Cricket News

Angelo Mathews said, "I didn't expect I would play in the World Cup"

All-rounder of Sri Lanka cricket team Angelo Mathews is very eager to be part of his 4th ODI World Cup campaign, but the senior player said he was not expecting a call-up after his name was missing in the final 15 for the trip to India. Mathews was named as a replacement for young Matheesha Pathirana, who injured his shoulder on October 10.

Angelo Mathews had linked up with the Sri Lankan squad as a traveling reserve, but he was formally drafted into the squad earlier this week.
Matthews is all ready to take the field for Sri Lanka against England in Bengaluru on Thursday, and the senior all-rounder spoke about his preparation for the tournament despite not having played enough ODIs in recent years—seven in the last 3 years.
He said, "So, what I can control is to keep pushing myself individually in terms of fitness, bowling, batting, everything."

He further said, "I mean, when the opportunity comes, I have to be ready. I just did that over the last month or so. I was training extremely hard at HPC with the other boys as well. So, I was giving myself a chance to, if I get the opportunity, be prepared. But as I said, I didn't expect, because after the 15 were selected, I was not expecting. But it is what it is; the opportunity came."