Angelo Mathews not impressed with Smith's decision to fly off mid-tour

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Steven Smith Australia and Angelo Mathews Sri Lanka
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Australian cricket captain Steven Smith (R) and Sri Lankan cricket captain Angelo Mathews. (Photo by STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Australian skipper Steve Smith and team management took a surprising decision as he flew back home mid-ODI series to rest ahead of the more important tours that follow the Sri Lanka series. David Warner was handed over the captaincy for the remainder of the ODIs and the T20I series but this decision hasn’t gone down well with former cricketers and experts as well as the opposition skipper Angelo Mathews.

Ahead of the 3rd ODI Mathews said that he wouldn’t have left his players alone mid-way through a difficult tour like his Aussie counterpart has done. On flying back home Smith had said, “I hate missing cricket but in the long run it will do me a world of good,”

He had said that chief selector Rod Marsh and coach Darren Lehmann wanted him to take a break but he took time to decide but eventually gave in. “The schedule is very busy. I still want to take on the role in all three formats and do it to the best of my ability.” Smith said.

Mathews further added, “They have their own player-management system,”

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“But honestly, if it was me I wouldn’t have because it is a tough tour and you need the captain alongside the playing 11.

“I don’t think we as players have any issues with that.”

Players from both Sri Lanka and Australia had to face disciplinary action against them after the second game. Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc was reprimanded by the match referee for throwing the ball towards Dinesh Chandimal. Sri Lankan allrounder Thisara Perera who gave David Warner a send off after dismissing him was fined 15% of his match fees. “It was just the heat of the moment. It happens all the time,” Mathews said.

“We’ve exchanged a few words. It happens in cricket.

“The guys can go a little overboard sometimes and that’s why the ICC have to step in and take those decisions.

“We have played the game in good spirit so far and hopefully we can continue in the same manner in the next few games as well.”

The allrounder also said that he expects Warner to be “aggressive”.

“David Warner is an aggressive player,” Mathews said.

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“Regardless of Steven Smith or David Warner as the captain, we have to concentrate on all the playing 11 and try to beat them once again tomorrow.”

He feels that his team has the edge over the visitors after the thrashing they served in the Test series.

“It’s one-all and it’s anyone’s game. Yes we have the slightest edge but we’re not going to take it lightly,” he said.

One of the most reliable Sri Lankan openers Tillakaratne Dilshan will retire from ODIs after 3rd ODI and the skipper said that he is a great and won’t be easy to find an immediate replacement.

“He has equalled the services of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara,” Mathews said.

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