The much-expected announcement of Angelo Mathews has finally come. With the Sri Lankan all-rounder taking over the reins of the Test and the ODI outfit, it marks a change in guard at the top, and a definite look towards the future for Lankan cricket. Even since gaining Test status, Lanka have improved significantly in all aspects and versions of the game. In fact, under Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, they had even begun to start performing better in overseas conditions, particularly in one-dayers, which has been the country’s strongest suit.
The biggest job and most significant job of Mathews as skipper will be to rebuild the team, particularly keeping in mind the youngsters who are keen to make their presence felt. In the last decade and a half, Sri Lanka have been lucky to have discovered great talents like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan. However, there comes a time when every side has to rebuild. That crucial period will begin very soon for the Lankans. The experienced trio of Sangakkara, Jayawardene and Dilshan is at the fag end of the careers. Things will be easier for Mathews as long as they are around, but once they quit, captaincy will be a real challenge for Lanka’s new leader.
In a sense, the rebuilding process has begun for the Lankans. They have dropped experienced middle-order batsmen Thilan Samaraweera for the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh. Samaraweera had a poor series in Australia, in which he did not manage a single half-century. The axe, most probably, has ended Samaraweera’s career. Dropping Samaraweera as well as appointing Mathews as skipper is a clear indication of the fact that Sri Lankan cricket is looking forward to the future, and Mathews is the man they are banking upon.
Per se, Mathews did not have a great Test series in Australia, which means that he still has some way to go before he can be recognised as a complete cricketer. But, it is also a fact that among the next generation of Lankan cricketers, he is the most suited to take over the role of leadership. Mathews has learnt his cricket at the high level, playing with the likes of Sangakkara, Jayawardene and Dilshan, which should stand him in good stead as he takes over the additional responsibility of captaincy. As a cricketer, Mathews has displayed a rare ability to perform consistently under pressure, which itself is a great quality for a leader.
In a nutshell, Mathews the captain will be the link between Lanka’s previous generation of cricketers and the upcoming ones. Having tasted success at the highest level having played the game with the most experienced of cricketers from the country, he must now look forward passing on the same knowledge and expertise that he picked up from the seniors. Only time will tell how successful Mathews will be as captain, but there are no two doubts about the fact that he is the best man to take charge as of now.
--By A Cricket Analyst
