Poor fitness led to mathews’ axing, claims Labrooy
Angelo Mathews was asked to step down as captain of the ODI and T20I teams due to concerns over his fitness, Chairman of the National Selection Committee Graeme Labrooy said and will be rested for next month’s home ODI series against England.
Mathews, on Sunday, sent his letter of resignation to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chief Executive Officer Ashley de Silva, after being asked by the Selection Committee and Head Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe to stand down from the role he was re-appointed to in January.
The decision to remove Mathews wasn’t particularly surprising given the public criticism against him after Sri Lanka’s dismal run in the Asia Cup, and was conveyed to him on Friday after which he was asked to resign and allow Dinesh Chandimal to take over.
It appeared to be a direct response to the team’s performance at the Asia Cup -- Mathews suggested as much in his letter of resignation -- which has severally dented their preparations for next year’s World Cup, but Labrooy claimed it was made purely based on fitness concerns.
“We felt that he was not 100% in his fitness and he’s had some injections on his knees recently. We wanted someone who will be there right through in the team, and that is why we decided to appoint Chandimal,” Labrooy told the Daily Mirror.
“The decision was taken in concurrence with Mathews,” Labrooy also said. “It was not an issue with his performance. He did have a good series against South Africa.”
Once the most utilized international cricketer, injuries have limited Mathews in the last few years resulting in extended periods out of the team, and his lack of fitness was to some degree evident in his running between the wickets and effort in the field.
He will be given time to regain fitness, Labrooy said, but played coy when asked if Mathews was still in consideration for next year’s Cricket World Cup.
“He is part of the plans as of right now,” Labrooy said.
“We will leave him out of the England ODIS because we want to give him that rest, so that he come back stronger.”
Chandimal missed the two Asia Cup defeats to Bangladesh and Afghanistan after picking up an injury during last month’s Sri Lanka Inter-provincial T20 Tournament, but appears on course to return for next month’s ODIS. “He has recovered and regained his fitness. The only concerns are with his batting but he’s scheduled to resume normal training this week,” Labrooy also said.
Mathews was appointed captain across all three formats in 2012, before reliquishing the position last year following a home series defeat to Zimbabwe. He was then reappointed as limited overs captain earlier this year, soon after Hathurusinghe took over as Head Coach.
In his letter of resignation however, Mathews painted a different picture surrounding the circumstances of his removal, saying that he was surprised by the request and felt he was being made a scapegoat for the team’s performances in the Asia Cup.
“I’m willing to take part of the blame but at the same time, feel betrayed and let down if the blame is solely put on me. As you know all decisions are taken through a mutual understanding with the Selectors and the Head Coach,” the letter which was widely circulated on social media read.
He however accepted that he was partly to blame and therefore agreed to stand down.
“And though I do not agree with the reasoning that the losses should be accrued single handed to the Captaincy, I however eagerly and wholeheartedly respect the request of the selection committee and the head coach in asking me to step down and do so with immediate effect,” it also read.
Mathews also said he had no intention to resign, given the close proximity to next year’s Cricket World Cup, but that he would go as far as considering retiring from ODIS and T20IS if the selectors thought him unfit to play those formats.
“I had no intention to quitting and running way from the issues at hand especially owing to the World Cup being only a dozen games away,” he wrote. “Furthermore as an obligation of a player I will keep working hard in all aspects of the game and will be available to represent Sri Lanka at any given time with my fullest. I also believe that if the selectors and coach are of the view that I am unfit to play ODI and T20 cricket and thus not entitled for my place in the team, I would also consider retiring from the ODI and T20 formats as I never want to be a burden to the team. I have played the game true to my conscience and have given my best at all times and have felt that I am fit enough to play the formats and also have performed adequately over a period of time to hold my place in the team,” Mathews also wrote in the letter.