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Confident Mathews leads Sri Lanka in first tournament

Roar Pro
12th May, 2013
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Angelo Mathews leads Sri Lanka for the first time in a world series confident that he has the right attributes to help his team make a huge impact in the ICC Champions Trophy tournament being held in England next month.

Mathews, who took over the reins from outgoing skipper Mahela Jayawardene, has big shoes to fill. His baptism as skipper comes at a time when the gap between the best and the rest has narrowed, and anyone can pull off an upset on their day.

Sri Lanka has now established themselves as the biggest ‘chokers’ in world cricket, a mantle they snatched from South Africa who were known to buckle when tested in pressure situations.

Sri Lanka’s woeful record in World Cup and Twenty20 World Cup finals is a sure indicator of their inability to clear the crucial last hurdle. They have reached four in the past five years, but have only won a single final.

Skipper Mathews is fully aware of the record, being involved in three of them, and he is optimistic that he has the ability to set the record straight if his side makes the final.

Sri Lanka have established themselves as one of the most difficult teams to beat in the limited over’s game. Their status as number one in T20 cricket underlines their ability to turn it on more frequently than most.

Mathews has the luxury of three former skippers in the side that he can turn to for crucial decisions if the team is under pressure.

They don’t come any better than Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillekeratne Dilshan, three of the finest cricketing minds in the game today.

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With a fine blend of youth and experience at his disposal, Mathews will be looking at the younger brigade led by the dashing Dinesh Chandimal.

Lahiru Thiramanne, Thissara Perera and paceman Shaminda Eranga will also be looking to show the world that they have emerged as a force of world cricket.

Winners of the past two episodes, Australia, have experienced a marked decline in their ODI performances of late. But Australia is one team that you can never write off, such is the abundance of talent down under.

South Africa, India and Pakistan are the other favourites to step up and grab the plum.

But the front runners are the home team, England, who are currently at the top of their game. Since their success at the T20 World Cup two episodes ago their quest for silverware has been unsuccessful, and they will need to cash in soon.

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