Pathum, Kamindu could become ‘greats’ like Mahela, Sanga – Mathews

Spectators express their adoration towards Angelo Mathews in his final Test appearance at Galle

• Overwhelmed by the adoration expressed by the spectators

By Sa'adi Thawfeeq 

Retiring Test cricketer Angelo Mathews forecast that Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis could become the players to replace ‘greats’ like Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara if they continue to play the way they are doing now.

“To fill the voids of the Mahelas and the Sangakkaras is not going to be easy. They are two of the greatest cricketers the world has ever seen,” said Mathews at the end of the first Test against Bangladesh at Galle on Saturday.

“But I still believe that players like Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissanka if they keep playing the way they are playing now, they can definitely be ‘greats’ when they retire. They have that potential and they have shown that quality overseas and also at home. 

“Kamindu has proven his quality over the couple of years overseas as well as our conditions. He is a wonderful talent and certainly a player to watch out for in the future. Pathum has also shown his quality. Those two players will probably be the backbone of our batting going forward along with DDS (Dhananjaya de Silva) and (Dinesh) Chandimal.”

“I believe there is a lot of talent in our dressing room, it’s just that you need to guide and nurture them and give them a lot of confidence. It’s all about managing players. I think Sanath (Jayasuriya, the head coach) is doing a great job. Managing players and communication are two factors which can build a great environment. If you can keep the environment nice and happy and keep pushing as a team and individually, they will definitely be greats when they retire. I am retiring from the format that I loved most playing. It’s now up to the younger players to carry the baton and run.”  

Mathews said that he was overwhelmed by the adoration expressed by the spectators who turned up in their numbers to see him bid farewell to Test cricket on the final day of the Test at Galle, a venue so familiar with his career.

“It feels so special, very heartwarming, and I’m so thankful to all of them. The fans, especially from 2008 to now, they’ve been with me through thick and thin. There were a lot of ups and downs, challenges, and I was able to do it with the help of all of them,” said Mathews.

“Special mention to my family, my parents, my wife and the kids, everyone. The Almighty, he has blessed me with a wonderful career. I was hit by so many injuries and I never thought that I would reach the 100 Test match mark. But I never gave up. I just kept coming through, kept coming back, working hard.”

“Galle is a very special place for me. I played my first Test, the 100th Test and also my last Test game here. This has been a fortress for the national team for over two decades. This will always be a very special place for me.”

Mathews retired from Test cricket playing 119 matches and scoring 8,214 runs (avg. 44.40) with 16 centuries and 45 fifties. He took 33 wickets (avg. 54.48) and held onto 78 catches. His run aggregate was the third highest by a Sri Lankan after Kumar Sangakkara (12,400) and Mahela Jayawardene (11,814).

Although he is retiring from Test cricket, Mathews hasn’t quite finished with international cricket yet. He has been told by the national selectors depending on his fitness and form that there could be a place for him in the next ICC T20 World Cup which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka in January-February.

“I’ve still got six more months to go. I’ll give it my best shot for the T20 World Cup. I would love to sign off with a World Cup win. I’ll see how my body goes. If the selectors need me, I’ll do my best to do something for the country.”