Shai Hope won the toss at Sabina Park and invited Sri Lanka to set a target in the second of three T20 internationals. West Indies lead the series 1–0 after a comfortable seven-wicket victory two days ago.
The home side’s only change is forced. Jason Holder, Player of the Match in the opener, has reported a minor niggle and sits out. His seam-bowling role goes to 26-year-old Shamar Springer, making a first T20I appearance on home soil.
Sri Lanka, looking to square the series, have freshened both batting and bowling. Left-hander Kamil Mishara comes in for Lasith Croospulle near the top of the order, while spin-bowling all-rounder Dunith Wellalage replaces left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka.
Conditions look more straightforward than they did before game one, when showers threatened but never truly arrived. At the pitch report, former West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite noted a bare patch at one end and predicted appreciable turn from that spot, though he still expects a “fair contest between bat and ball”.
Teams
West Indies: Shai Hope (capt, wk), Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Shamar Springer.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga.
Talking points
• Holder’s absence removes both new-ball accuracy and late-over hitting; Springer will be eager to show he can offer similar balance.
• Sri Lanka strengthen the spin department with Wellalage, perhaps a response to Brathwaite’s observation about the surface.
• Kingston’s weather is clear, so a full 40-over match is expected—welcome news for both captains after the morning’s cloud cover dispersed.
With the series on the line for Sri Lanka and a chance for West Indies to clinch it early, the stage is set for an intriguing evening in Jamaica.
