West Indies host Sri Lanka in the deciding third T20I at Sabina Park on Monday, with the series locked at 1-1 after two contrasting matches.
West Indies won the first match by seven wickets, chasing down 148 on the back of Jason Holder’s 3-18 and Shai Hope’s unbeaten 65 off 54 balls.
Sri Lanka responded emphatically in the second, posting 194-6 through Shanaka’s 58 off 24 and Mishara’s unbeaten 61 off 40, before their bowlers dismissed West Indies for 157. Hasaranga and Chameera took three wickets each as the hosts collapsed from 89-2 to 157 all out.
Form and key players
Shanaka leads the series run-scoring with 80 runs at 170.21 and five sixes. Kamindu Mendis has contributed 75 runs at 127.12. Hasaranga leads Sri Lanka’s bowling with five wickets, while Chameera has three at a strike rate of 14.33.
For West Indies, Hope leads the batting with 71 runs at 122.41. Shamar Joseph is the standout bowler in the series with six wickets from two matches and a best of 3-29.
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Pitch and conditions
Sabina Park produced 148 in the first match and 194 in the second, suggesting the surface quickens as the series progresses. Sri Lanka’s spinners found significant purchase in the second match, which will be a key tactical consideration for both captains. Both sides know these conditions extremely well.
Betting angle
West Indies at 1.70 is fair value as home favourites. Most sixes to West Indies at 1.52 is the standout market given Powell, Hetmyer and Hope’s six-hitting output and a surface that has quickened through the series.
Holder at 4.50 for top bowler is worth considering given his outstanding 3-18 in the first match on this ground. Kusal Mendis at 4.55 for top batsman is the best Sri Lanka option given his 67 series runs at a strike rate of 159.52.
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The takeaway
Both sides have shown they can win here, but West Indies’ home advantage and Holder’s proven effectiveness at Sabina Park give them the edge in the decider.
Photo: REUTERS/Sahiba Chawdhary
