http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913 blames “too many mistakes” for series defeat against India – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758’s stand-in skipper Angelo Mathews on Saturday blamed his side’s “too many mistakes” for the recent 4-1 ODI series defeat to India.
“The Indians have a very good batting line-up...But we did too many mistakes on specific days and that was the result of our downfall,” said Mathews at the post-match presentation ceremony after 20-run defeat to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in the fifth and final One Day International, at Pallekele International Stadium, on Saturday.
Coming into the India series at the back of an impressive performance against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755, the Sri Lankan looked out of sorts in all the one-dayers played over the last couple of weeks, but the second ODI at Hambantota, on July 24.
The Islanders started the five-ODI series against World Champions with a 21-run defeat at Hambantota, and won the second one-dayer at the same venue comprehensively by nine wickets. The hosts then lost the next three games by five wickets, six wickets and 20 runs, to lose the series 1-4.
Mathews was given the responsibility to lead the side in the fifth ODI, at Pallekele last night, after regular skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/WU-Tharanga-c2802’s 21-ball 31.
Hailing the Thirimanne-Mendis duo, the 25-year-old Colombo all-rounder said that they were just unlucky to fall short of 20 runs in the end.
“Unfortunately we fell short by 20 runs, we gave away some runs on the field,” said the Sri Lankan stand-in skipper.
"Encouraging to see Thirimanne and Mendis taking on the challenge...Mendis works really hard and is a wonderful asset for us,” he added further.
Replying to a query regarding the extent of Jayawardene’s back injury, Mathews said, "He (Jayawardene) and the physio felt that he should have a small break because we've all had a long season. To recover from that (back problem), the physio and management felt that he should rest today."
The two outfits will next play one-off T20 International, in Pallekele, on Tuesday, August 7.
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