Sri Lanka would take on West Indies in the finals of the T20 World Cup at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo today. Both the teams will be bidding for their first T20 title and none of these teams enter as a clear favourite in the match.
Sri Lanka will be hoping to get second time lucky in front of their home crowd whereas for West Indies they will be hoping to get their hands of the trophy which they deserve the most by the way they have played in the tournament.
The Hosts have depended heavily on their bowlers for coming so far in the tournament and they would hope their batting also to fire. Windies have been performed clinically with both and ball so far in the tournament.
The match will see some of the greatest players of this format in action today and let us take a look at few of the players expected be in thick of action today:
Here are the players to watch out for in today’s match:
Sri Lanka:
Mahela Jayawerdene: Skipper Mahela Jayawerdene has lead the Lankan batting attack in the tournament and his team will want him fire in today’s crucial match. He is one the batsmen who plays according to the situation. He has variety of shots in his arsenal and can play them with perfection. He will hold the key for Sri Lanka at the top of the innings.
Angelo Matthews: A team’s strength in T20 is judged by the kind of all rounders they have and Angelo Matthews is one those players whose utility value is of utmost value to the team. Matthews can rescue a team from a precarious position while batting and while bowling he is more than useful and his knack at picking up wickets at important junctures makes him an important player in today’s match.
Lasith Malinga: There is hardly any bowler in international cricket who can bowl yorkers like him. But then that is not all he possesses. He can bowl slowers, bouncers and reverse-swings with same effect. His team would want him to take on Chris Gayle up the order.
Rangana Herath: The veteran spinner was preffered over young Akhila Dhananjaya in the match against Pakistan and he did not fail to impress. He was the most impressive bowler in the last match with his three wicket haul. He will want to carry on with his good run in this match as well.
West Indies:
Chris Gayle: The biggest hitter of the cricket ball, Chris Gayle can clear any ground with ease. He has been in supreme form in the tournament. He has scored at an average of 55 and the best part about his innings is the way he shapes it. He will start off slowly and then accelerate once he sets in. If he can get going in the match, then Sri Lanka will have it very difficult in the tournament.
Marlon Samuels: If he fails with the bat, then he will make it a point to deliver with the ball. He is one of the most useful players of this side and his dual role will be very helpful in the match. He has been impressive in the tournament and will be looking to continue his good form.
Sunil Narine: After an average start to the tournament, he has picked up well from the Super Eight stages. He is a very mysterious bowler and can create problems for Sri Lankan batsmen on a pitch which has been so helpful for spinners. He disguises his deliveries very well and Sri Lanka will have to watch out for him.
Dwayne Bravo: Bravo is the one of the best all rounders of the game and his team will depend on him a lot. He is equally effective with both bat and ball. He can change raise the tempo of the match while batting and can also change the course of the game bowling a few good overs.
By Indian Sports News Network