Mathews: Attitude and intensity was superb

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said his side’s “attitude and intensity was superb” as they bounced back to beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets in Galle to level the five-match series at 1-1.
After going down in a shock loss in the first ODI on Friday, the home team bowled their opponents out for just 155 with left-arm spinner Lakshan Sandakan taking 4/52 and 19-year-old debutant Wanidu Hasaranga snaffling a hat-trick.
The hosts had no problem in knocking off the runs as the skipper himself was there at the end with top-scorer Upul Tharanga, who made an unbeaten 75.
REPORT: Hat-trick for debutant as Sri Lanka level series
Mathews said after the game: “I wouldn’t call it a clinical performance. We still dropped catches. The attitude and intensity was superb, though.
“We just need to regroup, and it was great effort from the boys. Sandakan was absolutely brilliant, so was Wanidu. Credit should go to the selectors to pick him. I, honestly, haven’t seem him much.
“Chasing a modest total, is not easy if you lose a couple of wickets early on. We can’t thank Upul Tharanga enough. He has moved up and down the order to accommodate others. He has been an unlucky player. Can’t thank him enough.”
The third ODI takes place in Hambantota on Thursday.
Latest
-
News
Pakistan limited overs tour to South Africa confirmed
Pakistan will play three One-Day International and four Twenty20 Internationals on their tour of South Africa.
-
News
England right to drop ‘tired’ Dom Bess, says spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel
Bess struggled in the second innings of the first Test against India.
-
News
Stuart Broad returns to England side aiming to improve average record in India
Broad will look to add to his 70 career wickets at an average of 25.67 against one of the format’s strongest teams.
-
News
The main talking points ahead of England’s second Test against India
The tourists are 1-0 ahead in the series.
-
News
James Anderson and Dom Bess drop out as England gamble on four changes
Jos Buttler has been sent back home for a break and Jofra Archer is ruled out with an elbow injury.
-
News
James Anderson rested and Dom Bess dropped ahead of second Test
England are making changes in Chennai.
-
News
Stuart Broad offers another string to England’s bow as Jofra Archer misses out
The tourists have options with the ball despite injury setback.
-
News
Kyle Jarvis out for six months after triple infection
Kyle Jarvis has been to hell and back thanks to a health scare that involved three deadly diseases.
-
News
Jofra Archer ruled out of second Test with elbow injury
England have a selection dilemma over who replaces the Sussex seamer.
-
News
Ben Foakes is back and so are India’s cricket fans
Up to 15,000 fans will be in the stadium at Chennai as the wicketkeeper makes his England comeback.