Mathews hoping SL can draw on the spirit of 2014

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews is hoping his players can draw on the spirit of 2014 as they landed in England to play three Test matches, starting at Headingley on 19 May.
Two years ago the Asian side arrived in the UK and won their first Test series in England after clinching the second Test, at Headingley, with the penultimate ball of the game.
Mathews said: "The 2014 series is one moment we'll cherish for the rest of our lives. We'd never won a Test series here before, so to do that was fantastic.
"If we can repeat that once again it would be ideal. It's going to be a tough challenge."
The Sri Lanka side of 2016 is somewhat different from the one that arrived in England two years ago with batting greats Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara no longer part of the set up having retired from international cricket.
Mathews admits playing in England this time of the year is a challenge, with the cold weather forecast, but says they will play fearless cricket.
The Sri Lanka sipper continued: "It will be a challenge, no matter who you have in the team, against England in England. It's going to be cold for us, the main challenge will be the weather initially.
"We are preparing ourselves the best we can. Yes, we don't have Sanga and Mahela anymore but we have to move on, take up the challenge with who we have and I believe we can win if we play to our potential.
"Most of the players haven't played that much cricket in England but we have trained extremely hard. We have some fearless players in our team so that can be a plus point: enjoy your cricket and be aggressive."
Latest
-
News
Elgar relieved Proteas on top despite ‘very very under par’ total
South Africa opener Dean Elgar was relieved the Proteas find themselves in a good position in the first Test against Pakistan.
-
News
Rotation, rotation, rotation – Chris Silverwood stands by selection policy
England will continue resting players this winter in a bid to combat challenging Covid restrictions.
-
News
Rahane happy to fill in for Kohli, but ‘Virat is the captain’
Ajinkya Rahane impressed when he skippered India to a dramatic 2-1 series win against Australia earlier this month.
-
News
England spinner Jack Leach extends Somerset stay
The news comes days after Leach helped England secure a Test series win in Sri Lanka.
-
News
Q & A: How will Joe Root’s England fare against Virat Kohli’s India?
Having beaten Sri Lanka, the tourists face a step up in quality with a four-Test trip to India.
-
News
A closer look as England claim fifth-successive overseas Test victory
The last time England achieved such a sequence was when they came from behind to defeat Australia 4-1 in the 1912-13 Ashes.
-
News
The stats that show Joe Root is on track to become England’s record Test run-scorer
The captain is now up to fourth on England’s all-time list
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 4: England sweep series with devastating display
Joe Root’s side had spent most of the first three days chasing the game in this second Test but made their move emphatically on Monday.
-
News
Joe Root urges England to ‘stay hungry’ after clinching Sri Lanka series win
The England captain wants his players to carry the form into the India series.
-
News
Jos Buttler: Everyone can learn something from watching Joe Root play spin
England’s captain scored another Test century in Galle.