7th February 2012

India vs Sri Lanka Betting: Lasith Malinga can lead the Sri Lanka bowling attack in 2nd game of CB series

India were beaten in the opening match of the Commonwealth Bank Series on Sunday when Australia beat them in a rain affected match so the world champions will be keen to pick up their first win of the tournament when they take on the side who they beat in the World Cup final in March, Sri Lanka, in Perth on Wednesday. Both sides come into the match in poor form but India are the 4/6 favourites with Paddy Power.

The Western Australia Cricket Association Stadium in Perth will be the venue for this match. India have already played a test match on this ground this summer where they were turned over. This will be the 66^th one day international to be played on this ground, India have played in 9 of those matches, winning three times and losing five times with one tie. Sri Lanka have played 15 times here and have lost 13 of those matches.

India are expected to recall Virender Sehwag to their side despite rumours of a bit of a bust up with captain MS Dhoni. Sehwag broke the ODI record in his last ODI outing so it makes no sense to rest him when they are struggling for runs. Irfan Pathan could come in for Ravindra Jadeja with Perth suiting the seamers more than the spinners.

Mahela Jayawardene was injured for the end of Sri Lanka’s ODI series in South Africa last month but he will return to the side here and captain the side. Angelo Mathews’ form has been poor but he was one of the stars when Sri Lanka won an ODI series against Australia prior to last winter’s Ashes. Thissara Perera enjoys playing against India and is expected to play here.

I find it hard to believe that Sri Lanka’s spinners will pose any threat to the Indian batsmen here so I would say the seamers will cause the most problems. This is a young Sri Lanka seam line up though unless Farveez Maharoof plays but the one man who has experience is Lasith Malinga and at 9/4 I think he’s an excellent price to be the top Sri Lanka wicket taker. He’s taken 6 wickets in his last 3 ODI’s against India. They were in the sub-continent but these conditions should suit him more and I’ll take him to be the top Sri Lanka bowler in game 2 of the CB series.

Back L.Malinga Top Sri Lanka Bowler for a 3/10 stake at 3.25 with Ladbrokes

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