He couldn’t reproduce his come-from-behind century from 10 years ago, but at least the former captain showed some steel after tourists’ poor start
It is a slightly odd assertion, given that it started with them losing their first three wickets for six runs and limping to the first lunch break at 80 for five, but for most of the opening two days of this game Sri Lanka played well. They fought back to post an acceptable first-innings score, and their efforts in the field on Thursday were enterprising and regularly rewarded. But until Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis led a late fightback, they flirted dangerously with marking the day that Manchester launched its annual Pride festival by surrendering their own.
At least Mathews regained his. Having failed to score in his team’s first innings and then punctuated their efforts in the field with a succession of half-hearted ball chases – at 37 he is perhaps not at his most athletic – in their second, and with his side in dire need, he batted his side, if not anywhere near ascendancy, at least back into the game.
Written by Simon Burnton at Emirates Old Trafford
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/aug/23/angelo-mathews-regains-some-pride-after-sri-lanka-are-caught-cold under the title “Angelo Mathews regains some pride after Sri Lanka caught cold by England | Simon Burnton”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
