We can win if we play to our potential: Angelo Mathews

An exodus of quality players from the side and a substandard performance in the World T20 has seen many questions the chances of Angelo Mathews and his young Sri Lankan side when they tour England later this year. The Lankan skipper reiterated that his side did indeed have the potential to replicate the series win the last time they made their way to England. He also added that the most important aspect was to acclimatize to the weather conditions.

“We’ve got some fearless players in our side and that can be a plus for us,” Mathews said in his first press conference of the tour on Friday (May 6). “The main challenge is going to be the weather for us, initially. We’re preparing ourselves as well as we possibly can. I believe we can still win if we play to our potential.”

The last time around, the Lankans rode on the heroics of Kumar Sangakkara. In what is somewhat of an irony, Sangakkara will be playing during the same time the Lankans will be on tour. Only this time, he will be plying his trade for the Surrey county in the county championship.

“We don’t have Sangakkara and Mahela anymore, that we had in 2014, but we’ve got to move on, we’ve got to take on the challenge,” Mathews observed. “The 2014 series is one moment we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives. We’d never won a Test series here before, so to do that was fantastic. If we can repeat that once again, it would be ideal. It’s going to be a tough challenge.”

“We’ve lost some fantastic players and it’s a young inexperienced group that (has) come,” he said. “We have come here to win this Test series and I believe we can do that. More importantly, it’s about growing a team. I’d rather have a young team getting better than an old one past their best.”

“The England Test side is a very good unit indeed and surprised some people in winning the Ashes convincingly and then winning in South Africa. That sent out a message as to what a good team they are. It’s a challenge for us but also exciting and there’s no better way to grow a young team than to play against a really good outfit.”

Sri Lanka begins their tour at Chelmsford against Essex on Sunday and will also face Leicestershire next week before the first Test in Leeds on May 19.

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