It is Going to be a Huge Achievement For Us to Beat South Africa: Angelo Mathews

Sri Lanka is on the verge of registering a 2-0 series whitewash over South Africa. Former Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews said it will be a huge achievement for the Islanders if they end up wrapping the series with ease.

The second Test is concurrently underway at Sinhalese Cricket Club (SSC) in Colombo.

South Africa is precariously placed at 139 four five. They still need 351 runs for an unlikely victory in the second Test at the SSC in Colombo.

The Sri Lankan spinners have performed quite brilliantly in the series and the South African batters haven’t been able to pick their variations. Matthews reiterated that it is always satisfying to win against a top-notch team.

“It is always satisfying to beat the top team,” Angelo Mathews was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

“South Africa has been a very good side for the past so many years and they are ranked number two. They are a good travelling side as well. Pleased with the way we have played so far. We have worked really hard. We look forward to wrapping it up tomorrow,” he added.

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Mathews says it will be an achievement

“It is going to be a huge achievement for us as we are an inexperienced side. Beating the number two team in the world is something special. We will enjoy that. But we have a job at hand tomorrow morning. The first couple of wickets are going to be crucial. If we can knock off a couple early then we can enjoy the victory,” he added.

When Sri Lanka travelled to South Africa, they were beaten by 3-0. Lanka has failed quite miserably in overseas conditions.

However, Lions thrashed Australia 3-0 in the 2016 Test series. Angelo Mathews said it is very difficult for visiting teams to adjust to the spin-friendly tracks in Asia. He further backed the host’s strategy to prepare rank turners.

“It is never easy for a foreign team, especially non-sub-continent sides to come over here and play. It is vice versa when we go to South Africa, England and Australia. The tour is tough for us. That is the challenge the visiting team has. The home team plays to its advantage,” he remarked.

“Most teams look to play to strength when they play at home. Against Australia, South Africa and England, we need to play on these kinds of surfaces. When we go to Australia and South Africa we play on tracks with grass and that is tough. So most teams exploit the home advantage,” he said.

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