Angelo Mathews to miss Test series against Bangladesh

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Saturday confirmed that their regular captain Angelo Mathews will miss the upcoming 2 match Test series against Bangladesh at home starting from 7th March. Mathews sustained a hamstring injury during the 2nd T20I against the Proteas in Johannesburg which forced him to miss the final T20I against South Africa and the three-match T20I series in Australia.

“I am bitterly disappointed with the outcome after meeting the doctors last night. Since returning home, the doctors in Colombo, who are in consultation with a specialist in the UK wanted to take a further look in four weeks time. I was told last night that it will now take a few more weeks. Now the target for me is somewhere during the one-day series. Let’s see how the rehab goes. I am working on it. I twisted my ankle as well, but that’s fine. The problem is with my hamstring,” Mathews was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

According to reports from reliable sources, it is expected than veteran spinner Rangana Herath will the team for the Test series in Mathews’ absence. Chandimal captained the side in the final T20I against South Africa but was dropped from the subsequent 5 match ODI series which followed. Sanath Jayasuriya who is the chairman of selectors had advised Chandimal to go back to club cricket and fine tune his technique before returning to international fold again.

Mathews had also missed the tri-series in Zimbabwe earlier in 2016 also involving West Indies after he tore his calf muscle while playing the 4th ODI against Australia back in August. This also enabled veteran Rangana Herath to become the oldest ever Sri Lankan player to captain a Test side.

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The tour of Bangladesh will kick off with a two-day warm-up match before they move to Galle and Colombo to play the two Tests from March 7. Mathews is expected to make a comeback during the limited overs leg which comprises of two ODI’s and 3 T20I’s.