Mathews steps down as captain

11 July 2017 10:00 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 10

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By Champika Fernando

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews has tendered his resignation as captain of the national side from all three formats.

Mathews resignation comes in the wake of the recent defeat to Zimbabwe in the five-match limited over series, where the tourists recorded country's first-ever series win against the Islanders, beating them 3-2.

Mathews met the national selectors led by Sanath Jayasuriya on Tuesday morning and conveyed his decision to step down from the captaincy.

Mathews was named the captain of the national team until 2019 World Cup last year but the former Josephian college cricketer was under significant pressure to resign after series of losses in recent months.

Mathews who led Sri Lanka to famous 3-0 victory against Australia called the recent defeat against Zimbabwe ‘one of the lowest point in his career’.

"It's one of the lowest points in my career. This one is hard to swallow. Everything went against us today from toss to misreading the wicket. No excuses though. At the end of the day we were not good enough to beat them. They played better cricket," noted Mathews following Monday's series defeat to Zimbabwe

Mathews led Sri Lanka in ODIs and T20Is before being appointed as the Test skipper replacing TM Dilshan.

Mathews is the key performer in the current side but a series of injuries kept him away from cricket for a significant period of time. Mathews injured his hamstring during the T20 series against South Africa which forced his return home without playing a further part in the tour. He missed the ODI series in South Africa and also the T20 series in Australia. He also missed the home series against Bangladesh and returned to the side for the Champions Trophy 2017.

His resignation comes just weeks after head coach Graham Ford was parted ways with Sri Lanka Cricket, few days missing out on a Champions Trophy semi-final spot

Mathews captained Sri Lanka in 34 Tests, of which the team won 13 and lost 15. Under Mathews Sri Lanka won 47 and lost 46 ODIS while in T20Is he won four and lost seven.

Mathews began his cricketing career at St. Josephs College, Colombo a school which also produced Sri Lanka’s best paceman Chaminda Vaas.

He excelled in school cricket and captained the Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket team at the cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka seven years ago. That was to be his stepping stone to break into the national cricket team.

His international debut was against Zimbabwe two years later when Sri Lanka toured that country.

Comments - 10

Peter De Zilwa Wednesday, 12 July 2017 08:25 AM

I think this action is very childish. Stepping down as captain is not going to mend anything in the team as there is no fit person to replace him as Captain.Furthermore he is not doing the young un's no good by his actions as the pressure on the new appointee is going to be tremendous taking into consideration that we have India to reckon with in the coming months.I think the selectors should talk to him and ask him to give it another think unless MR. Jayasuriya is looking to make a come back.

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Jith Wednesday, 12 July 2017 09:29 AM

Why Mathews? Why not the board and selectors of Sri Lanka Cricket? They messed it up and they should take responsibility for making cricket weak with politics and personal agendas

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hasantharanawake Wednesday, 12 July 2017 09:52 AM

Anjelo's decision is agreeable. But he is not only one who is responsible for recent defeats. What about selectors. what about cricket board. They all should get the responsible for present situation of Sri Lanka Cricket. Many members of the cricket board have been enjoying perks and privileges since many years from the money which players earned. What they have done for the Cricket. nothing. When everything is going wrong, blames only on players and captain. Not for the selectors, not for the cricket board. Don't forget the Champions Trophy match we won against India. Good luck for Sri Lanka Cricket.

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Nuvan Wednesday, 12 July 2017 10:08 AM

We should appreciate Angelo's actions but what about the bigger political crooks in the cricket board. Political crooks will never resign until they are thrown out.

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Gamma Wednesday, 12 July 2017 10:11 AM

First the coach left and now the captain leaves. This is what happens when bookies try to run cricket and not horses.

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LeoKyo Wednesday, 12 July 2017 10:58 AM

What a pathetic state of SL cricket, following the path of the rest of the country, going to the dogs.

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Patriot Sri Lanka Wednesday, 12 July 2017 11:26 AM

Selfless move by a true example of a leader. A lot our corporate and political crooks can learn from this. If cant perform let someone else do it!Thank you Angi for your great service as captain

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Sir Ian Bottom Wednesday, 12 July 2017 11:51 AM

Even ( Sir Ian Bottom ) Resigned as Captain and Brock Records after playing as a Ordinary Player

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suresh olagama Wednesday, 12 July 2017 12:31 PM

I think Anglo is currently the best player SL has but circumstances has led to t this, resignation we got to respect him for taking the responsibility for actions, as a true leader. but the real issue here is mismanagement by SLC , by bringing in unwanted individuals into team management (Asanka Gurisingha) resulting in Sri Lanka first loosing the best Coaches around (Graham ford) and now the captain, but as cricket lovers lets hope for the best .

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yashan Wednesday, 12 July 2017 12:44 PM

Angelo mathews is an outstanding player and the only player of our cricket team who can bat well under pressure.he should have though of whether there is anyone else to do well as the captain.we got a stunning white wash victory against kangaroos for the first time in the history under the captancy of angi.it is the cricket board who are responsible for the series we lost against zimbabwe.not mathews.he is a hero for us.

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