By: Tarish Bhatt
The Sri Lankan team has received a major boost ahead of the India clash. Their captain Angelo Mathews has recovered from a calf injury, and will play against the sub-continent rivals at The Oval tomorrow.
Mathews, however, hasn’t recovered enough to deliver his full compliment of overs in a must-win clash. He will play as a pure batsman in Sri Lanka’s crucial tie against the defending champions.
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“The injury is much better now. I could have probably played the last game,” Mathews revealed. “But there was a chance of risk. So the management and the selectors decided that I shouldn’t play.”
“But I’m fully fit now,” the Sri Lankan captain insisted. “I won’t be bowling, but I’m fully fit to play as a batsman.”
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Mathews scored a 95 against the Aussies in the warm-up game. He then picked up the injury and missed Sri Lanka’s opening tie against South Africa. The Islanders need a favourable result to remain in hunt of reaching the semis.
Sri Lanka squad: Angelo Mathews (c), Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Chamara Kapugedera, Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Kulasekara, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan and Seekkuge Prasanna
