NEWS
Follow UsVeteran Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews has heaped praised head coach Sanath Jayasuriya's influence on the team since he took over as the interim head coach after the T20 World Cup 2024. He replaced Chris Silverwood, who stepped down following Sri Lanka's poor show in the marquee event.
Mathews, who scored 88 in the first innings of the second Test against New Zealand in Galle, says Jayasuriya has got the team playing the Sri Lanka way of cricket since taking charge. Under the former skipper, Sri Lanka won an One-Day International (ODI) series over India, managed to claim a Test win in England and now have a 1-0 lead in the two-match series against New Zealand too.
They are well-positioned in the second Test as well as they have put up over 600 runs on the board, and have picked up a couple of wickets as well.
“He was superb as cricket director and now as coach. He communicates well, gives us freedom, and has done an amazing job grooming young players," Mathews said while addressing the media at stumps on Day Two in Galle.
“We are working towards one goal, and everyone is on the same page. He has been amazing in guiding us to play the Sri Lankan way of cricket.”
Sri Lanka have an outside chance of making the World Test Championship (WTC) final. They are currently placed third on the points table and another win will keep them in the hunt to finish in the top two. They have a couple of Tests away to South Africa in November and then welcome Australia for three Tests in January-February next year.
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