Champions Trophy: Mathews to return for Sri Lanka but only as a batsman

Photo: AFP

New Delhi: As if facing an in-form India was not enough. Sri Lanka will now have to do with a half-fit Angelo Mathews for the all important June 8 encounter.

To make matters worse, senior batsman Chamara Kapugedara also sustained a knee injury and hobbled out of the ground in considerable pain.

The silver lining though is the return of captain Mathews, who had to sit out in their opening match against South Africa.

"The injury is much better now," Mathews told ThePapare.com. "I could have probably played the last game, but there was a chance of risk, so the management and the selectors decided that I shouldn't play. But I'm fully fit now. I won't be bowling, but I'm fully fit to play as a batsman." 

Mathews is coming back from a hamstring injury and his return will no doubt boost the depleted Sri Lankan side who were without a captain till Wednesday morning as stand-in captain Upul Tharanga had been suspended for two matches due to slow over rate.

"Angelo is playing against India but he will only be batting. He is still not fit enough to bowl. As far as Kapu (Kapugedara) is concerned, it looked bad and we are still not sure whether we can avail his services,  Cricket Manager Asanka Gurusinha told from the sidelines of the Sri Lankan training on the eve of India match.

It was learnt that Sri Lanka had already got two replacements, who were travelling with the team.

"We brought 17 players. We have a left-hander Dhanushka Gunathilake and off-spinner Dilruwan Perera," he said.