16 August 2017 10:35 pm Views - 2836
Former Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews is expected to bowl during the five-match ODI series against India starting Sunday. Mathews who has taken 111 wickets in 187 matches, stopped bowling since returning to the side after a long injury lay-off.
Mathews suffered a hamstring tear during the T20-series against South Africa in January.
“I don’t think, I can bowl the full quota of overs but I will definitely bowling,” Mathews told mirrorcricket just before leaving to Dambulla for training ahead of the opening ODI on Sunday. “If I bowl the full quota, I might not be able to play the full series. So I need to manage my work load so that I will not put extra-pressure at this moment.
Mathews’ decision, is welcomed by Sri Lanka limited-skipper Upul Tharanga who said that it was big plus to get Mathews’s services as a bowler.
“We are hoping that Angelo (Mathews) will start bowling and that is a big plus point,” said Tharanga at a press conference held in Colombo.
Mathews, 30, has returned best figures of 6 for 20 in ODI cricket with his medium pacers. Meanwhile skipper Upul Tharanga said Sri Lanka should move on from the embarrassing defeat in the Test series.
“We are disappointed with the way we played the Test series. Moving forward we have to forget that series and with the lessons learnt we have to face the upcoming series with confidence. We beat India in England. We have confidence gained from that game,” Tharanga said.
Upul Tharanga Spoke to Mirror Cricket before leaving to Dambulla - Watch the Video
Interim coach Nic Pothas said that they are as disappointed as anyone but wanted everyone to be patient.
“Colombo was not built in one day,” said. “We are looking forward for the ODI series although the Tests were disappointing. We have got to keep in mind that we played a very, very strong side that was at full strength. We will take time to review and reflect that series and the squad we have got for ODIs and Tests is exciting. We do have process going forward. Patience is required," Pothas said.
Sri Lanka looking to begin the series with a win against India who beat Sri Lanka 3-0 during the Test series.