Mathew feels the Lankans are still with a chance of pulling off the game
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Angelo Mathews believes Sri Lanka still has a chance of pulling off a win to level the series before heading to Colombo for the final Test. But he also credits Keaton Jennings for changing the complexion of the match with an epic catch to dismiss Dimuth Karunaratne.
“It is evenly poised,” Mathews said, after hitting a top score of 88, his third half ton in four innings. “Unfortunate I got out at a very crucial time. But we still have got a batter at the crease. Guys like Akila Dananjaya and Suranga Lakmal can bat. So we are not out of the game. If we get one good partnership we are in with a chance of a win”.
Karunaratne, who was batting extremely well, swept a turning delivery. Jennings anticipated the hit from forward short leg to get a hand to the ball which popped out. An alert Ben Foakes finally took the catch. Karunaratne was out for 57. He has shared 77 runs for the fourth wicket with Mathews.
“That changed the game,” Mathews said. “I couldn’t believe it. It was a fantastic catch. Credit should go to him. He took a brilliant catch earlier today as well and that makes a difference. Dimuth was the batsman in form. Had we got a bigger partnership we would have been in a commanding position.”
Sri Lanka trails the series 1-0, still need 75 runs with three wickets in hand to win and to pull off a series-leveling win. They stared off disastrously, losing three wickets for 26 runs, but the middle-order chipped in, giving Sri Lanka a ray of hope. Apart from Karunaratne, Roshen Silva also made a vital 37 runs but it was former skipper Mathews who was at the forefront with a resolute 88.
“My job is to score runs and not worry about other things,” he explained. “Just focus on the game and move forward and not worry about what other people are saying. If I am honest to myself, and if I am doing the thing, that’s what matters.” He batted like the colossus of past.
Mathews, who was dumped from the captaincy and dropped from the limited-over side after Sri Lanka’s early exit at the Asia Cup, is probably the best batsman now in the Sri Lankan side.
“My stats will speak on behalf of me,” Mathews said, when asked about him losing a slot in the limited-over side. “But they took a decision. Disappointed, but I cannot control about it.” He said he had not taken any extra steps to improve his skills.
“I have been training the same for the past ten years,” he explained. “I must thank the High Performance Center Staff., Asanka Gurusinha and all the coaches, physios and trainers and everyone for providing me with all the facilities and looking after me well. I prepared myself like I have always prepared. If I get the opportunity, I want to score runs.”