breakthrough! It was a googly, King had to fetch that for the pull,

BA King c de Silva b Sandakan 33 (25b 5x4 1x6) SR: 132.00