‘Stint in County helped at Eden’

Kolkata The rigours of international cricket have taken a toll on their bodies but on a lively deck and in conditions not usual to the sub-continent, Cheteshwar Pujara and Angelo Mathewsplayedinnings that have left their imprint on the first TestatEdenGardens between India and Sri Lanka. Both made 52. “Experience helps you handle suchsituations,” said Mathews, 30. Speaking after the Sri Lankan, Pujara added thattimespent in the county circuit this year had helped. “It mademeplayonmanychallenging wickets and that improved my game,” said Pujara, 29.

“You can’t worry about what happenedinthelastballbecause youareboundtogetgoodballsin every over. Youalsohavetostay positive and wait for the loose ball. It’s noteasy,” said Mathews.

It took the ball of the match so far to dismiss Pujara. “Suchconditions, especially with so many interruptions, are a test of character. I think I batted well apart from that particular delivery which surprised me with the amount of deviation,” said Pujara, talking about the ball fromLahiruGamagethatclipped his off-stump.

The sheen got taken off Mathews’ innings somewhat when he was caught at shortcover by KL Rahul. “Maybe, it (the delivery) stopped a little but noexcuses,Iwastryingtoscore,” said Mathews. That said MathewsfeltheandLahiruThirimanne should have gone for “a big one”.

Bothfeltthewickettestedbatsmen’s skills. “On the first day, it wasseaming;today(Saturday)it wasswingingandseaming.Batsmen had to fight it out. There is still alot left in thewicketforpacers,” said Mathews.

That Mathews was making a comeback from a calf muscle injury made it more difficult.

“It is not easy to get into a rhythm.It’sbeenquiteafrustrating year for me because of injuries. I think it is taking a toll on my body from 2013,” said Mathews.