The world-beating Angelo Mathews

The first time I saw Angelo Mathews I was surprised that someone with a name that wouldn’t sound out of place in an Australian soap opera was playing for Sri Lanka.

 

My next thought was that he was not quite good enough with either bat or ball to justify his all-rounder tag, but I could see that he was a wholehearted trier. I couldn’t help think that when Mathews was run out for 99 against India in the 3^rd test before Christmas (see picture) that he had possibly missed his best and only opportunity of a test ton.

 

But it seems that when it comes to T20 cricket he is a world beater; well certainly on the evidence of the last few days anyway.

 

First, he hit an unbeaten 65 off 46 balls for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match against the reigning champions Deccan Chargers. Given that Kolkata were 31/4 when he came to the crease, his partnership with Owais Shah was a matchwinning one. He also took 1/27 with his medium pace, which helped reign back Deccan’s reply after the flying start provided by Adam Gilchrist and VVS Laxman.

 

Then yesterday his 4/19 destroyed the innings of the Bangalore Royal Challengers to set up a second victory for his side.

 

Average test and one day all-rounder, but a world beating T20 player. Maybe there is hope for Luke Wright and Tim Bresnan yet.