Mathews reveals Sangakkara chat before Wellington rescue act

Angelo Mathews has revealed that he picked the brain of Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara before he played his epic innings to help the visitors secure a draw in the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington.
Mathews and Kusal Mendis teamed up for an unbeaten partnership of 278 as the pair rescued Sri Lanka and help keep the series level going into the final Test that starts on Boxing Day in Christchurch.
Having been reduced to 13/3 on the third day, the tourists didn’t lose a wicket for the entire fourth day and with the fifth day frequently interrupted by rain, the game was called off well before time and ended in a draw.
Mathews was unbeaten on 120 while Mendis was 141 not out at the end of the game and the former recalled a chat he had with Sangakkara before the Test.
ALSO READ: Williamson gives high praise to Sri Lanka batting duo
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Mathews said: “I had a chat to Kumar Sangakkara before the match, because he had got a double-hundred in Wellington in the last match we played here.
“I just wanted to know how he went about it, and what his thought process was.
“Mostly, we spoke about thought process and shot selection. He talked me through the shot selection that he used for each different bowler, and how he tackled them.
“Then I used my experience of the matches which I played here. I used that as an experience as well and took his advice too.”
Mathews batted for more than three sessions with Mendis, who, at just 23-year-old, is an emerging talent for Sri Lanka, and the batsmen kept exchanging ideas in middle as to how to get through tough periods as New Zealand fast bowlers came hard at them with short-pitched bowling.
Mathews added: “It was a very important day and a very important three sessions for the entire team, and the team always comes first,” Mathews said.
“It’s always nice to see that kind of maturity in such a young player. With our experience we know we will get better at our games, but he’s a step ahead.
“He put the team first and we did what the team needed us to do. We kept exchanging our ideas.”
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2017 – Joe Root makes 184no in first innings as England captain
Root impressed in the first Test against South Africa.
-
News
A golden summer for England’s Yorkshire run machines
Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow have been responsible for seven centuries between them.
-
England
Joe Root relishing being a ‘rock star’ after England’s historic win over India
New Test captain Ben Stokes wants team to be entertainers.
-
England
Fans found guilty of racist abuse at Edgbaston face bans from cricket grounds
Investigations have been launched into allegations of abuse during the fifth Test between England and India.
-
England
England’s historic chase of 378 against India is eighth-highest of all-time
West Indies hold the Test record with 418 against Australia in 2003.
-
England
England complete record chase of 378 to beat India and level series
England completed a staggering seven-wicket success as Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow saw them comfortably over the line.
-
England
Ben Stokes’ England revelling in thrill of the chase
The Test team completed the largest fourth-innings run chase in their history against India.
-
News
Allegations of racist abuse among the crowd at Edgbaston being investigated
The Bharat Army has claimed “many” of its members were targeted.
-
England
Edgbaston officials to investigate allegations of racist abuse among crowd
The claims were highlighted by former cricketer Azeem Rafiq.
-
News
Alex Lees: England have ultimate belief they can complete chase against India
India set the winning line at 378, higher than any England side has ever managed, but the hosts need just 119 more with seven wickets in hand.