ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Angelo Mathews, the Sri Lankan Marquee, will play no further part in the series against the West Indies, dealing another blow to the touring side.
Sri Lanka Cricket announced yesterday that Mathews, 33, would return home immediately to attend a “family matter” but did not elaborate.
Mathews stood in as captain for last week’s Twenty20 three-game series at Coolidge Cricket Ground here after substantial sprinter Dasun Shanaka was ruled out due to visa issues.
West Indies won the series 2-1 with Mathews performing poorly, managing scores of five, 13 and 11. He also appeared in Wednesday’s International One-Day Open where he also failed five, as Sri Lanka went down eight wickets at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
Mathews, who is average 45 with the bat in Tests and 41 in ODIs, is one of the top members in the side and was expected to play a key role in both formats.
His sudden return home comes on the heels of several leading players being ruled out of the tour due to injury and illness. West Indies challenges Sri Lanka in the second ODI today.