Mathews in Test cricket

[mugatiya]

He's lost the fire in the belly - could due to many reasons imo, dealing with SLC, captaincy pressure, constantly losing. He just looks disinterested to me

Maybe someone like Hathu should come in and light a fire under him.

He's got a cushiony life..no one is seriously thinking of dropping him cuz he's seen as the most important or second most important batsman in the country

Make him know that if he doesn't perform he doesn't deserve to be team just because of his name.

[pj57]

I don't think any of the excuses, at least most of the excuses can hold for Mathews. He is the most experienced player we have apart from Herath and he should be able to handle lot of things that has come his way. The downward trend is not new, it has been so for the past two years or so. He has done comparatively well in the shorter formats in the same period.....it's just his disinterest in the longer format.

[Bada]

(11-25-2017, 04:16 AM)mugatiya Wrote:  He's lost the fire in the belly - could due to many reasons imo, dealing with SLC, captaincy pressure, constantly losing. He just looks disinterested to me

Maybe someone like Hathu should come in and light a fire under him.

He's got a cushiony life..no one is seriously thinking of dropping him cuz he's seen as the most important or second most important batsman in the country

Make him know that if he doesn't perform he doesn't deserve to be team just because of his name.

Yeah, he would have been dropped some time ago if he played for a top side.

However, I'm expecting credit if he scores a hundred in this series. This thread might bring him back

[harshjoshi87]

Mathews was injured most of the time in last two years. Previously he used to bowl plus being captain of the side kept him in the game all the time. He will take some time to adjust to this new role, he will eventually come good. Let him continue at #4.

[Dilcey]

this team is very cushiony for guys like Mathews.I mean even if desnt score a 100,in ten tests we cant drop him cos he has the ability to score those important runs and is one of our best batsmen.The lack of pressure on him to score has made him disinterested I feel

Just imagine if we drop him and lose badly,the whole blame will be on the selectors for dropping him

[Real Sanga]

(11-25-2017, 05:06 AM)Bada Wrote:  

(11-25-2017, 04:16 AM)mugatiya Wrote:  He's lost the fire in the belly - could due to many reasons imo, dealing with SLC, captaincy pressure, constantly losing. He just looks disinterested to me

Maybe someone like Hathu should come in and light a fire under him.

He's got a cushiony life..no one is seriously thinking of dropping him cuz he's seen as the most important or second most important batsman in the country

Make him know that if he doesn't perform he doesn't deserve to be team just because of his name.

Yeah, he would have been dropped some time ago if he played for a top side.

However, I'm expecting credit if he scores a hundred in this series. This thread might bring him back

Agree.

But I am sure he wouldn't have to face all the other trouble outside cricket if he had played for a top team. And pretty sure top teams analysis and manage their players better than us. Mathews could have easily given up on his bowling some time ago if he had played for a top team.

[Real Sanga]

(11-25-2017, 04:16 AM)mugatiya Wrote:  He's lost the fire in the belly - could due to many reasons imo, dealing with SLC, captaincy pressure, constantly losing. He just looks disinterested to me

Maybe someone like Hathu should come in and light a fire under him.

He's got a cushiony life..no one is seriously thinking of dropping him cuz he's seen as the most important or second most important batsman in the country

Make him know that if he doesn't perform he doesn't deserve to be team just because of his name.

While I was doubtful about this too while watching test cricket, his record in ODI's says something totally different. And he played with a good attitude in ODI's even if you look at CT.

Outside everything discussed here, I think Mathews lacks confidence in other batsmen in the team in test cricket. It is good he moved to 4 because of that reason, now he will have more partners to work with and that will help him in the back of his mind. When you lack confidence in other batsmen of the team, you will not play your game thinking about other stuff. I see this happening badly with Mathews in test cricket. He looked like a batsman lost, not knowing whether to take time or go aggressive. Not playing his usual game for certain.

[Bada]

It has been the other way around for the past 12-18 months. Chandimal and Dimuth haven't had support from Mathews. Dickwella has been decent down the order. The problem is he has to hit SL out of trouble most of the time. He will keep getting out for 20s and 30s.

WI series 2015 onwards

[Real Sanga]

(11-25-2017, 03:58 PM)Bada Wrote:  It has been the other way around for the past 12-18 months. Chandimal and Dimuth haven't had support from Mathews. Dickwella has been decent down the order. The problem is he has to hit SL out of trouble most of the time. He will keep getting out for 20s and 30s.

WI series 2015 onwards

We were in trouble most of the time he arrived at crease regardless of stats.

Dimuth only came good in last 6,7 months. Before that, he had a horrible time of it. Chandimal was the only one continuously done well in that period if you look. Also, Mathews missed test matches at home while half fit him played away from Sri Lanka to balance the side and bring experience.
Most of those guys boosted average by playing SL tests that Mathews missed against lesser teams while Mathews was used whenever we played a bigger team.  

Dickwalle same played only last 10. I guess Mathews missed few of those tests. Dickwalle is yet to get a 100 in that sense too.

[pj57]

SL have played 25 tests since October 2015, winning 11 and losing 11.....and Mathews has played in 19 of these tests but has managed only 6 fifties with a highest score of 83 in 35 innings. He has batted at #5 in 29 of these innings, thrice each at #6 & #4. It's a poor record for a batsman of his experience and calibre....for a extended period of time.

Dickwella played only 19 innings in 10 tests in the same period but has scored 6 fifties (same as Mathews scored in 35 innings) with a highest score of 83. Has only three single digit scores in 19 innings and has been consistent throughout. He has batted at #6 on 13 occasions and at #7 on 6 occasions. It's not easy to score hundreds from these positions, specially with our lower order.