Mathews to take more responsibility with the ball
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews admits that he has to take on more responsibility with ball while spinner Rangana Herath will have to play a more containing role in the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, starting on Thursday.
A right-arm seamer who is reluctant to use himself, Mathews knows that seamer friendly conditions dictates that he use his experience and bowl more.
Herath, a left-arm spinner, is prolific in subcontinent conditions and bowls much earlier in the game on home soil but will have adjust in this series.
Speaking ahead of the first Test, starting in Dunedin on Thursday, Mathews said: "I might have to bowl a few overs especially when it's seaming.
"I actually don't mind bowling quite a few overs when it's seaming, because I feel I can take quite a few wickets. Hopefully all goes well. I'm just staying focused and looking to perform myself.
"Herath's always been an attacking bowler for us, but the conditions might change his role. He might just have to hang in there till the fourth or fifth day.
"But you never know. He's a very good bowler and he can take wickets on any given track. If you're playing as a spinner in the first couple of days, you have to play a holding role. It's all about bowling in partnerships.
"You see what the wicket can do and what the conditions offer you. Then if it changes, you can change gears."
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