(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – Sri Lanka Cricket says skipper Angelo Matthews is due to return to the island from South Africa today. SLC said Mathews is due to return due to personal reasons. SLC Secretary Mohan De Silva earlier said they will receive the medical report pertaining to Mathews’ injury this evening.
Mathews suffered an ankle injury during yesterday’s 2nd Twenty20 Match against South Africa. However the skipper left the pitch after completing a winning innings for Sri Lanka.
The brilliant innings by Mathews whose captaincy was previously questioned, saw praise from experts locally and internationally. Former Sri Lankan Skipper Mahela Jayawardene took to his twitter account to congratulate Matthews. Jayawardene tweeted “Well played Angelo Mathews. No better way to respond to your critics”.
Additionally SLC Selection Committee Chairperson Sanath Jayasuriya and senior cricketer spin bowler Rangana Herath also took to their twitter accounts to congratulate Matthews for his stellar performance while also congratulating Lakshan Sandakan and Isuru Udana. The third and final T20I will get underway on Wednesday in Cape Town.
As both teams have bagged a match a piece Wednesdays match will be a series decider. In the absence of Mathews, Vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal will take over reigns as the skipper for the 3rd T20.
Full statement:
Captain of Sri Lanka’s national team Angelo Mathews is expected to return, Sri Lanka to join his family this week, Sri Lanka Cricket announced citing that prior to the tour Mathews had indicated that he would need time off on personal grounds.
SLC on Monday confirmed that he has been granted permission to return home. The next T-20 match which is to be held on the 25th of this month will be captained by Dinesh Chandimal.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka’s fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep and opener Dhanuskha Gunathilaka are expected to return home to Sri Lanka today, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed citing that both players are in need of rest to recover from their injuries.
The national team’s physiotherapist confirmed that Nuwan Pradeep sustained a hand injury following the match on 17th this month. He has been requested to rest and will not be available for the next four weeks.
Meanwhile opener Dhanushka Gunathilaka who also suffered a setback due to his back injury has been advised to rest for three weeks for optimal recovery.
The team’s physiotherapist conferred that it would be better for both individuals to return home and rest since they would not be able to continue playing in South Africa.
The ODI squad will be announced shortly after a meeting with Selections Committee scheduled tomorrow.
