Australia wary of Sri Lanka's Mathews
Australian skipper Michael Clarke admits his team needs to come up with a better plan to dismiss in-form Sri Lanka vice-captain Angelo Mathews.
Mathews is fast establishing a knack of producing some of his best knocks against Australia.
In 2010, Mathews struck an unbeaten 77 and combined with tail-ender Lasith Malinga for a 132-run eighth-wicket partnership to inspire Sri Lanka to an unlikely one-wicket victory over Australia at the MCG. It was almost a case of dejavu on Friday night, when Mathews (64 off 76 balls) shared a 46-run last-wicket stand with Dhammika Prasad to lift Sri Lanka to within one stroke of victory at the WACA. But needing six runs off the final two balls, Mathews holed out in the deep off the bowling of Mitchell Starc, giving Australia a five-run triumph. Although Australia held on to win, Clarke conceded more homework needed to be done on Mathews to ensure he didn't become a regular stumbling block. "He continues to make runs against us. He's that type of player. If he gets past 20 he's unstoppable," Clarke said.
"He strikes the ball as clean as anybody. "We've got to keep working on our plans to him, and be a bit more disciplined early to him and try to get him out for less than 20 more often."
Mathews, who has posted scores of 64 and 33 not out so far this series, will be aiming to continue his good form in Tuesday's clash with India and Friday's encounter against Australia.