Mathews steps down as Sri Lanka captain

Angelo Mathews has stepped down as captain of Sri Lanka across all three formats following a 3-2 ODI series defeat at home against Zimbabwe.
The 30-year-old Mathews was appointed in 2013 and led his country in 34 Tests, 98 ODIs and 12 T20Is but the series loss to Zimbabwe was the final blow as he described it as “one of the lowest points in my career.”
Sri Lanka achieved great things under the allrounder, notably winning a Test series in England for the first time in 2014 and also whitewashing Australia in the longest format at home last year.
However, the team has struggled since the retirement of senior players, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, after the 2015 World Cup in Australia.
Under Mathews’ leadership Sri Lanka has suffered two whitewashes in the Test format in New Zealand and a similar fate was had in the three-match series in South Africa earlier this year.
The team was disappointing at the 2016 World T20 – and also exited the Champions Trophy at the group stages last month.
Sri Lanka will now have to appoint a new skipper before the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, which starts in Colombo on Friday.
Latest
-
News
Darren Stevens ‘looking forward to the ‘next chapter’ as his Kent innings ends
The all-rounder will leave Kent after 17 years at the end of the season.
-
News
Darren Stevens announces his retirement at the age of 46
The all-rounder’s 17-year stint at Kent will end later this year.
-
The Hundred
Hundred history-maker Will Smeed: ‘I very much still want to play everything’
The rising star of the white-ball game could be on England’s radar.
-
The Hundred
Lauren Winfield-Hill stars as Oval Invincibles begin title defence with big win
The home side defeated the Northern Superchargers by nine wickets.
-
News
Sam Curran the main man as Oval Invincibles beat Northern Superchargers
Curran scored 60 in his side’s three-wicket win at the Kia Oval.
-
England
England opener Alex Lees keen to see aggressive approach adopted in county game
The Durham batter has used the break in Test cricket to spread the word.
-
The Hundred
‘It was awesome’ – Will Smeed ends his 90s curse to hit Hundred’s first century
The youngster had fallen short of a maiden century on multiple occasions during the first half of 2022.
-
The Hundred
Will Smeed becomes first batter to hit ton in Hundred during Birmingham win
The opener cracked an unbeaten 101 off 50 balls.
-
England
Women’s game on upward trend and schools an important target – Anya Shrubsole
The 30-year-old pace bowler was restricted to competing against boys during childhood.