Selectors drop Mathews citing fitness issues, he requests a test

Mathews has shown resentment towards selectors decision by sending a letter to SLC CEO Ashley de Silva, stating that he had been made the “scapegoat” for Sri Lanka’s failure at the Asia Cup.

Sri Lanka’s recently sacked captain Angelo Mathews was dropped from the ODI squad due to concerns over his fitness. However, Mathews had responded immediately by asking the selectors to allow him to take a fitness test.

As per reported by ESPNcricinfo, the meeting between Mathews, selectors and Chandika Hathurusingha in which he was asked to step down from the captaincy -  concern over his fitness was a huge concern too. Also, in order to prevent the risk of injury, Hathurusingha asked him not to take a yo-yo test ahead of the Asia Cup.

Mathews has shown resentment towards selectors decision by sending a letter to SLC CEO Ashley de Silva, stating that he had been made the “scapegoat” for Sri Lanka’s failure at the Asia Cup.

Since the start of 2017, despite having made 888 ODI runs, at an average of 59.20, across 22 innings with a strike rate of 76.35, Mathews had been sluggish between the wickets during the Asia Cup. His match fitness has been called into question on this occasion as well.

As the official ODI squad for forthcoming series against England has not yet been released, Mathews still has a slight chance of finding his way back into the squad. However, his standoff with the selectors is on for now.

Sri Lanka's five-match ODI series against England begins on October 10.