Sri Lanka’s Mathews hails ‘dream run’ in final Test against Bangladesh

GALLE, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka are set to begin a two-Test series against Bangladesh in Galle on Tuesday that will mark the end of Angelo Mathews´s “dream run” in the game´s longest format, as the cricket season resumed following South Africa´s World Test Championship triumph at Lord´s.

The red-ball matches between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be followed by a white-ball series of three one-day internationals and three T20s. Hosts Sri Lanka begin the contest as firm favourites, eager to turn a fresh page after a stuttering end to the previous WTC cycle.

Sri Lanka were firmly in the mix for a place in the WTC final until December before the wheels came off spectacularly. Two defeats in South Africa followed by a twin collapse at Galle against Australia saw them tumble down the rankings.

“We had one hand on a spot in the final but a few brain fades at crunch moments cost us dearly,” Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva told reporters on Monday. “We´ve learnt our lessons. A strong home start lays the foundation for success on the road.”

Sri Lanka´s squad includes six uncapped players, with at least one debut cap set to be handed out. Spin remains Sri Lanka´s strength, with Prabath Jayasuriya the key and selectors also calling up off-spinner Akila Dananjaya.

Bangladesh enter the series without stalwarts Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is realistic about the challenge. “Tamim and Shakib -- those are massive boots to fill,” he said. “But this is a chance for the young guys to put their hands up.”

Shanto, who is playing in Galle for the first time, said the team have “prepped well and we´re ready for the challenge”. The Test will also be the swansong of Sri Lanka´s veteran Angelo Mathews, who is retiring after 118 Tests.

The former skipper also played his first Test on the famous pitch perched beneath the fortress in Galle in 2009. “It´s been a dream run,” said 38-year-old Mathews.

“The wins in England in 2014 and whitewashing the Aussies in 2016 stand out. I´ve seen so many youngsters come through the ranks,” he said. “I truly believe Sri Lanka´s future is in good hands.”

Sri Lanka have won 20 of the 26 Tests they have played against Bangladesh, who have only managed a solitary win along with five draws. The second Test will begin in Colombo on June 25.