Sri Lanka Captain Mahela Jayawardene Praises Angelo Mathews
Angelo Mathews praised from Captain Mahela Jayawardene for his magnificent 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, Colombo.
Jayawardene said, “That’s what we wanted from him batting in that position as it was a psychological battle”.
The Mathews 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 Tillakaratne Dilshan (121), Jayawardene (0) and Thilan Samaraweera (0), putting the team under pressure.
Angelo Mathews supported Sangakkara 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.
Jayawardene said, ”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”.
Angelo Mathews first made his international debut four years ago in Harare against Zimbabwe 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 Sri Lanka players, earlier in the series played a match winning score 80-run against Pakistan 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.
The Sri Lanka 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.
More On Sri Lanka:
- Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Highlights – 2nd Test Day5 – 04 July 2012
- Sachin Tendulkar out of Sri Lanka tour, Sehwag and Zaheer back
- Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Scorecard – 2nd Test Day5 – 04 July 2012
