Mathews acclaims roles played by Sanath and Upul

Tuesday, 17 June 2025 02:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Angelo Mathews addresses media at Galle yesterday

Communication is key to good performance says retiring former SL Captain

Former Sri Lanka Captain Angelo Mathews who will retire from Test cricket at the end of the first Test against Bangladesh starting at the Galle International Cricket Stadium today acclaimed the roles played by Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya and Chief Cricket Selector Upul Tharanga.

“Since Sanath took over, and Upul Tharanga and his team took over, the communication part has been extremely good. They always communicated with us whether it was seniors or juniors or whoever it was. Communication is what matters,” said Mathews at the media conference held at Galle yesterday ahead of his retirement.

“Communication is the key to having a good environment and the performance will follow. We’ve seen that. We’ve done extremely well in Test matches and we had a chance to be in the final. Then in the ODI’s and T20I’s we did extremely well in the last two years.”

“The communication was clear and the environment was very good, that’s why the performance was also getting better and better. I think they’re doing a great job. There is quite a lot of talent. Quite a lot of players come through the ranks. The future looks bright.”

Retirement from any form of life brings a sense of sadness. Mathews said, “It’s obviously a cycle. We all come and go. There are many past cricketers who were greats. We also came as youngsters and now we leave as seniors. There will be players to replace us. There are good youngsters if they’re shown the correct path, they’ll be great players.”

As Mathews brings a 17-year Test career to a close reflecting on the past said, “From 2008 (when he made his ODI debut), I’ve seen everything I should see as a cricketer up to now. There were challenges in my career, on and off the field. I took them on as it was. I think I did the right thing at every decisive moment.”

“As players, the decisions we make may go wrong at times. Even as a Captain, we have to make certain decisions and it could go wrong. That’s because this is a sport. But, as I look back, I feel happy because I’ve been taking the best possible decision I could have taken at the time. Also, I contributed 100% depending on those decisions.”

Reflecting on some of the high points of his illustrious Mathews said, “There are a few innings. One was in Melbourne in 2010 where we won that ODI match. Of course, the Test series win against England in England in 2014. Also, the 3-0 win against Australia in 2016 in Sri Lanka. Never to forget the 2014 T20 World Cup win. Winning a World Cup is a dream for any player. Those are the high points of my career.

I’m really happy to be a member of those teams.” – [ST]

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