http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913 pledges to give the best – Cricket News Update
Sri Lanka’s vice-captain Angelo Mathews, on Tuesday vowed to give his absolute best in the forthcoming T20 World Cup, to help the side lift its maiden trophy in the shortest format of the game.
While speaking to media reporters at the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World T20 pre-tournament press conference, held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, on Tuesday, the promising all-rounder shared his desire to bat up in the order. However, he said that he was prepared to bat at any position, in the best interest of the team.
“I play any game to the best of my ability, it doesn't matter what tournament,” said the middle-order batsman, who also bowls right-arm medium pace.
“I’d like to contribute to the team much more and would prefer to come a bit earlier in the batting line up. If there is no other option I am prepared to sacrifice and put in my best foot forward…in any possible way,” he added further.
The right-hander usually comes to bat at No. 5 or 6 in the limited overs cricket. In the home ODI series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755, in June, Mathews was often dropped behind Thisara Perera on the batting order. However, with Perera in good form with both bat and ball, Sri Lanka can experiment with Mathews by sending him to bat at No. 4, leaving the lower order hitting to Perera.
Mathews was also upbeat about Sri Lanka’s chances in the mega event, to be played on their home soil.
“We’ve a fairly good batting line up which goes down up to number seven – likewise the team also comprise a good number of all-rounders,” said the right-armer, who has so far played 28 T20 Internationals for Sri Lanka, and averages 24.20 with the bat and 22.70 with the ball.
“If we look at our bowling combination we’ve five top bowlers which show that we have a balance side,” he added further.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045, in Group C in the global event, which gets underway in Hambantota on September 18, and will run till October 7.
The weather in the last few days has hampered hosts’ pre-tournament training sessions, but Mathews said that it would not affect their preparations as such, especially after having played in the recently concluded Sri Lankan Premier League.
The hosts will play two warm-up matches against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Afghanistan-c745, before taking on minnows Zimbabwe in the curtain raiser, at Hambantota, on September 18.
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