Mathews in Test cricket

[Bada]

He showed signs of becoming a top quality Test bat a few years ago. Looks like he will end up being just good.

Scored hundreds against PAK and IND at home in 2015. Horrible record since then. 991 runs in 35 innings.

[Perthman]

there is something not right with him.. he looks very negative and lethargic the way he bats.. not sure what happened to him..

[pj57]

Maybe the injuries have taken a toll on him...not been his usual self for sometime now. Seems almost disinterested.

[Real Sanga]

We can thank our administrators and selectors.

[Bada]

(11-25-2017, 03:27 AM)Real Sanga Wrote:  We can thank our administrators and selectors.

This slump didn't begin in early-2017. From SL v WI Test series in 2015.

I'm all for blaming selectors/team management in a case like DDS.

[Real Sanga]

^^
I know how long this slump was. Believe me.

Still, i would put most blame on selectors and management. He was managed with no care whatsoever. Also was not given the support needed. I can list many reasons and I have done before.

Before his injury in 2015, he had played the most cricket for any international cricketer(not only all-rounders) for the running two years by some distance. On top of that, he was the captain.
Since then, continuously playing half fit(not bowling fit) Mathews did not help either.

It's not one reason or two, many reasons affected his form in my opinion. Change of coaches, having 9 of them in 7 years did not help any of players from the same generation including Chandimal, Thirimanne. It is easy for anyone to say it is not that hard to adjust, however it is not the case.

Mathews downfall was also down to him having to take main responsibility and team crumbling around him as well. He became the main batsman and oppositions started planing against him way more. This happened to many players including Mahela, Sanga when the big names retired. Not for this long.

However, i think he just needs one good inning. One hundred will change things around. Chandika's inclusion will help him as well.

[Real Sanga]

Curiously he has done well in ODI's in the same period.

[Bada]

His ODI batting has been decent in the same period - 8 fifties in 20 innings against the top 6 sides. Average 45+

Fitness is a concern. That matters when you want to play long innings.

[McLovin]

Defo a shadow of himself these days sad to see. Doesn't look all that interested or up for a tussle. Actually not just him that seems to be the case with pretty much most of our guys apart from Herath and maybe one or two others. With all the crap that has been going on around them last few years kind of understandable. Everyone just seems to be doing their own thing.

[McLovin]

Hopefully Hathuru and co can put things right and get them out of this rut. Has his work cut out especially with having to deal with the idiots running the show.