SL Vs AUS: Angelo Mathews Available For Second Test Against Australia; Recovers From Covid-19

Sri Lanka batter Angelo Mathews has recovered from Covid-19 and is expected to be available for the upcoming second Test against Australia which will be played in Galle. He will be joining the Sri Lankan squad on Tuesday.

Angelo Mathews will complete his isolation period on Tuesday after he tested positive for Covid-19 on the third day of the first Test and should be available for selection.

He had missed the first Test match after contracting the deadly virus and was ruled out of the game on the third morning just prior to play starting. Oshada Fernando was named as his replacement. Protocols only allowed for players to be tested if they present with symptoms. Mathews’ case was the first on the tour.

Sri Lankan Cricket also informed that Mathews will also be available for the second Test against Australia on Friday.

“Angelo Mathews, who contracted Covid-19 has recovered and will be available for selections for the 2nd Test. Medical clearance has been given for the player to engage in the game. Accordingly, Mathews will rejoin the team, starting today,” tweeted SLC.

? Update on Angelo Mathews

Angelo Mathews, who contracted Covid-19 has recovered and will be available for selections for the 2nd Test.
Medical clearance has been given for the player to engage in the game.
Accordingly, Mathews will rejoin the team, starting today.#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/rCpyjZah7t

— Sri Lanka Cricket ?? (@OfficialSLC) July 5, 2022

Sri Lanka Include Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage And Lakshitha Manasinghe For Second Test

Though Mathews has recovered from his Covid infection, Sri Lanka lost the services of left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama who has been ruled out with Covid-19. Sri Lanka also dropped Lasith Embuldeniya.

This led to Sri Lanka including spinners Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, and Lakshitha Manasinghe for the second Test against Australia in Galle. 19-year-old Wellalage, who is also a left-arm spinner, was the leading wicket-taker in the ODI series with nine at 22.33 and could also add depth to Sri Lanka’s batting order if he debuts.

Right-arm finger spinner Theekshana may have taken only 4 wickets in the five ODIs, but he caused Australia problems during the white-ball leg of the tour.

On the other hand, offspinner Manasinghe, 22, played in the four-day series against Australia A last month where he collected 13 wickets across the two matches in Hambantota.

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