I am ready for captaincy – Mathews
Vice Captain of the Sri Lanka cricket team Angelo Mathews said that he is ready to take over as skipper once Mahela Jayawardene steps aside at the end of the current series, the AAP reported today.
“I’m pretty much prepared. If they offer me the captain’s job, I’ll probably take it,” Mathews said.
“Mahela’s done a wonderful job and it’s not easy to take those reins and do as well as Mahela. It will be a tough challenge.
“But let’s see how it goes.”
Mathews has made 79, 84 and 75 in his past three Tests, but despite 11 half-centuries has only once scored a Test century.
That was against Australia, and Mathews has also shone at the MCG in a one-day international when his 77 not out as part of a 132-run ninth wicket stand gave Sri Lanka an extraordinary one-wicket win over the Aussies in 2010.
The all-rounder goes into the Boxing Day Test – Sri Lanka’s first Test at the MCG since the infamous 1995 Muttiah Muralitharan chucking controversy – in run-scoring nick.
With Australia set to hand paceman Jackson Bird a Test debut, Mathews admitted the Sri Lankans knew little about the Tasmanian.
“To play for Australia, he has to be a good bowler – we cannot take him lightly,” Mathews said.
“We have to try and be careful and take on the challenge. We need to get hold of his videos and analyse him.”
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- CID launches probe into Rs. 2.7 Billion loss from Lanka Phosphate export deal April 30, 2025
- 33 candidates, 349 supporters arrested ahead of Sri Lanka’s LG polls April 30, 2025
- Police team appointed to assist probe on IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon April 29, 2025
- Maithripala pays Rs. 1 Million compensation over Royal Park murder pardon April 29, 2025
- Head-on bus collision in Beliatta injures 30 April 29, 2025
The way things are going in the 2nd test in Australia, Angelo should be catapulted into the captaincy sooner than later. The deadwood in our team should fortwith be replaced.
The 3rd test is in Sydney, a ground that has always been favourable to Sri Lanka. It is time Mahela steps back and allows leadership to talented youth.