We can make a statement in T20 World Cup: Mathews

Angelo Mathews and Wanindu Hasaranga at the post-match press conference

• For the World Cup we need the services of experienced players, says Captain Hasaranga

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews is of the view that under the leadership of all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga the Sri Lanka T20I team is capable of making a statement at the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA.

The veteran all-rounder who made it a memorable comeback to T20I cricket after a lapse of three years by bagging the Player of the Series award in the three-match series against Zimbabwe which Sri Lanka won 2-1, said, “We played some good cricket over the last three games. We can improve in all three departments. We always learn. Even the most experienced player who is me, I learn from my mistakes. That’s what we’ve got to do as a unit. We have a great captain who wants to take up the challenge and give a lot of confidence to the team. It can do wonders when you create a great environment for the players to go out there and enjoy. That is number one, the key.”

“I’ve been in most dressing rooms and when you lose, it’s very easy to point fingers at each other. But when you lose that’s the time you’ve got to get together and have belief, give confidence to each and every one, which Wanindu does fantastically well. We’ve got some great cricketers in that dressing room. We started off really well. We have only six games before we go for the World Cup. There’s still a long way to go and we can improve in all three departments. We can make a statement in the World Cup.”

Mathews expressed disappointment that Sri Lanka weren’t able to win the second T20I which they lost to Zimbabwe by four wickets.

“I should take the blame for the defeat. As a senior player I should be able to close it off. 20 runs is quite a lot and I just couldn’t execute my plans. I was extremely disappointed.” Zimbabwe required 20 off the last over and Mathews who bowled it conceded 24 runs off the first five balls.

“But I thought we played as a team today. We really wanted to go out there and make a statement and put the pressure back on Zimbabwe which we did superbly.”

Zimbabwe were bundled out for their lowest ever T20I total – 82. Sri Lanka knocked the runs off in 10.5 overs losing just one wicket to win by nine wickets.

“You cannot take a team like Zimbabwe lightly. When you lose to them everyone thinks that we should not be losing. They too have some very good cricketers in their side, so you cannot take it lightly when you play any team.”

Hasaranga said that winning the series has given him a lot of confidence on his debut as T20I captain. “We have two more series before the World Cup and we hope to take the confidence we gained from this series into them and perform well as a team. We want to make use of the two series to find the right combinations ahead of the World Cup. For the World Cup we need the services of experienced players.”

With Kusal Perera being out of sorts in the first two matches, Sri Lanka brought in Dhananjaya de Silva into the number three slot for the third T20I on Thursday. De Silva has been told by the selectors that if he is to play in the T20I he has to bat in the top four.

Sri Lanka’s two remaining T20I series prior to the T20 World Cup are against Afghanistan (3 matches) next month and against Bangladesh (3 matches) in February-March.

Zimbabwe captain Sikander Raza said that they were inconsistent in their play.

“There’s been a lot of good and bad. It’s extreme. We’ve either really good or really poor, nothing in between. Not finding a consistent way of playing at the moment. Unfortunately we’re not training as professionally as we could be, including myself. We’re not reading the game well and understanding the situation, and playing accordingly. We’re not trusting our skills. Today’s one of those days where Craig (Ervine), myself and Sean (Williams) had to play a lot of the overs and we couldn’t. That had a ripple effect.”

Raza said there was no explanation to give for Zimbabwe’s capitulation for 82. “52 after 6 overs and then to be 82 all out, there’s no explanation. The only explanation I have is that we take full responsibility as the players. We’re trying our best but unfortunately when we need courage more than skills that’s not there. And that cannot be coached or taught. Unfortunately that’s one of the reasons today. The biggest plus point has been the seamers and how well they’ve bowled on a tough tour.”