Sri Lanka’s one of the most experienced all-rounders, Angelo Mathews shows disappointment over the previous national selection committee for not selecting him into the squad.
Mathews played a vital role in the 1st T20 match against Zimbabwe due to which his team managed to win in the last ball and make the match into their name by 3 wickets. He scored 46 runs in 38 balls and got player of the match due to his crucial knock.
Angelo played his first international T20 match after 3 years and made a strong comeback. He said that he played well in the LPL (Lanka Premier League) in both the departments (batting and bowling) but was unfortunate to make his name into the list of the squad. He further said that the new members in the board are highly coordinated.
“In the last two Lanka Premier League (LPL) seasons I batted and bowled well, but unfortunately I wasn’t selected for the T20 World Cups, and I wasn’t given reasons for that. If you take decisions that are driven by agendas, these kinds of things can happen – we haven’t even qualified for the Champions Trophy. But one thing I believe is that if you train and play wholeheartedly, you can create an environment for yourself where you can perform. I kept my efforts up over the last couple of years. I think I can play for a little while longer.
The communication with me and the new selectors is quite clear. They asked me what my plans were for the future and [told me] their plans as well. We had a very good discussion. They said that I’m in their plans for the T20 World Cup, and if I could bowl a few overs. I said: ‘Absolutely – if I can help the team in any way’. I’ve been bowling in the LPL as well, and you saw me bowling in the [domestic] one-dayers as well recently. If I can bowl a few overs that helps the balance of the team and the captain can decide whether he wants to play an extra batter or a bowler.”
He came to bat when the team score was 51 runs and lost 4 wickets and somehow after a slow start, Mathews built a partnership of 55 runs with Dasun Shanaka (26 runs not out) for the 7th wicket. Finally Shanaka along with Dushmantha Chameera (6 runs not out) got the final victory touch for the team.
Also he was the first player in the history of cricket who got out due to time out in the World Cup.