http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397 praises Angelo Mathews - Cricket News Update
Sri Lankan all-rounder, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913, won praise from Captain Mahela Jayawardene for his solid batting (47) on the fifth day during the second drawn Test against Pakistan, which further helped the hosts avoid follow-on at Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo.
“That's what we wanted from him batting in that position as it was a psychological battle,” the skipper said.
The 25-year-old batsman came to the crease when the hosts had a scare after losing 4 wickets for 42 runs during the final session on day-three. The dismissals included the prized scalps of centurion http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691 (121), skipper Jayawardene (0) and
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TT-Samaraweera-c2712 (0), putting the team under pressure.
Mathews supported http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KC-Sangakkara-c1779 during a 92-run sixth-wicket stand and remained unbeaten through the morning session before taking his team to safety and denying Pakistan a chance to make a comeback.
"Angelo batted positively and we would have loved him to bat through and get a big one. But the time he spent batting he looked really in control,” the Lankan captain said.
The Colombo player, who is known for his ability to cope well under pressure, was appointed vice-captain last year, and seen by many as the potential successor to lead Sri Lanka in the next World Cup in 2015.
Mathews first made his international debut four years ago in Harare against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 and since, has played a total of 76 One Day Internationals (taking 43 wickets and scoring 1537 runs) and 25 Test (8 wickets and 1273 runs).
The right-hander, who also represented Pune http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Warriors-c861 during the fifth season of Indian Premier League (IPL), has his career marred by injuries, which led to speculations that the all-rounder might have a doubtful prospect as a bowler, with a potential future
as specialist batsman beckons.
The Lankan player, earlier in the series played a match winning 80-run knock against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in the decider played at R Premadasa, helping his side to clinch the series 3-1. However, in the Test series the all-rounder was below par with both, bat and ball,
before his recent innings.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 is already leading the Test series 1-0 as the outcome of the series will be decided after the third Test, due to be played at Pallekele from July 8th.
Tags: