Just days after he was removed as Sri Lanka’s limited-overs skipper, Angelo Mathews has been dropped from the squad for the England ODI series.
According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, Mathews has not been picked in the yet to be released squad for the five ODI clashes against England, starting next month, with his name missing from the list sent to Sri Lanka’s sports ministry for approval.
The report states that Mathews’ exclusion from the squad could be related to concerns over his fitness.
Sri Lanka suffered an embarrassing early exit from the Asia Cup and crashed out of the group stages after defeats to Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Following the team’s return from the UAE, Mathews was asked to step down from his position as skipper after a meeting between him, coach Chandika Hathurusingha and the selectors which took place last Friday.
The 31-year-old had shot back at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after the decision in a scathing letter to the CEO Ashley de Silva.
Mathews has been Sri Lanka’s most consistent ODI batsman of late.
“Though I was initially surprised, it was immediately felt that I have been made the scapegoat in this entire saga of Sri Lanka’s dismal performances against Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the Asia Cup. I’m willing to take part of the blame but at the same time, feel betrayed and let down if the blame is solely put on me,” Mathews’ letter published on ESPNCricinfo had read.
“As you know all decisions are taken through a mutual understanding with the Selectors and the Head Coach. And though I do not agree with the reasoning that the losses should be accrued single handed to the Captaincy, I however eagerly and wholeheartedly respect the request of the selection committee and the head coach in asking me to step down and do so with immediate effect,” it added.
Mathews has been Sri Lanka’s most consistent ODI batsman over the past year or so with 888 runs in 22 innings at an average of 59.20 since the turn of 2017. The five-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and England will get underway on October 10.
