Sri Lanka stalwart Kumar Sangakkara has called for Angelo Mathews and head coach Chandika Hathurusingha to patch up their differences following the former’s ouster from the ODI and T20 squads.
Mathews was asked to step down as Sri Lanka’s limited-overs skipper following the team’s group-stage exit in the Asia Cup. The 31-year-old had said that he was being made the ‘scapegoat’ of Sri Lanka’s debacle in his resignation letter to the board.
Mathews was then dropped from the limited-overs squad for Sri Lanka’s upcoming series against England with Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal being reinstated as the ODI captain.
The official reasoning for dropping the former skipper was said to be ‘fitness’ related with Hathurusingha bringing up Mathews’ record of being involved in run-outs in public.
Sangakkara, on his part, has urged Hathurusingha and Mathews to patch up their differences at the earliest.
“I think this breakdown of communication needs to be sorted quickly,” Sangakkara was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Sangakkara has urged Mathews to take up bowling
“It needs to be sorted through direct, honest and clear conversations between captain, the management and the player concerned. They need to make sure, also, that the public has the right idea of why this decision has been taken, especially at an emotional time.
“What they have to be careful is that it’s not a knee-jerk reaction to the team’s performance at the Asia Cup, but it’s actually a worthwhile decision for the side. But I really think that with Hathurusingha’s strategy, Angelo will find himself back in the side very soon.”
Once an all-round force for his country, Mathews has been relegated to playing purely as a batsman in recent times after injuries and fitness-related concerns took a toll on his bowling. Sangakkara believes getting Mathews to bowl again is the key to Sri Lanka’s chances in next year’s ICC World Cup in England.
“Angelo’s performances in the past suggest that he’s a player of great value to the side. I think it’s very important to get Angelo bowling again,” the Sri Lankan batting great said.
“I think it does his confidence a lot of good. It does the Sri Lankan side a lot of good. And whoever is captain – whether it’s Angelo or Dinesh Chandimal – it gives them a lot of options to use a multi-skilled cricketer in different situations. All of that is going to be absolutely vital to their chances at the World Cup,” he added.