Published: Jan 15, 2024, 12:11 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 15, 2024, 12:11 PM (IST)
After leading the way in his first Twenty20 International in over three years on Sunday, Angelo Mathews blasted the previous Sri Lankan selection panel, led by Pramoda Wickramasinghe, for having “agendas” in their decision-making that prevented him from being included in the white-ball setup since March 2021.
“I batted and bowled effectively in the last two Lanka Premier League (LPL) seasons, but regrettably I was not picked for the T20 World Cups, and I was not informed of the reasons why. These kinds of things may occur when choices are made based on agendas; we haven’t even been eligible for the Champions Trophy,” Mathews stated.
Mathews received an ODI lifeline only a year ago when he was brought into the team midway through the World Cup in India to take Matheesha Pathirana’s spot due to injury. Mathews’ career has been marred by many ailments, with his bowling in particular suffering as a result of his attempt to control his workload. But he admitted recently, as well as during the ODI World Cup, that he trained a lot in his spare time to stay in shape and improve his bowling.
However, I do think that if you train and play with all of your heart, you may make a space for yourself where you can excel. Over the past few years, I continued to put in my efforts. I believe I have a bit more to play,” Mathews said.
If he can make an impact with the ball, Mathews may be able to extend his career and play in this year’s T20 World Cup according to the new selection committee led by Upul Tharanga.
“There has been clear contact between myself and the new selections. They inquired about my future intentions and shared with me their own plans. We had an excellent conversation. They indicated they would like me to bowl a few overs and that I will be part of their preparations for the T20 World Cup. “Absolutely—if I can help the team in any way,” I replied.
You recently seen me bowling in the [domestic] one-dayers, and I’ve also been bowling in the LPL. The captain can choose to play an extra batsman or a bowler if I can bowl a few overs, which enhances the team’s balance,” he continued.
Mathews bowled two PowerPlay overs on Sunday in Colombo and gave up 13 runs before leading his team to a last-ball thriller with 46 off 38 balls. Zimbabwe was ahead even in the 14th over of Sri Lanka’s chase, with the hosts reduced to 83 for 6. But at this point, Mathews and Dasun Shanaka linked for a crucial partnership that saw 55 runs off of just 34 balls, saving the game.
“When we batted together I talked to Dasun about how if one of us gets out it will be really difficult,” Mathews recalled. “We decided that it would be preferable if we batted until the sixteenth or seventeenth over and maintained the necessary pace at a manageable level, approximately ten runs per over. We ultimately had to target their top bowlers as well. We took a few measured chances,” Mathews remarked.
