Angelo Mathews expected to bowl in ODI series against India

Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews is expected to bowl during the upcoming ODI series against India, according to the newly appointed ODI captain Upul Tharanga. Mathews has not bowled for a long time now due to injury troubles and this news should come as a great relief for the Sri Lankan team management.

Mathews, not bowling has certainly affected the balance of the side. The all-rounder has been the vital cog of this inexperienced side over the years and his return to the bowling department will surely bolster their confidence ahead of the challenging series coming up.

Tharanga also believed that the team will forget the terribly poor Test series and will focus on winning the ODIs. “We should forget about the last series and play well in ODIs. We have a good team. This is a chance to show our place (in the world) as a team,” the left hander said.

Importance of Mathews as an all-rounder

The 30-year-old came into the side as an all-rounder. Already in his illustrious career, he has won a lot of games for his country with his all round capabilities. The right hander would open the bowling for Sri Lanka in ODIs before the injury scare which forced him to stay away from rolling his arms. Now that he is back with the ball, Mathews would surely like to make a telling contribution in the 5-match ODI series. If the veteran is able to bowl the full quota of his overs, that will help his team in many ways.

The former skipper has scalped 111 wickets in 187 One Day Internationals with a miserly economy of 4.63 and the best figures of 6/20. As a bowler with his guile and accuracy, Mathews is surely going to pose some serious challenges for the opposition.