Sri Lanka and West Indies are scheduled to play the first game of their two-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series on Monday here at Pallekele. The visitors after having a dreadful time in both Test and One-Day International (ODI) series where they were whitewashed will look for a fresh start in the shortest format of the game. West Indies only area of concern and the reason behind their downfall has been their batting. They have failed miserably to put a competitive total on the board especially the failure of the top-order have affected them massively. They have match wining players but lacks confidence as a team. LIVE SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs West Indies, 1st T20 at Pallekele
They have named a formidable squad for the T20 and the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine can turn the game on its head within a mater of few moments. Their batting is yet to fire ad if they do so in the first T20 there is no stopping. They have to overcome a huge mental barrier from the recent series and put up a substantial performance.
Rains have played a major part in the ODI series as all the three games were heavily affected by it. Toss will play a crucial role to play. For Sri Lanka, they will be high n confidence and will look to replicate their magical performance in the T20 series too. They have a well oiled side and most of their players are in form. Expect a run fest here at Pallekele when the two giants lock horns with each other. Live Blog: Sri Lanka vs West Indies 2015, 1st T20 at Pallekele
Squads:
Sri Lanka: Lasith Malinga (c), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera (wk), Shehan Jayasuriya, Angelo Mathews, Milinda Siriwardana, Chamara Kapugedera, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Kithuruwan Vithanage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Jeffrey Vandersay, Binura Fernando, Thisara Perera
West Indies: Darren Sammy (c), Samuel Badree, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Dinesh Ramdin (wk), Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor.