Sri Lanka favourites but Windies dangerous

With all due respect to Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, it's five years since West Indies won a notable Test series. That, though, was against Sri Lanka, and having made some improvements in recent times, they will fancy their chances of beating them in the two-Test series, which begins on Saturday.

Click here to bet on West Indies v Sri Lanka at bet365

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have not won a Test series of note on foreign soil since they triumphed in Pakistan in 2000 and they have yet to win a Test in West Indies in four attempts.

On paper, there is very little to choose between the two teams. West Indies, led by Chris Gayle, have a decent batting line-up, with Shivnarine Chanderpaul supported by Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Marlon Samuels, and a useful attack of Daren Powell, Fidel Edwards and Jerome Taylor.

Sri Lanka have a weakened squad, missing the retired Sanath Jayasuriya in their batting line-up, but more worryingly, they have a depleted bowling attack, with both Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando out of the series through injury.

That leaves plenty of pressure on the brilliance of Kumar Sangakkara and Muttiah Muralitharan but though both are likely to perform well - Sangakkara averages 47 against West Indies and Murali has taken 70 wickets in 10 Tests against them at an average of 17 - they may not be able to do it all on their own.

West Indies may have lost their last series, away to South Africa, but they did win the first Test, their first such triumph in South Africa, so things are at least looking up.

Bet365 make Sri Lanka odds-on at 10/11 for the series win, while the draw is 2/1, but I think West Indies rate a decent bet at 3/1 to repeat their 2003 win, thanks to growing confidence and the obvious advantage of playing at home.

Star performers
Anyone who has been following world cricket for the past couple of years will know that Kumar Sangakkara
has been the outstanding Sri Lanka batsman for a long time now.

The left-hander's natural talent, allied to a strong will and fierce determination, has served him well and bet365 make him just 15/8 to be his side's top runscorer in the series. Considering that he has averaged 95 over the past two years and 138 in the past 12 months, that's not too surprising.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene, who has also averaged just under 100 in the past 12 months, is next at 12/5. With no Jayasuriya or even old-timer Marvan Atapattu, I'd be surprised if it goes beyond these two, but Malinda Warnapura is 6/1 and Michael Vandort is 13/2 and Chamara Silva 9/1.

For West Indies, Shivnarine Chanderpaul
, who averages 115 over the past 12 months and well over 60 going back two years, tops the betting alongside Gayle at 5/2. It will be interesting to see how Gayle does in his first series at home as captain, but it could just inspire him.

The hugely talented Sarwan is 7/2 and then there is a big gap to Devon Smith at 13/2, while Samuels and Sewnarine Chattergoon are both 8/1.

All in all, there is not much to choose between the two, but West Indies will not have too many better chances to win a series and since success breeds success, this could be the win they have been looking for as they try to regain their place at the top of the world game.

Cambers' Call
West Indies to win series against Sri Lanka - 3/1 bet365

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.