Angelo Mathews doubtful for the second ODI with a hamstring injury

The fact whether Sri Lankan will play with or without their skipper Angelo Mathews remains under a cloud. The skipper can be cleared to play in the 2nd ODI against England at Edgbaston on Friday only after undergoing a fitness test on Wednesday.

The Sri Lanka captain limped off the field suffering stiffness in his left hamstring after bowling six overs during Sri Lanka’s tie with England in the 1st ODI at Trent Bridge on Tuesday. The hamstring failed to improve overnight and Mathews saw a doctor in Birmingham on Wednesday to undergo further assessment.

Mathews has been a great contributor to the side. His absence would be keenly felt by Sri Lanka if he misses out. Sri Lanka may also have benefited from Mathews’ experience as captain as England chased down 286 to draw level with Sri Lanka – particularly in the final two overs when Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett plundered 30 runs, culminating in Plunkett’s six off Nuwan Pradeep’s final ball.

Sri Lanka has already been troubled with injury problems which have depleted the quality of the side. Their pace attack has been gradually depleted since the start of the tour, with the loss of Dushmantha Chameera, Dhammika Prasad and Shaminda Eranga. Mathews absence is more concerning as there’s no like-for-like replacement for the all-rounder.

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Sri Lanka’s team management has told ESPNcricinfo they were already preparing to draft a replacement for Eranga from the Sri Lanka A squad, which arrives in England on Wednesday night ahead of a series of matches against Pakistan A and England Lions. If Matthews fails to recover in time for Friday’s game, Sri Lanka may need to call in further reinforcements.