Angelo Mathews Ruled Out Of The First Test Against Australia in Brisbane

Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews has been ruled out of the limited-overs leg of New Zealand tour and will also miss the first Test against Australia in Brisbane. Meanwhile, the right-hander was forced to retire hurt on the fourth day of the second Test against Kiwis. The scans revealed a grade two strain in his left hamstring.

 Mathews picked up the injury while completing a run late in the afternoon session of day four. He then retired hurt at tea and did not return to the field. Meanwhile, the injury not only weakened Sri Lanka’s chance of drawing the match but it will be a major blow for them before taking Australia.

Mathews slammed a century in the first Test against New Zealand

Angelo Mathews was Lankans best batsman in New Zealand scoring 258 runs where he got dismissed once in the series. His unbeaten 120 runs in Wellington was especially an outstanding inning. Mathews batted alongside Kusal Mendis through the entirety of day four to save that Test. Moreover, the all-rounder had sustained multiple calf and hamstring injuries over the last two years. However, the timeframe of four weeks might be slightly optimistic about the recovery.

In addition to, the veteran batsman’s injury upsets Sri Lanka’s preparations going into the World Cup. He was earlier dropped from Sri Lanka’s limited overs squad but soon returned for the three ODIs and one T20I against New Zealand under the leadership of Lasith Malinga.

The first Test match against Australia will start from January 24 followed by the second Test on February 1. Angelo Mathews is likely to return in the squad before the Test series against South Africa commencing from February 13, 2019.

The 31-year-old so far has played 80 Tests for his nation. He had scored 5554 and had slammed 33 half-centuries and nine centuries to his name.