Sri Lanka will have first use of a fresh Sabina Park strip after West Indies captain Shai Hope won the toss in the third – and deciding – T20I in Kingston. The tourists levelled the series only yesterday, so it’s one-all with everything riding on this match.
“We learnt quickly from game one,” Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis said during the warm-ups. “Another solid start with the bat is the plan. Simple as that.”
West Indies felt the loss of Jason Holder in the second game, but the all-rounder’s “little niggle”, as he called it, has cleared. “The shoulder felt fine at training; I’m raring to go,” Holder confirmed. He replaces Shamar Springer, while 20-year-old left-hander Ackeem August makes his first appearance of the tour in place of Romario Shepherd.
Sri Lanka, unsurprisingly, stick with the XI that looked so organised on Saturday. Dasun Shanaka’s 19-ball half-century then provided both impetus and evidence that their middle order can punch back.
The pitch is new – rare, given the tight turnaround – and, although it has soaked up a full day of Kingston sunshine, the curator admits it hasn’t had the rolling time the previous surfaces enjoyed. Translation: the ball may hold a touch, making stroke-play slightly trickier. Expect spinners and seamers with decent cutters to cash in once the lacquer fades.
Teams
West Indies: Shai Hope (capt, wk), Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Ackeem August, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph.
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.
Former West Indies seamer Tino Best, watching on television duty, reckons whoever adapts quickest will take the series. “It’s not a 200-deck today. Get to 170, use your change-ups, and you’re right in it,” he advised viewers.
First ball in a few minutes, and the atmosphere is building nicely.
