The Group F of the ICC World T20, which also is one of the two Super Eight groups will see the second game between West Indies and Sri Lanka on Friday at Barbados. West Indies and Sri Lanka had a contrasting entry into the second round of the competition as West Indies had won both their games, against Ireland and England, whereas Sri Lanka lost their first game to New Zealand and then had a match affected by rain against Zimbabwe, but managed to bowl their overs on time to get through to the next round.

West Indies are on a roll for sure, and they seem to have relished the home conditions really well. The pitch may change its nature at Barbados as compared to the one in Guyana, and there is a good chance that the West Indians may unleash Kemar Roach if the need arises. So far, they have depended heavily on the likes of Sulieman Benn, Nikita Miller and the medium pace of Darren Sammy, but that may need to change on a track that will zip and nip around a little more than usual.

That will also mean that their batting will need to see through a few overs in the start of the innings before they start to play any shots. Chris Gayle may not be able to do that, but Shivnarine Chanderpaul will be expected to bat through the innings and get to a big enough total.

As against that, Sri Lanka will need to get going with the ball at the top of the innings. Whilst their spinners are doing a good job, the absence of Muthiah Muraltharan will be felt and that will mean that the side will look to make some changes on a pitch that will force them to. The issue is that had Murali been around, irrespective of the track, he would have played, but with the pitch being so pace-friendly, it is difficult to get in Suraj Randiv into the playing eleven. Instead, it could just make much more sense to have a fast bowler going into the playing 11.

Talking of the Sri Lankan batting, the side will do well to shuffle things around; especially givent hat T Dilshan is struggling to make contact with the ball. There is a good chance that Sanath Jayasuriya will be called up at the opening slot, and Dilshan may be moved down, in order to get something out of that opening partnership.

West Indies look better prepared for this one, according to me!
The 16th match of the tournament and the fourth game of the Super Eight stage of the ICC World T20 will be played between West Indies and Sri Lanka at Bridgetown in Barbados. The West Indies qualified for the Super Eights with two wins, over England and Ireland each, whereas Sri Lanka huffed and puffed through to the second with a loss to New Zealand and a win in a rain-affected game against Zimbabwe.

West Indies look to be on a roll, and there are ample reasons for that. For one, Chris Gayle seems to be enjoying playing this format, as he always as and hence, his batting has been carefree. The other reason is that the two seniors are back in the side, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, both of whom, have been the cornerstones of the West Indian batting over the years.

Chanderpaul seems to have reinvented himself yet again, and has resumed his career as an opener. Not only that, he has been playing some of the most audacious strokes one would see from a batsman like him, and the best is the reverse sweep that has invariably gone to the boundary after getting a good connection.

The bowling is where the West Indians seem to have scored over the opposition. With Sulieman Benn back, and the medium pace bowlers like Ravi Rampaul and Darren Sammy expected to enjoy the conditions at Barbados, the West Indian attack could be one of the most threatening ones and could look to overcome the Sri Lanka batting.

Talking of which, the Sri Lankan side has been struggling with their batting and the prime reason for that is the lack of form for Tillakaratne Dilshan at the top of the order. Earlier, Sanath Jayasuriya and Dilshan would open the innings, but with Jayasuriya losing his form, he was pushed down to the number eight position, and Mahela Jayawardene made to open. Jayawardene got off to a fine start as an opener, scoring 81 and 100 in the two innings he has played, but now, Dilshan has lost his form!

The other piece of bad news for the Sri Lankans is the injury to Muthiah Muralitharan, who has been ruled out of the tournament now. This means that Suraj Randiv will shoulder much more of the responsibility and that should make the matters even more interesting.

All in all, one gets the sense that unless Sri Lanka can get going with the bat, this could just be one-way traffic in favour of the hosts!
Batting-weary Sri Lanka take on West Indies in the fourth game of the Super Eights at Bridgetown
Sri Lanka need to get a lot more from their batsmen in the Super Eights game against West Indies, who look to be out of form.

Tag :- Darren Sammy   Ramnaresh Sarwan   Sanath Jayasuriya   Sri Lanka   Suraj Randiv   Tillakaratne Dilshan   West Indies