Bipin Dani, in Lahore Times, 19 January 2018 where the title is Key player Angelo Mathews will be advised longer rest during off season” .… Our change of title is considered.. see comment at end = Editor, Cricketique
Sri Lanka’s regular captain Angelo Mathews, who has been rested for two matches in Bangladesh will need “enough rest” to overcome his frequent hamstring injury problem. This was revealed by Pro. Arjuna de Silva, the member of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board medical panel. Speaking exclusively over telephone from Colombo, he said, “Angelo Mathews is our key player and we can / could not afford him to miss longer”.
“He was chosen to lead the team keeping our long-term plan. Unfortunately he will be missing the two matches (Chandimal led the side against Bangladesh on including the next tie against Zimbabwe on Sunday). Hopefully he will play the remaining matches on this tour”.
“We also hope he will play the tri-nation series (Independence Cup) in Sri Lanka but will take few weeks rest before our team departs for West Indies in June. He needs no surgery but will have enough rest before that tour and we have no competitive cricket during the time”, Prof. Arjuna added.
A COMMENT: Angelo is an invaluable player, but has has recently had continuous hamstring (and other?) injury problems. The recurrence of these strains has recurring ramifications when they occur during play -as Mahinda wijesinghe has clarified in a recent article. However, important he is, he should not be in the squad let alongne in the playing XI if he is so prone to debilitating movement.
The good doctor’s review indicates the muddled and wishful thinking that has guided SLC on this knotty question. How can Mathews be fit in a few days time if he requires a period of rest? Indeed, one can ask if the good doctor should be the team’s good doctor? Wishful thinking is not medicare.