West Indies Women Vs Sri Lanka Women: Matthews Labels T20 Series a Crucial World Cup Tune-Up as Sri Lanka Trio Looms Large
The opening match of the three-match west indies women vs sri lanka women T20I series gets under way at the National Cricket Stadium in St George's, Grenada, with West Indies captain Hayley Matthews describing the contest as vital preparation for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup. The short series offers both sides a final competitive run of T20 cricket before the global tournament scheduled for June and July in England and Wales.
West Indies Women Vs Sri Lanka Women: Matthews frames the series as a World Cup warm-up
Matthews has positioned the series as more than standalone fixtures: it is a chance to reset after a narrow 2-1 loss in the preceding ODI series and to sharpen the team’s approach for the T20 World Cup. This will be Matthews’ first time leading the side in over a year; her last T20 international appearance came on January 29, 2025, when the team faced Bangladesh in St Kitts.
She emphasised a shift toward a more aggressive brand of cricket, highlighting the raw power available within the squad. The power hitters named as pivotal to that strategy are Chinelle Henry and Deandra Dottin, both presented as major striking forces who can change a game quickly. On the bowling side, Matthews noted that spinners have been performing well while the pace department needs to add penetration and wickets to create a more balanced attack. The series will test those adjustments in match conditions and provide clarity on match-winner roles ahead of the World Cup window.
Sri Lanka threats and match logistics
Sri Lanka will rely on a mix of youth, all‑round versatility and experienced spin as they challenge the hosts. Three Sri Lanka players highlighted as key contributors are Vishmi Gunaratne, Kavisha Dilhari, and Inoka Ranaweera. Each brings a distinct skill set the visitors will hope to leverage in the swift T20 format.
- Vishmi Gunaratne: Presented as a dependable young top-order batter, with recorded WT20I figures showing 51 matches, 795 runs, an average of 18. 48, a strike rate of 88. 33, three half-centuries and a highest score of 73*.
- Kavisha Dilhari: An important all-round option, with WT20I data listing 74 matches, 604 runs at a strike rate of 104. 67 and a highest score of 51*. Her bowling record in the format includes 59 wickets at an average of 22. 81 and a strike rate of 20. 6, with best figures of 4/13.
- Inoka Ranaweera: The experienced left-arm spin specialist, credited in WT20Is with 88 matches and 93 wickets at an average of 19. 37, an economy rate of 6. 02 and best figures of 4/7.
The three T20Is will all be staged at the National Cricket Stadium in St George's, Grenada. Each match is scheduled to begin at 1pm local time (5pm GMT, 10: 30pm IST). Broad coverage plans note live streaming availability for viewers in the Caribbean and elsewhere through multiple digital channels and the teams’ official platforms.
What to watch and what’s at stake
For the West Indies, the immediate priorities are to convert T20 power into consistent scoring at the top of the order and to sharpen pace-bowling options so the attack can finish partnerships created by the spinners. For Sri Lanka, the balance between steady opening stands, all-round cameo hitting, and incisive spin spells will determine whether they can unsettle the hosts in a brief three-match set.
Beyond series results, the bigger story is preparation: both camps will use these matches to finalise plans and personnel ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup later in the summer. Performances in Grenada will influence selection choices and provide momentum — or raise new questions — as each side heads toward the marquee event.
Recent developments indicate the series will be competitive and consequential; details and outcomes may evolve as the matches progress.
