West Indies Win Toss, Opt to Bowl Against Sri Lanka
West Indies won the toss and put Sri Lanka into bat in their Group 2 encounter in Bristol. A win for the West Indies will solidify their already strong position in the group and maintain their unbeaten record. For Sri Lanka, coming on the back of that historic win against New Zealand, a win would take them level on four points with the West Indies – and throw the group wide open.
Hayley Matthews said they were hoping to exploit any early assistance in the surface, while Chamari Athapaththu said they would have “definitely” batted first given the choice.
Team Changes
Both sides have made a solitary change to their respective XIs. Ashmini Munisar strengthens the West Indies’ spin bowling stocks, coming in for Qiana Joseph. Imesha Dulani, the top-order batter, returns for Sri Lanka, making way for Hasini Perera.
Sri Lanka have the better recent head-to-head between these two sides, with them winning both of their last two encounters, but Matthews expects the conditions in Bristol to suit her side more.
Pitch and Conditions
Spin is expected to play a major role in this game, on a pitch that’s got a good layering of grass but is also slightly damp. The boundaries are 60 metres square on either side, and 70 metres down the ground.
Team Lineups
Sri Lanka XI: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu, Imesha Dulan, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika de Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Kawya Kavindi, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Nimasha Meepage, Mithali Ayodhya
West Indies XI: Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle, Stafanie Taylor, Jahzara Claxton, Chinelle Henry, Jannillea Glasgow, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Rahmarack, Ashmini Munisar
