West Indies vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Predictions & Tips - Impressive Brathwaite to lead West Indies to victory

The West Indies produced two of their best Test performances of the last decade against Bangladesh in their last series. They will be looking to replicate those performances at home against a struggling Sri Lanka outfit. My best bet is a West Indies victory.

Sri Lanka have won three of their last five Test matches against the West Indies along with one draw and a solitary West Indies victory. They last met in 2018 where Sri Lanka won by four wickets.

West Indies had lost four Test matches in a row until their recent 2-0 series win in Bangladesh. It was an impressive showing from a team that has underwhelmed in the longest format for the last decade.

Batting first in Dhaka in the 2nd Test, the West Indies scored 409 runs. Newly appointed captain, Kraigg Brathwaite scored 47 runs but it was Nkrumah Bonner (90), Joshua Da Silva (92) and Alzarri Joseph (82) who pushed the Windiest to an impressive total.

After dismissing Bangladesh for 296, the West Indies were bowled out for 117 runs on a deteriorating pitch. Spinner, Rahkeem Cornwall then took 4-105 as the visitors dismissed Bangladesh for 213, winning a cracking match by 17 runs.

Kraigg Brathwaite has been appointed permanent Test captain after his successful stint in Bangladesh. Former captain, Jason Holder remains in the squad and will feature as an allrounder.

West Indies played two spinners in Bangladesh and may stick with the tactic depending on how the pitch is looking in North Sound.

Sri Lanka will be disappointed with the way their Test match form has gone. They have suffered defeat in their last four matches, including a 2-0 series defeat at home to England. That followed another 2-0 defeat in South Africa.

Angelo Mathews scored 110 runs as Sri Lanka batted first in the 2nd Test against England in Galle. Niroshan Dickwella contributed 92 with Sri Lanka putting in a decent first innings score of 381 runs.

The hosts dismissed England for 344 runs, giving them a 37-run lead going into the second innings. Unfortunately Sri Lanka conspired to collapse to 126 all out, leaving England needing 163 for victory.

England chased down the total to win by six wickets and claim the series.

Sri Lanka have an experienced team over in the West Indies but have had injury troubles in the ODI series. The loss of Angelo Mathews who returned home for personal reasons is a big blow as well.

The good news is the return of captain and opening batsman, Dimuth Karunaratne. He missed the series against England through injury.