World Twenty20 Final: Sri Lanka v West Indies, Where to Watch Live, Preview

After three weeks of non-stop, electrifying cricket in South-East Asia, one of two small island nations will become the 2012 World T20 champions. It's Sri Lanka v West Indies, it's Baila v Calypso in the final at Colombo.

Where to Watch Live

The game starts at 2.30pm BST. Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sport 2 HD will broadcast the match in the UK. ESPN will stream the match live in selected countries on its official website.

Overview

Sri Lanka, one of the most consistent teams in world cricket, are playing their fourth cup final in three years (2007 World Cup, 2009 World T20 and 2011 World Cup) and will go into this game as clear favourites, boosted by home support and typical subcontinent conditions. The West Indies, on the other hand, are in their first cup final in nearly three decades, since the shock loss to India at Lord's in the 1983 World Cup.

The Sri Lankan captain, Mahela Jayawardene, has several talented players at his disposal, including wicket-keeper/batsman Kumar Sangakkara, all-rounders Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera and spinner Anjantha Mendis, who can all adapt to different situations and take the game away from the opposition. The hosts have clicked superbly as a team in this tournament and the players have complemented one another well.

Meanwhile, Darren Sammy and his West Indies team know their chances of landing the title will depend heavily on one man - Chris Gayle. They have some skilled T20 specialists in Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard but the team rallies around Gayle, who smashed a 41-ball 75 to see off Australia in the semi-final. The left-hander has to come up with something similar if he is to end his country's trophy drought.

When the two sides met in the Super Eights at Pallekele, the hosts posted a comfortable win by chasing down the Caribbean total of 129 with nine wickets and 4.4 overs to spare.

Team News

Sri Lanka: Jayawardene faces a tough call between spinners Rangana Herath and Akila Dananjaya. Herath has international experience, a lethal carrom ball in his arsenal and took three crucial wickets against Pakistan in the semis. However, after watching Gayle take the similar left-arm orthodox bowler Xavier Doherty to the cleaners in the other semi-final, the Sri Lankan skipper might opt to field the 18-year-old right-arm offie Dananjaya, who is unknown to the West Indians and understood to have seven variations, including doosra, leg-break and googly, along with the stock off-spinner - his own invention.

West Indies: Gayle has not completely recovered from the side strain he suffered against Australia two days ago, but the marauding opener is expected to play anyway. Pacer Fidel Edwards, who was rested in the last two games, is a contender for a spot in the decider for either Andre Russell or Samuel Badree. Russell conceded 25 runs in his over against Australia but his abilities with the bat might come to his rescue. Meanwhile, leggie Badree dismissed the dangerous David Warner and Shane Watson in the semis but could be benched, considering the hosts have some of the best players of spin. However, chances are Sammy will keep the same line-up that convincingly beat the mighty Australia.

Pitch and Conditions

The final will be played on a surface similar to the one used for the game between Sri Lanka and Australia. So expect a pitch that offers plenty for the spinners and not much for the quicker bowlers.

Probable Line-ups

Sri Lanka: Jayawardene (c), Dilshan, Sangakkara (wk), Thirimanne, J Mendis, Mathews, Perera, Kulasekara, Malinga, Dananjaya, A Mendis

West Indies: Gayle, Charles, Samuels, Bravo, Pollard, Sammy (c), Russell, Ramdin (wk), Narine, Rampaul, Badree