Mathews praises new selectors for confidence boost

Player of the Match in second T20I Angelo Mathews

• Former captain says “You see a massive difference out there with boys playing with freedom”

Sri Lanka’s cricket seems to have come a long way since not so long ago, when it was shunned by the public and by all and sundry following their disappointing Cricket World Cup campaign that also saw them lose the opportunity to play in the next ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan in 2025.

A change of Sports Minister and a change of the national cricket selection panel has brought forth a change of fortunes for the national cricket team resulting in the spectators returning in their thousands. 

The first thing the new cricket selection panel headed by former Sri Lanka white ball captain Upul Tharanga did was to appoint three different captains for the three different formats of the game – Test, ODI and T20I.

Needless to say, all three captains began their run on a winning note – Dhananjaya de Silva in the one-off Test against Afghanistan, Kusal Mendis in the two ODI series against Zimbabwe (2-0) and Afghanistan (3-0), and Wanindu Hasaranga in the T20I series against Zimbabwe (2-1) and Afghanistan (where Sri Lanka lead the three-match series 2-0 with one to play).

“It is all about planning. In a cycle you get two years or four years to plan things out. With the new selectors they have planned well,” said Angelo Mathews, Player of the Match in the second T20I on Monday that Sri Lanka won by 72 runs to clinch the series.

“The new captains are doing a great job. They are giving confidence to youngsters and senior players. The guys are playing with freedom and enjoying their cricket rather than worrying about other things. We are in good shape.” “The selectors seem to have a proper plan rather than doing this and that. They have played most of the players including myself. You see a massive difference out there with the boys playing with freedom. Communication is a key aspect in international cricket. You have got to work with the team. When you do that the outcome is much different. Forget about agendas, forget about differences, and forget about revenge. Get together and think of Sri Lanka cricket.”

If Matheesha Pathirana was the tormentor of the Afghanistan batsmen in the first T20I, Mathews made life hard for the Pathans (or Pashtuns) in the second with a brilliant all-round performance (42* off 22 balls and 2 wickets for 9 runs).

“Winning the series has built confidence. We were lucky in the last game as we made a lot of mistakes. This game was a complete performance. Bowlers and batters all showed up and it was a superb wicket. We knew if we scored 180 it could be a par score. They could have chased it down. We were sharp on the field,” said Mathews.

At 121-5 in the 15th over things were not looking good for Sri Lanka when Mathews arrived at the crease.

“The plan was for Sadeera to bat deep so that I could bat with freedom. I struggled in the first 10 to 15 balls. Every ball went to the fielder when I hit it initially. I knew I could clear the ball,” said Mathews. “The way Sadeera was going I knew I could play my shots. I can improve further if I can get singles and twos in the first couple of deliveries. The openers gave us a good start. The Afghans really bowled well. Last game we didn’t bat 20 overs and it was a disappointment. Glad we got our act together. Sadeera was superb today.”

About his role in the team Mathews said, “Since the Zimbabwe series, I was told to bowl to help the balance of the side. At any moment I am ready to bowl. Selectors spoke to me too and we had a decent chat. I am willing to give my hundred percent. I am enjoying my cricket and want to do my best for the team.”