\u201cAngelo was a tireless workhorse. He gave everything for the badge and never threw in the towel,\u201d Jayasuriya told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net). \u201cEven after 100-plus Tests, he trained like a rookie, and his enthusiasm was superb. He set high standards, and his absence will be felt \u2013 on and off the field.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mathews, who is Sri Lanka\u2019s third-highest run-scorer in Test history, announced his retirement, citing the dwindling Test calendar \u2014 Sri Lanka are scheduled to play only four Tests in 2025. The decision marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new one filled with uncertainty but also opportunity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Mathews gone, Sri Lanka are looking at one of three uncapped players \u2014 Sonal Dinusha, Pawan Rathnayake, or Pasindu Sooriyabandara \u2014 to step up and claim the vacant middle-order spot. Among them, the 24-year-old Sonal Dinusha, a left-handed batter and left-arm spinner, has emerged as the leading candidate to debut at No.6.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
If Dinusha is picked, Dhananjaya de Silva, who is also captaining the side, is likely to shift up to Mathews\u2019 No.4 position. The expectation is high, but Jayasuriya was quick to temper it with a note of realism and patience. \u201cThese youngsters have the talent, no doubt,\u201d he said. \u201cBut you can\u2019t expect them to walk in and start punching above their weight straight away. They\u2019ll need time to settle, and our job as coaches is to steer them patiently down the right path.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dinusha has shown promise with both bat and ball in domestic cricket and for Sri Lanka \u2018A\u2019, and his all-round capabilities could provide balance to a side in transition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka are also making tweaks to their bowling combination for the Colombo Test. Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage and seamer Vishwa Fernando have been drafted into the squad. Fernando, who impressed during his recent county stint with Warwickshire, is set to replace Milan Rathnayake, who misses out due to a side strain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Prabath Jayasuriya struggling for form, Wellalage could be given a chance to prove his mettle in home conditions. However, considering the SSC pitch\u2019s tendency to assist seamers early on, the selectors might opt for a three-pronged pace attack comprising Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, and Kasun Rajitha.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka are also making tweaks to their bowling combination for the Colombo Test. Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage and seamer Vishwa Fernando have been drafted into the squad. Fernando, who impressed during his recent county stint with Warwickshire, is set to replace Milan Rathnayake, who misses out due to a side strain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> LIVE Cricket Score<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n