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Angelo Mathews: Multi-skilled and the next big hope for the island nation of Sri Lanka

Angelo Mathews, born June 2, 1987, is Sri Lanka’s future in international cricket and their youngest-ever Test captain. Shrikant Shankar analyses the all-rounder’s career so far and what he has to offer the island nation going into a completely new generation.

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Angelo Mathews: Multi-skilled and the next big hope for the island nation of Sri Lanka

Angelo Mathews © Getty Images

Angelo Mathews, born June 2, 1987, is Sri Lanka’s future in international cricket and their youngest-ever Test captain. Shrikant Shankar analyses the all-rounder’s career so far and what he has to offer the island nation going into a completely new generation.

Sri Lanka is a cricketing nation with an abundance of talent. The likes Aravinda de Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and many more have graced the game of cricket.

This kind of talent led them to their maiden World Cup win in 1996 and two appearances in finals —in 2007 and 2011. They also lost in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 in 2009. Was it their ‘Golden Generation’? One would have to say ‘Yes’.

Almost all of them mentioned above were captains of the national team and most certainly all of them were leaders and national icons. All of them were either extraordinary batsmen or extraordinary bowlers, some were handy in the other department as well.

So where does Angelo Mathews fit in?

He is currently the captain of both the ODI and Test sides.

He is neither the best of the batsman nor is he the best in the bowling department. He is only 26 years of age, but the Sri Lankan selectors see him as the leader of the national team taking them into the future.
He has been tipped by the likes of Sangakkara and Jayawardene to lead Sri Lanka and received praise for his leadership qualities.

Mathews’ roots as captain can be traced back to his early days. He captained his St Joseph’s college side and then more importantly the Sri Lankan team at the 2006 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in their back yard.

His first series as captain of the national team was a two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home in 2013, which the hosts won 1-0. Then followed the three-match ODI series, which was shared at 1-1.
Hardly any accomplishment and also his performances individually were not eye catching. But then again one should not judge him as he is still very young for an international captain. His true worth as captain will be realised at how he marshals a relatively young side in the coming years.

Angelo Mathews: Multi-skilled and the next big hope for the island nation of Sri Lanka

Angelo Mathews drives during the One-Day International against India at Perth on February 8, 2012 in Perth © Getty Images

A handy all-rounder

Mostly known for his batting in the middle-order, Mathews made his first significant contribution with the ball.

In an ODI match against India in September 2009, he dismantled a famed Indian batting line up almost single handedly. Sri Lanka had posted 307 for 6 in 50 overs at the Premadasa, with Jayasuriya cracking a 79-ball 98. India were bowled out for a meager 168 in less than 38 overs.

The chief destructor was Mathews as he picked up six wickets for 20 runs in six overs. He is that uncanny bowler who has an unerring accuracy with the ball but without much pace. He is in the mould of a Mark Ealham or Hansie Cronje. Just medium pace, but enough variations to trouble batsmen.

In December that year, he provided his first telling contribution with the bat, again against India. He struck a fluent 99 of just 131 deliveries laced with 15 fours in Lanka’s first innings of the third Test in Mumbai.
He was run out one run short of his maiden Test century by none other than local boy Sachin Tendulkar. The match is remembered, though, for Virender Sehwag’s masterful 293 as India won by an innings and 24 runs.

But what it showed was Mathews was not to be fazed by the occasion as he stood toe-to-toe with the very best. More important knocks were to follow.

He does not possess the most astute of techniques or some of the breathtaking strokes like his peers, but he is effective. In the modern day, that is what counts. He can bludgeon sixes and fours and also rotate strike with equal ease.

World record broken

Almost a year later in November 2010 against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, he broke the world record for the highest partnership for the ninth wicket in ODIs along with Lasith Malinga. Sri Lanka were reeling at 107 for eight chasing a target of 240 when Malinga walked in.

Mathews struck an unbeaten 77 while Malinga scored 56 as the pair added 132 runs. The Lankans went on to win the match by one wicket.

Even in Twenty20 Internationals Mathews has made his fair share of contributions. His 46 off 37 deliveries guided Sri Lanka to a five-wicket win over India, again, and seal a semi-final spot in the 2010 ICC World T20 in the West Indies.

He followed that up with a 45-ball 58 in the last four against eventual tournament champions England.
What these have shown is that Mathews is one for all three formats and that he is gritty.

In June 2012, came one of his most important and yet so far mature innings. Sri Lanka were at 97 for four against Pakistan at the Premadasa when Mathews walked in. He stitched together important stands with almost all of the lower order and tail to take the hosts past the winning line with two balls and two wickets to spare.

Like most Sri Lankan cricketers, Mathews is very good on the field. His acrobatic and sensational save of on the boundary in the 2009 ICC World T20 is a case in point.

Thus he encompasses all three aspects of the game. He is not the most prolific run-scorer, neither is the lynchpin of the bowling attack. He is definitely not the finished article. He does have time on his side. Well that is what probably the selectors want to give him, time.

Taking over the reins after so many legends before held it is a very difficult task, just ask Michael Clarke. But with time and experience, and patience, Mathews probably can mould the next generation of Sri Lankan cricketer in his own image.

(Shrikant Shankar previously worked with Mobile ESPN, where he did audio commentary for many matches involving India, Indian Premier League and Champions League Twenty20. He has also written many articles involving other sports for ESPNSTAR.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Shrikant_23).

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