Mathews optimistic of Lanka’s chances at Twenty20 World Cup

Anuradha Abeysekera

Sri Lanka's Vice Captain Anjelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis and Thisara Perera faced a friendly Q and A session with the media personnel at the Cinnamon Grand hotel yesterday prior to the commencement of T20 World Cup on September 18.

Anjelo Matthews	Ajantha Mendis	Thisara Perera. Pictures by Rukmal Gamage

Vice Captain Mathews has been very optimistic with the recently concluded SLPL tournament and said it has been a good preparation for the T20 World Cup. He also said that except for few players all other s in the World Cup squad have took part in the SLPL.

When asked about his batting position, Mathews said that even though he prefers to bat in top order he is ready to come in the tail as well according to the teams’ necessity.

“ I dont feel much difference being the Vice Captain or just a batsman as far as my concern is to do my best for the team. Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara and the new found talent Akila Dhananjaya are having a great season with the bowl and Sri Lanka will field a good combination. Dhanajaya is a very gutsy cricketer with good variation and a grip which also can be the triumph card for the Sri Lanka,” the Vice Captain said.

“Pitch conditions are very hard to predict and can be varied with the weather situation, but we are ready to come up with our best performances despite ground conditions. We will focus a one match at a time and look forward to make progress,” Mathews further explained.

Commenting on injuries, the Vice Captain said that they were bit worried about player injuries as some cricketers suffered few months back but now Sangakkara, Kulasekara and Ajantha have fully recovered so the team can face the World Cup with a strong mentality.

The spin marvel Ajantha Mendis who had his longest vacation in cricket life due to an injury is back in the team after nine months and said that he is fully prepared to repeat his bowling magics.

“I played six matches after my recovery in SLPL and captured 11 wickets. That has boost my confidence a lot. I feel better with all my five kinds of bowling variations again and hope to test one or two in the certain raiser against Zimbabwe. When inquired whether he hopes to introduce any new variation Ajantha siad that he will more concentrate on his line and length with the old five variations.

When asked whether he is confident over Indian batsmen, Ajantha said that his Indian wicket haul is higher in number when compared to other teams and hope to perform his best in the tournament. Ajantha also said as Rangana Herath and Akila Dhananjaya are also doing great there will be a stiff competition to enter the top 11 in Sri Lanka team. As an all rounder, Thisara Perera hopes to do his best in his second T20 World Cup this time. “I like all three formats, but have played more ODIs and T20s. I have only played six Test matches but do not alter my playing style based on the format. As long as I see the bowl properly I will play my usual style.

“I cant figure out a particular position and ready to bat at any slot. I hope to capture as much as wickets and will try to minimize the runs in disadvantageous pitches with the bowl. Though we do not have much experience in Hambantota it'll be a windy ground. Sri Lanka has won nearly 75% matches played there. Pallekale will be much better for fast bowlers and wicket is very flat in the night.

“It is easy to seem the bowl than swing at Pallekale and I like it. Keththaramaya has been a good batting wicket over the years. The team is in high spirit and ready to perform our best in all three venues,” said Thisara Perera.