The injury is all set to quash Angelo Mathews’ hopes of being a part of history, as the former Sri Lanka skipper is likely to miss the Islanders’ first-ever Day-Night Test. The all-rounder had also missed the ongoing first Test against Pakistan after hurting his calf muscle during training in Colombo ahead of the series and looks set to remain on the sidelines when Dinesh Chandimal & Co. take on Pakistan in the Day-Night Test scheduled to start from October 6 in Dubai.
Mathews was expected to recover from the injury in time for the second game, but sources have cast doubts on his participation. A source in Sri Lanka Cricket stated that the ace all-rounder would undergo a fitness test next week, but is unlikely to feature in the upcoming match.
“Angelo will undergo a fitness test in Colombo on Monday, and then we will know for sure, but it is very unlikely that he will play the second Test. The physiotherapist is not confident that he will make it before the second Test,” the source told Cricbuzz.
The source, while admitting the team would have loved to have the experienced all-rounder back, said the management is not willing to rush him, keeping in mind the busy schedule that follows the series in Sri Lanka.
“We would love to have him for the second Test, but we have a lot of cricket ahead of us over the next six months, and there’s no point in rushing him. We need him fully fit for the ODI series,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the Islanders have done well in the absence of Mathews in the ongoing Test. After the heavy drubbing at the hands of India, the Dinesh Chandimal-led side has bounced back brilliantly, scoring 419 in the first innings with the captain leading the side from the front with an unbeaten knock of 155.