NEWS » missing one of your guys and they come back around, it

Match Facts Wednesday, November 16Start time 0930 local (0730 GMT)Big Picture Visiting teams to Zimbabwe often use their time here as a looking glass into the future: which new combinations might be worth exploring? Who are the up-and-coming players? Whos staking a claim for the next major tour? While West Indies circumstances might be a little more tempestuous, both they and Sri Lanka have picked forward-thinking squads for this series, and there is plenty to prove on both sides.This is particularly true of the batsmen. Darren Bravo has been culled from West Indies squad for his outburst on Twitter, and they are also missing batsman Marlon Samuels, wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin and allrounder Kieron Pollard, depriving them of a combined 521 ODIs worth of experience. With 44 ODIs to his name Johnson Charles is, by some distance, West Indies most experienced batsman. Several somewhat unknown entities have a chance to stake a claim.The same goes for Sri Lanka, who already have one eye on their tour of South Africa in the new year. Sri Lanka have captain Upul Tharangas 189-match ODI experience to call upon, with Kusal Pereras international nous to back him up, but not an awful lot beyond that. Their relative familiarity with Zimbabwean conditions and the sparkling form of young batsman Dhananjaya de Silva may give them an advantage, but they will likely find themselves more tested by West Indies attack than by anything Zimbabwe have thrown at them in the last few weeks.Sulieman Benn and Sunil Narine have their wiles, and Shannon Gabriels improved fitness and balanced action enhances his menace. Captain Jason Holder will be personally buoyed by his recent second innings five-for against Pakistan in Sharjah, but the Bravo imbroglio may dampen the momentum West Indies gained from their historic Test success over Pakistan.Or it may not, given that in recent times West Indies have rarely seemed more than a tweet or two away from controversy, and weathering such storms is all in a days work for them. On the field, however, conditions are setting this match up as a middleweight fight that will favour the most sturdy batsmen and most incisive bowlers on either side.Form Guide Sri Lanka: WLLLW (Last five completed matches, most recent first)West Indies: LLLLWIn the Spotlight Kraigg Brathwaites Herculean efforts in Sharjah helped secure West Indies five-wicket win there, but his one-day record remains rather more modest than his Test record. With no Samuels or Bravo to provide the ballast in West Indies top order, West Indies will be looking to Brathwaite to step up and glue the top order together.Sri Lankas questions around their inexperienced middle order are yet to be answered, given the tiny target and limp bowling attack they faced on Monday. How they stand up to the greater challenge provided by West Indies may be crucial to their overall success.Team News Multiple changes to their squad will have shaken West Indies up somewhat, and despite their long-form success in the UAE, West Indies recent 3-0 defeat in the ODIs against Pakistan will be in the back of their minds. All the new names in their batting line-up have a chance to clean the slate, and there are several middle-order slots up for grabs and several all-round options.West Indies (possible): 1 Johnson Charles, 2 Kraigg Brathwaite, 3 Evin Lewis, 4 Jason Mohammed, 5 Shai Hope, 6 Shane Dowrich (wk), 7 Jonathan Carter, 8 Carlos Brathwaite, 9 Jason Holder (c), 10 Sulieman Benn, 11 Shannon GabrielShehan Jayasuriya came in for some tap from Peter Moor on Monday, but there is no urgent reason for Sri Lanka to tinker with their XI. When the tri-series moves to Bulawayo, they will have expanded opportunities to play their spinners, and there should be a similar make-up to their line-up against West Indies.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Dhananjaya de Silva, 2 Kusal Perera, 3 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 4 Kusal Mendis, 5 Upul Tharanga (c), 6 Asela Gunaratne, 7 Shehan Jayasuriya, 8 Sachith Pathirana, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Suranga Lakmal, 11 Nuwan PradeepPitch and conditions Zimbabwe coach Heath Streak suggested it wasnt so much the grass on the pitch as the clouds overhead that aided swing and seam on Monday, and both the pitch and weather conditions are expected to be very similar. Much of the day is expected to be cloudy and overcast, with occasional sunny spells, while there may well be thunderstorms in the afternoon.Stats and triviaIn 54 ODIs between these countries, West Indies hold the advantage with 27 wins to Sri Lankas 24. Yet that is weighted somewhat by West Indies yesteryear prowess. Sri Lanka have won six of the last seven matches between the teamsSuranga Lakmal is Sri Lankas leading wicket-taker this year, with 11 scalps from eight matches at 26.72West Indies last visited Zimbabwe in 2007-08, when they won a five-match series 3-1, with one game abandonedQuotes Weve been facing Carl Mumba who has been bowling very fast, so West Indies pace wont be a problem, rather the ball seaming around will be the challenge for us.Sri Lanka batsman Dhananjaya de Silva feels movement, rather than pace, will be West Indies key weaponIts obviously a big impact to lose senior guys with experience who bring pedigree to your side. Its a situation where we have to cope with what we have, and gel together as quickly as possible.Jason Holders West Indies side has been shorn of several experienced players ahead of this tri-series Taven Bryan Jersey . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Will Richardson Jersey . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. http://www.cheapjaguarsjerseysauthentic.com/ . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Logan Cooke Jersey .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Leon Jacobs Jersey . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Anthony Davis is toiling on his own while putting up gaudy numbers to start the season for the New Orleans Pelicans.The superstar forward averages 30.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game for the 2-9 squad. He is shooting 48.7 percent from the floor, impressive for a high-usage player such as Davis.Davis, after a year dealing with injuries and his teams own struggles, is reclaiming his spot atop the league as one of the most unique and singular talents.Again though, the Pelicans injury issues and his teams struggles are holding his stardom back.New Orleans, which picked up its second victory of the season Monday night at home against the Boston Celtics, has only two other players averaging at least 10 points. The fourth-highest scorer, Lance Stephenson, was cut a week ago. The team is still hurting to score, averaging 98.9 points per 100 possessions.Davis takes a lot of attention, but he needs help. The good news is he may very well get it soon.Wednesdays game in Orlando may very well be the last one for Davis without former All-Star guard Jrue Holiday running alongside him. Holiday has been out the entire training camp and preseason to be with his wife, U.S. Womens Soccer star Lauren Holiday, after the birth of their child and surgery to remove a benign brain tumor.The Pelicans announced Tuesday that Holiday will return to the team for Thursdays practice and play Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers. New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters Holiday has been working out twice pper day and appears in great shape as he rejoins the team.ddddddddddddIt is something the Pelicans desperately need.It will probably take him a couple of games to get back, but as long as he is on the floor its going to be good, Davis told the New Orleans Times Picayune. When you are missing one of your guys and they come back around, its always a happy feeling.Holiday averaged 16.8 points per game and 6.0 assists per game in 65 games last year for New Orleans. Adding him back to the lineup will be a major benefit and support to Davis and the Pelicans fledgling offense.Until he returns, they can take solace in playing another team that is struggling as much as they are.The Magic (4-7) scored only 69 points against the Indiana Pacers in a 19-point loss Monday. Their 33 percent shooting continued to crater their league-worst 41.0 percent shooting this season. Like the Pelicans, the Magic rank near the bottom of the league in points per 100 possessions.We had a few games now where we just cant score, we cant find a rhythm offensively, Magic center Nikola Vucevic told the Orlando Sentinel following Mondays game. I dont know the exact reason for it. Were getting good shots. Maybe we can get better shots.Magic coach Frank Vogel called his teams performance Monday very disappointing, especially after scoring 119 points in Oklahoma City the night before in an emotional victory. ' ' '