Mathews: Proud to have played with Sanga

Ahead of Kumar Sangakkara's final Test, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has said that the 37 year-old will be missed for his leadership as a player and a person.
Sangakkara, who is modern-day great with more than 12000 runs in 133 Tests, will call time on his international career after the second Test against India starting at the P.Sara Oval in Colombo on Thursday.
With Sri Lanka already one-nil up after winning the first Test in Galle, Mathews said it would be a fitting tribute to Sangakkara if they could wrap up the three-match series in the next match.
Mathews said: "He means everything to all of us. As a person, as a leader and as a player he has been unbelievable to all of us.
"He has been nurturing the younger kids right throughout the system, he helps everyone on and off the field, and he is a real gentleman.
"He has been the backbone of Sri Lanka cricket, along with Mahela (Jayawardene) for so many years and I've been truly proud to play with him and to share a dressing room.
"The best thing we could do is win the series for him."
Sangakkara has opted not to play in the third Test of the series as he came to an agreement with the selectors that he would only play two matches against India before retiring.
Latest
-
News
Dan Lawrence shows early touch as Essex start strongly in Championship
There were big hundreds for Sam Robson, Tom Haines and James Vince.
-
News
Sachin Tendulkar thanks medical staff after returning home from hospital
Tendulkar was admitted to hospital last week after revealing he had tested positive for Covid-19 and had been in quarantine at home.
-
News
New Zealand name squad for their Test tour of England
New Zealand have named a 20-player squad for their tour of England, with three uncapped prospects in the group.
-
News
Jamie Porter hoping for England call after picking James Anderson’s brain
Porter was close to his England debut against India three years ago but has fallen down the pecking order.
-
News
ICC Rankings: Fakhar Zaman on the charge in ODIs
Fakhar Zaman has scored back-to-back ODI centuries in South Africa and is in red-hot form.
-
News
ICC pressing ahead with plans for T20 World Cup in India despite Covid-19 spike
Acting chief executive Geoff Allardice says the ICC is “not anywhere near” activating any contingency plans.
-
News
Matt Parkinson takes positives from England tour despite lack of game time
Parkinson did not see competitive action in Sri Lanka or India.
-
News
Ponting sheds light on Smith’s Delhi Capitals role
Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting has given some insight into where Steve Smith would fit into his side.
-
News
Akhtar ‘wouldn’t call De Kock a cheat’ but run-out not in the ‘spirit of cricket’
Shoaib Akhtar has had his say on Quinton de Kock’s controversial actions during the run-out of Fakhar Zaman.
-
News
Sarah Taylor set for playing comeback in The Hundred with Welsh Fire
Taylor put her cricketing career on hold in September 2019 when announcing her international retirement.