Reports: Angelo Mathews shows keenness to represent Sri Lanka again

Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews could be playing for his national team in the near future after making himself available for selection. Back in July, the veteran said that he was contemplating retirement after turning down a central contract offered by Sri Lanka Cricket. Under the contract, the 34-year-old veteran had to undergo a pay cut of around USD 50,000.

Mathews had said that he was disillusioned by the treatment SLC meted out to him and other senior Sri Lanka cricketers. He didn’t play the bilateral ODI and T20I series against India in July after pulling out due to personal reasons. However, it was believed that he opted out after conveying to the selectors that he was not happy with the environment where he was expected to play.

No official confirmation from Angelo Mathews or SLC

More than three months later, Mathews, reportedly, has shown willingness to don the national jersey yet again. Going by reports in ESPNcricinfo, Mathews has sent an email to the SLC about his plans to return to the Sri Lanka fold and the board is set to take a final call on Tuesday, October 12. There hasn’t been any official communication from either Mathews or SLC.

During the time when the Lankan cricketers were at loggerheads with the SLC regarding the contracts, Mathews and a few senior players faced the axe from the limited-overs teams. If Mathews makes a comeback, he may feature in Lanka’s home Tests against the West Indies in the month of November. Thereafter, he may take part in the second edition of the Lanka Premier League.

Mathews has been a key member of the Lankan team in all three formats of the sport ever since he made his debut back in 2008. In 90 Tests, 218 ODIs and 78 T20Is, Mathews has notched 6236, 5835 and 1148 runs respectively to go with 14 centuries and 81 half-centuries.

He last donned the national colours during Sri Lanka’s home Test series against Bangladesh in Pallekele. Mathews has also played for various franchises in the cash-rich Indian Premier League after making his debut in 2009, but he hasn’t found a team since the year 2017.