West Indies Women (Probable XI): Hayley Kristen Matthews (c), Qiana Joseph, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry (vc), Deandra Dottin, Jannillea Glasgow, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shawnisha Hector, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack
Preview by Mohammad Anab
The three-match ODI series between West Indies Women and Sri Lanka Women heads into the third encounter on Wednesday at St George's, Grenada. Sri Lanka have already taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 and will aim for the whitewash. Meanwhile, West Indies will play for pride and look to make the series scoreline 2-1.
The previous match saw momentum swing dramatically across both innings but it was Sri Lanka that held their nerves and registered a win by 14 runs. Batting first, the tourists scored 208/10 in 47.1 overs. Vishmi Gunaratne top-scored with 58 off 66 balls. For West Indies, offie Karishma Ramharack took three scalps while Afy Fletcher and Hayley Matthews picked up two each.
In reply, the hosts never looked comfortable and lost wickets in clusters, especially during the middle overs. However, Jannillea Glasgow scored her second half-century on the trot and took the game deep. Still, the Lankan spinners spun the web and bowled out West Indies for 194 in 48 overs. Inoka Ranaweera and Sugandika Kumari took three wickets apiece.
For the tourists, a lot will depend on their skipper Chamari Athapaththu, who has been the side's standout performer with both bat and ball, providing aggressive starts and useful overs. Apart from her, Harshitha Samarawickrama has offered stability in the middle order.
The hosts will bank on their skipper Hayley Matthews, who leads from the front and contributes in all three departments. Veteran pros Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin’s experience also holds the key.
The weather at St George's is expected to be bright and sunny. The pitch will continue to be on the slower side and spinners will get some purchase from it.
Can West Indies keep the series alive? Join us at 6 PM IST (8:30 AM Local Time) on Wednesday for the live coverage.