Mathews hails team’s attacking efforts

Saturday, 5 April 2014 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Choosing which West Indies bowlers to attack and taking risks at the end proved fruitful, says Sri Lanka all-rounder

On a day when Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara failed to get going, when Tillakaratne Dilshan was involved in two run-outs, one of which cost him his wicket, Sri Lanka’s hero was Angelo Mathews. Coming in to bat at No. 6, Mathews was the difference between Sri Lanka posting a mediocre score and one that would put the pressure back on the opposition.

When a potent mix of rain and hail, backed up by gusting winds, thunder and lightning brought West Indies’ chase to an end after 13.5 overs, handing Sri Lanka the win by 27 runs (Duckworth-Lewis method), the first semifinal of the ICC World Twenty20 2014 on Thursday (3 April) was interestingly set up. Although Sri Lanka was ahead, West Indies’ power hitters were yet to come, and the team’s penchant for leaving things to the end cost it. “It would have been great if we had played the 20 overs, and it would have been a good, close game as well. Well, thanks to the weather we are in the final and we deserve to be in the final, because we have played some good cricket,” said Mathews, man of the match for his critical unbeaten 23-ball 40. “After the first half, we got to know that there might be bit of rain. But we didn’t play for the rain, because you can’t really predict the rain. We just had to keep them tight and get wickets because they have some really big hitters, and if they get going we can’t stop them. We had to take wickets to push them back. Lasith (Malinga) came to bowl in the first six overs, which he doesn’t do normally, but he had to come in then because we needed our best bowler to come and strike for us and he did that.” It was Mathews’ late charge that made the difference, and he explained his mindset at the time. “I never got a signal (from the dressing-room on when to cut loose). We just had to calculate, be wise in choosing our options and bowlers to attack,” said Mathews. “Attacking Narine wasn’t an option. We wanted to get seven to eight runs off Narine and capitalise from the other end. From the 16-over mark, we just had to take the risks.” Very few teams have succeeded in taking on Krishmar Santokie at the death, but Mathews was clear in his plans, and he got the execution spot on. “We just had to take correct options. We had to find our bowlers. I was feeling pretty comfortable against Andre (Russell) and Santokie. We knew that if we get to 150-160, it will be a good score with our bowling attack,” said Mathews. “In a semifinal like this, putting the runs on the board will always be pressure for the side batting second. We were aiming at 150-160, and I’m glad we were able to get to that.” Mathews was helped along by Lahiru Thirimanne, who was retained in the XI despite the availability of Dinesh Chandimal, who missed Sri Lanka’s last match through suspension for slow over rates. “Thiri has been batting really well. We just talked about rotating the strike and trying to get those ones and twos, because the boundary from one end was a little bigger, so you had a chance to get those twos,” said Mathews of his partner. “We wanted to build a partnership and launch at the end. Thiri batted brilliantly once again and hopefully he will continue that in the final as well.” Mathews was all praise for Chandimal and the decision he took in the team’s best interests. “It was a collective decision – the selectors, management, Chandimal. You got to do what’s best for the team all the time, regardless of who you are,” said Mathews. “I think he opted out, and he was brilliant in that. He wanted the best XI on the park. I think it was a great decision and a brave one.” Sri Lanka did not have a preference of which team it would like to face in the final, and the winner of the India-South Africa match will come into the last game knowing that Sri Lanka has now had a taste of the conditions in Mirpur. “The last game in Chittagong, the pitch was a bit slow and it turned a little bit, which helped our spinners,” said Mathews. “We have played on this wicket in the last couple of months. We were aware of conditions. It was a good wicket, the ball was coming on pretty well. For the seamers, if you bowl your slower balls, it gripped a little bit.” The bowlers and batsmen both came to the party on Thursday. It was no wonder that Mathews did not especially care who his team was up against in Sunday’s final.

Almighty wants Sanga, Mahela to win World Cup: Sammy

Press Trust of India: The affable Darren Sammy was graceful in defeat and said that may be God wants Sri Lankan legends Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara to get a chance to savour the taste of winning a World Championship trophy in their swansong T20 international event. “Today, there were two gentlemen (Sangakkara and Jayawardene) who gave a lot not only to Sri Lankan cricket but to cricket as a whole. May be the Almighty wants them to win a World Cup and leave on a high. Probably, God wants them to win a World Cup and that’s why He put his hand in this so that they get another match,” Sammy said. A dominant Sri Lanka today made it to the ICC World T20 final for the third time knocking out defending champions West Indies by 27 runs via the Duckworth Lewis method after thundershowers stopped proceedings in the second innings. “We will obviously come back stronger in 2016 and have another shot at the Cup. Sri Lanka have played better cricket and have deservingly reached the final,” Sammy said, disappointment written large on his face. When he was asked as to who will win the World Cup, the sadness became more evident. “It doesn’t matter to me now. I am just gutted that we won’t be playing the World Cup final. But it will be an exciting event and I would wish all three teams luck,” Sammy said. The West Indies skipper said that he has never ever seen this kind of hailstorm in his life. “I was quite intrigued when it started. I thought people were pelting stones. Never seen something like this before in my life,” Sammy said with a smile. Asked about the number of dot balls (27) played between Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, he said, “I am not going to answer that.” After a few moments when the same question was repeated by another scribe, he did admit that rotating the strike and Marlon Samuels’ off-form in the tournament has been a factor. “When you lose a game of cricket, people point out at lot of things. I know it is not an ideal situation but we have somehow developed a strategy where we can score around 12 runs per over in last six overs. We have good boundary hitters but we do need to improve in rotating the strike. Marlon obviously is not in good touch but he is one of our better batsmen.” On the final two overs of the Sri Lankan innings, Sammy conceded that Dwayne Bravo’s side strain was a reason for not giving him a bowl at the death. “Santokie and Russell have done well for us at the death. But today they were off-colour and it can happen.” Sri Lanka’s hero of the day Angelo Mathews felt that it does not matter as to who is their opponents in the final. “In any case, we need to beat them to win the Cup. Actually, we did not play for the rain. We only came to know at the innings break that there is a possibility of rain. We would have ideally liked to play the full 20 overs and won rather than by D/L method.”