Duo to take reins as Mathews quits

– Sri Lanka appointed two new captains yesterday to replace Angelo Mathews (right), who resigned after his side’s humiliating home series defeat to bottom-ranked Zimbabwe.

Dinesh Chandimal will lead the Test side while Upul Tharanga will captain in limited-overs matches.

The reshuffle caps a turbulent period for the beleaguered Sri Lankan side, whose loss to Zimbabwe followed a fitness and coaching crisis and an early departure from the Champions Trophy.

Mathews said he took the blame for Sri Lanka’s recent woes, and was making room so his successor could prepare the side for the World Cup in 2019.

“There were times when I wanted to step down, but I did not want to let the team down at that time because there were no replacements as such,” he said. “But I feel this is the right time.”

Mathews bore the brunt of the criticism levelled at Sri Lanka’s cricketers in the aftermath of their 3-2 series loss at home to minnows Zimbabwe on Monday.

The struggling side entered the series without a coach after Graham Ford’s sudden exit following their poor showing in the Champions Trophy last month.

Sri Lanka’s sports minister delivered the squad an ultimatum after that performance, ordering players to get in shape or face the boot after declaring them unfit to compete on the world stage. – AFP