Sri Lanka vs West Indies -1st Test Betting Tips

Host Sri Lanka will be looking to start their home season on a positive note when they take on West Indies in the opening game of the Test series played at Galle on Sunday.

Sri Lanka have announced their 22-member squad for the two-match Test series against West Indies. Chamika Karunaratne, Suminda Lakshan, Kamil Mishara, Chamika Gunasekara and Charith Asalanka are uncapped players picked for the West Indies series. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne will be hoping that the side can deliver a decent show with bat and ball.

On the other hand, West Indies have named their squad for the tour of Sri Lanka. Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite will be hoping that the side can make adjustments and deliver a clinical performance in this series opener.

Sri Lanka Form and Team News

The home side will be looking to select their best combination for this opening fixture. Charith Asalanka is expected to make his Test debut for Sri Lanka at Galle.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on Dimuth Karunaratne, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Matthew, Oshada Fernando and Dhananjaya de Silva to deliver notable scores in this fixture.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Praveen Jayawickrama, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Embuldeniya and Lahiru Kumara to provide timely breakthroughs.

West Indies Form and Team News

Uncapped opener Jeremy Solozano is expected to make his debut for West Indies in this first Test. He is expected to open the innings with Kraigg Brathwaite for this series opener.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jermaine Blackwood and Kyle Mayers to deliver the bulk of the runs.

In the bowling department, the side will be depending on the pace trio of Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales and Jason Holder to provide timely breakthroughs.

Rahkeem Cornwall and Roston Chase will be preferred spin options for this opening Test.

Odds by Casumo

According to the Casumo sportsbook, Host Sri Lanka will be favorites to win this Test series opener at Galle. For the first Test, Sri Lanka are at 1.68 odds, while West Indies at 6.40 odds. The odds for a draw are 3.00.

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Our Tipster’s Angle

Based on their current form, Host Sri Lanka will fancy their chances of beating Sri Lanka in this opening fixture. With the likes of Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva and Lasith Embuldeniya in excellent form in the five-day format, the home side will be looking to bring their A-game to the table in this opening Test against West Indies.

The visitors will have to bat exceedingly well to push Sri Lanka in this Test series.

Therefore, the prediction is for Sri Lanka to secure a comprehensive win against West Indies at Galle.

Tip 1: Dimuth Karunaratne to continue his excellent form in a five-day format      

Since past 12 months, Captain Dimuth Karunaratne has shown excellent form for Sri Lanka in the five-day format. In six Tests played, Karunaratne has accumulated 652 runs at an average of 59.27 with three centuries and two half-centuries to his name. Given his consistently good performances in Test cricket, we can expect opener Dimuth Karunaratne to score 40 runs or more against Sri Lanka.

Tip 2: Captain Kraigg Brathwaite keen to lead from the front with the bat

Since November 2020, the opening batsman has accumulated 611 runs in twenty outings at an average of 30.55 with one century and three half-centuries to his name. Given his consistency in the longer format of the game, we are backing Captain Kraigg Brathwaite to score 25 runs or more in this series [email protected].

 

Conclusion

Expect Sri Lanka to beat West Indies and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.

1. Opener Dimuth Karunaratne to score 40 runs or more-Sri Lanka @2.50
2. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite to score 25 runs or more in this series opener- West [email protected]

 

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