Preparation was key to “hard-fought” series win: Mathews

Friday, 27 June 2014 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Malik Gunatilleke Sri Lankan Test captain Angelo Mathews praised his team for a “hard-fought” series win in England while revealing that the team’s aggressive mentality during the series was in response to what was received. Fresh from a historic series win in England, the Sri Lankan cricket team landed back in Sri Lanka yesterday (26). The Lankans beat England 3-2 in the One Day International series while claiming a first-ever Test series win against the English in their own backyard. Speaking to the media, Angelo Mathews explained the difficult conditions that the team had to overcome to claim victory in England. “Early summer in England can be wet and tricky while not many Asian teams go there and win. All credit must go to the players. It was a hard-fought win,” he said.

He highlighted the preparation that the team went through prior to the series which ultimately was the secret to success, thanking head coach Marvan Atapattu and the coaching staff. The captain revealed that the preparation in Sri Lanka as well as the practice matches against Ireland helped the players ready themselves for the English conditions. Paul Farbrace, who enjoyed considerable success as the head coach of the Sri Lankan team, controversially joined the England staff as head coach prior to Sri Lanka’s tour of England. When asked about the impact this had on the Sri Lankan team and if he felt the move put the Lankans at a disadvantage, Mathews stated that there were no real secrets in international cricket. “We’ve obviously played a lot of cricket recently and teams go through a lot of video footage of opposition players. We’ve got nothing to hide.” The series in England was wrought with controversies as well as aggression both on and off the pitch and Mathews said that the players were prepared to give back as much as they received. “We are not known as an aggressive team on the pitch. But my policy for the team is that you if you are going to be aggressive, you need to be able to take it in return. The verbal aggression we received we gave back,” the Captain said. He also added that the pressure received from the British press only helped strengthen the team and improve its team spirit. Responding to the controversial ‘Mankading’ incident surrounding Sachithra Senanayake and Jos Butler, Mathews defended his decision to sustain his appeal by stating that it was in the rule book.

“You shouldn’t judge the captain in an instance like that. If people cannot handle it then it shouldn’t be in the rule book.” Captain of the T20 team and the Vice Captain of the ODI team, Lasith Malinga also received praise for his performances in England after Sri Lanka claimed a 3-2 victory in the ODI series and drew the T20 series 1-1. Asked if he had any regrets about not being a part of the Test team, Malinga said that he felt he had made the right decision to allow better players to take his place in the team. Furthermore, Team Manager Michael De Zoysa commented on the future of Sri Lankan cricket, praising Mathews, Malinga and the team for their performance in England. Drawing examples from some of the team’s narrow wins in all three formats since the turn of the year, De Zoysa emphasised the team’s great fighting spirit adding that there is great talent knocking at its door.

Angelo Mathews achieves career-best ranking

Mathews has climbed two places on the rankings table to occupy 11th position following his sturdy knock of 160 in the second Test against England

Sri Lanka Captain Angelo Mathews has achieved his career-best ranking to date as England’s Moeen Ali and Sam Robson have made it to the top 100 in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen, which were released after Sri Lanka won the second Test and the series off the penultimate ball against England at Headingley. The 100 run victory is Sri Lanka’s first ever Test series win on English soil. Player of the match Angelo Mathews has climbed two places on the rankings table to occupy 11th position following his sturdy knock of 160 in the second innings, which helped the visitors set England a target of 350, which the host fell short of by 100 runs. This performance also makes him the third Sri Lanka player within the top 20, along with Kumar Sangakkara (2nd) and Mahela Jayawardena (14th). The good news for England is that Moeen Ali, whose resilient unbeaten 108 in the second innings nearly saved the Test for his team, has been propelled 36 places to break into the top 100 for the first time, in 92nd position. Close on his heels is team-mate Sam Robson, whose 127 in the first innings has been rewarded with a jump of 66 places to fetch him the 93rd spot on the rankings table. The Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers also saw huge gains from the Sri Lanka players. Dhammika Prasad’s match figures of one for 75 and five for 50 saw him re-enter the rankings table in the 55th position, while Angelo Mathews’ four for 60 in the match saw him jump up eight places to 81st. Rangana Herath remains the only Sri Lanka bowler within the top 10, at number eight, while Shaminda Eranga (four for 93 and one for 38) has moved up four places to occupy 23rd place. England will be happy with the performance of Liam Plunkett, who has returned to the side after a seven-year absence. His match figures of five for 64 and four for 112 have led to his jumping 54 places to enter the top 50 at number 50. James Anderson has also moved up three spots to number 10, only eight ratings points behind Herath.

England tumble to fifth in Test rankings

ESPNcricinfo: England slipped to fifth place in the ICC Test rankings after their 0-1 loss at home to Sri Lanka. A new-look side hinted at recovery from a terrible winter, but failed to wrap up the first Test at Lord’s. They could not convert an even stronger position at Headingley as Angelo Mathews and his bowlers led Sri Lanka to their first series win in England, which lifted them up one place to sixth. Pakistan have benefitted from England’s slide, moving up to third spot though they haven’t played a Test since January. Australia continue to lead the rankings.