Start time: 1030, 01/07/2019
Venue: Chester-le-Street
TV: Sky Sports
Sri Lanka still have the faintest of hopes of reaching the Cricket World Cup semi-finals and are value to beat an already-eliminated West Indies in Durham.
The Crusaders have won four of the last five ODI encounters between these underachieving sides and should be hungrier for success here.
We reckon getting 7/4 for the underdogs is a gift for our first Sri Lanka vs West Indies prediction.
Predictions for The Crusaders
Sri Lanka failed to build on a surprise win over England when being thrashed by South Africa, but that will have at least given them some experience of playing at this venue.
The Crusaders had several batsmen get off to a decent start, but none managed to see it through, as they were bowled out for 203.
Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis then steered the Proteas to an easy victory and Dimuth Karunaratne admitted lessons must be learned.
He said: “If you are going to get a start, you have to go for a big one.
“I think if you take Du Plessis and Amla, they batted really well in a tough period and then they will keep batting and batting and batting.
“They didn’t want to get out. That is what I’m expecting from our players; keep rotating the strike and to bat 35, 40 overs – and then go for the big shots.”
Kusal Mendis has generally disappointed at this tournament after impressing in warm-up matches, but he did hit 46 versus England and 30 against Australia, before falling for 23 on Friday.
He shone with 94 when these teams last met and 11/2 for him to top score for the Crusaders stands out from the Sri Lanka vs West Indies odds.
West Indies looking at the future
West Indies suffered a fifth defeat in six completed matches when crushed by 125 runs against India at Old Trafford.
After the tournament favourites took advantage of some sloppy fielding to post 268 for seven, the Windies collapsed to 143 all out in a pretty shambolic display.
Kemar Roach commented: “We’re out now, but obviously there’s a future for us.
“I think we’re still learning, a couple of young guys on the team have got a great future and it’s all about being positive and looking forward.”
Staying focused at this stage will be tough, but Chris Gayle will be keen to end his last World Cup on a high, so 3/1 for him to top score for the Windies is worth adding to our Sri Lanka vs West Indies betting tips.
