The Sri Lankan cricket team is on an all time low in the limited overs format having lost 23 ODI’s out of 29 matches they played 2017, has now given captaincy to Angelo Mathews.
The Sri Lankan team has been on a decline since the retirement of their batting greats Mahela Jayawardne, Kumar Sangakarra and Tilekaratne Dilshan. They have failed to have some solidity in their batting line up. In the end of 2017 Sri Lanka toured India for a full series and lost all the three series.
Even the Sri Lankan selection panel has had a problem while choosing the team combination in the recent time. The Sri Lankan has had five captains in the limited overs format i.e. Angelo Matthews, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, Lasith Malinga and Thisara Perera.
Thisara Perera was elected the Sri Lankan ODI captain for the Indian series but they were handed a humiliation by the hands of the Indian team. However, the management has now re-elected Angelo Matthews as the captain of the limited overs format. Matthews had stepped down from the captaincy post six months ago but after the management insistence, Matthews has again taken up captaincy of the limited overs side.
Matthews said:
“When I stepped down I never thought of taking over the captaincy again. But as soon as we came back from India, the president had a discussion with me. Also Hathu aiya [Chandika Hathurusingha, Sri Lanka’s new coach], and the selectors spoke to me and asked me to consider taking up the captaincy again.”
“I took a few a few days to think about it, and because of a few reasons I decided to accept. We need stability running into the World Cup. We’ve had a few captains over the last few months because of injuries. The other captains did a good job, though we didn’t get the results. But going into the World Cup we need that stability.
“I’ve also known Hathu aiya for a long time and I know how he operates. He’s not here just to survive. It’ll be very easy to work with him. Cricket has given me a lot. If I turn my back in the hour of need I’ll not have done right by cricket.”