West Indies haven't had steady openers against Sri Lanka and this has affected the outcome of their clashes. They average 29 per wicket against Sri Lanka since 2000, which is significantly lower than the overall 35.19 for the first wicket. Their run-rate in the first 15 overs has been only 3.4 an over at 23.96 per wicket.Sri Lanka's openers have fared only slightly better than their West Indian counterparts. Since 2002 they average 30.72 for the first wicket against their 25.95 against West Indies. Sri Lanka have scored at 4.11 per over during the first 15 overs but they have lost fewer wickets during this period and average 56.54 per dismissal.
Even with the class of Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Marlon Samuels, West Indies haven't been able to stamp their authority on Sri Lanka's spinners during the middle overs. Since 2002 they have scored at 3.80 per over between the 15th and 40th overs. During the same period Muttiah Muralitharan has conceded just three runs per over and has taken 6 wickets at 23.33. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have played marginally better. They score at just over four an over at a healthy average of 38.25.Neither team has power-hitters to boast of during the slog, though in Dwayne Smith Windies have a genuine belter of the ball. West Indies have scored at 6.09 per over during the final overs, which is far higher than Sri Lanka's 5.52.West Indian fortunes will hinge on how Brian Lara handles both Chaminda Vaas and Muralitharan. Lara's facility with spin makes him a crucial factor in today's game. Since 2002 he has not been dismissed by Muralitharan and his strike rate against him is 77. However, to get to Muralitharan, Lara will have to see off Vaas, against whom he averages only 15 with a strike-rate of just 21. Lara isn't the only West Indian batsman to struggle against Vaas in recent matches.
