Not afraid of losing captaincy, says Mathews

Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews has said he would have no qualms if he gets sacked from the captaincy following his side's horrific Test performance on their South African tour.

The call for Mathews, who became the youngest Test captain at 25, to resign comes after his side had lost all three Tests against the Proteas even as the limited overs of the tour is yet to take place.

The 29-year-old all-rounder left the tour after the second T20 in Johannesburg on Sunday after suffering a sprained ankle, but dismissed suggestions that he had given serious consideration to stepping down after four years in charge.

 

"I haven't thought about it. I will not run away from pressures. Anyone can say anything. If I feel this is the time or if the selectors say, I'm open to it. Whatever others say, I'm not bothered," espncricinfo quoted Daily Mirror as saying.

"It's not in my control. If the selectors or Sri Lanka Cricket think they need a change and believe someone else is ready to do the captaincy, it's not at all a problem for me. As long as I enjoy the game, I will keep playing. I just want to try and perform well as a team and I will always help whoever is captain in the future as well," he said.

Sri Lanka Cricket's CEO Ashley de Silva also stated that prior to the South African tour, Mathews had indicated that he might need time off for family reasons.

His wife Heshani is expected to give birth to the couple's first child shortly. Injury had brought the date of his departure forward a little.

The T20 series is currency tied at 1-1 following which a third match will be played today in Cape Town.

After finishing the T20 series, Sri Lanka and South Africa will later embark upon a five-ODI series, under the captaincy of Upul Tharanga, who was named as a stand-in for Mathews.

"I know I am answerable but, as captain, I have done the best possible. I worked closely with the coach [Graham Ford]. I always discussed with the selectors when it came to the team. It has been a collective effort. But if someone wants to put the blame on me, so be it," Mathews said.