Ban vs SL, 2022 – 1st Test

Taking it flippantly and being hopeful are most likely one of many higher methods to cope with such a state of affairs. Despite being a visiting batter, the small crowd on the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium waited for Mathews to achieve his second double-hundred. Once he reached the 190s, it was solely a case of staying on strike. He struck a 4 to maneuver to 196, and took a fast two with a dab to 3rd man to maneuver to 199.

Next ball, the final of Nayeem Hasan’s over, the plan was to take the one that may take him to the landmark, but additionally hold him on strike for the subsequent over as Sri Lanka have been 9 down. Mominul Haque introduced in all of the fielders. Nayeem floated one properly outdoors off, which Mathews wafted at, and solely inside-edged it to midwicket, the place Shakib Al Hasan took a straightforward catch.

“I simply premeditated the shot,” Mathews mentioned. “I did not join it. It was a kind of unlucky incidents. Obviously, it could have been good to get that one run however it’s a must to take what God offers you. Getting that one run off the final ball with the final man, I needed to get to the double-hundred. I miscalculated it, and sadly, Shakib caught it (laughs). I’m grateful that I used to be in a position to play knock. Hopefully it’ll assist us win the sport.”

Except that one run although, Mathews stored Sri Lanka’s innings collectively for 9 hours and 38 minutes. Fighting oppressive warmth and humidity, and fairly correct bowling from the Bangladesh spinners, he stored Sri Lanka on monitor with sizeable partnerships and obtained them out of bother on three or 4 events too.

Mathews has since labored on his health beneath Mickey Arthur, and is thought for an improved angle in direction of health, eating regimen and gymnasium.

“I used to be exhausted, to be trustworthy, particularly within the warmth. It was 42 levels, boiling sizzling within the center,” Mathews mentioned. “But I knew that after I get a begin, it doesn’t matter what the state of affairs and situation is, if I’m set, I want to hold by way of.

“That’s why we do the health, and many others, to play in excessive situations. We are grateful to the trainers for pushing all of us. Whatever situations you get, it’s a must to carry out to the very best of your potential. Lot of labor is being put behind the scenes by all of the coaches.”

Mathews mentioned that he anticipated different set batters to get large scores like him, each time Sri Lanka get into these positions. “We have gotten a number of seniors like Dimuth, Chandimal and Dickwella. Dhananjaya has performed various cricket too. The pondering among the many batters is that whoever will get a begin has to make it depend.

“Yesterday and right now have been my days. Next time will probably be one other. Hopefully he carries us by way of. Whoever will get set, has to bat deep.”

Mathews believed that they got here up a bit quick with their first innings rating, of 397, however mentioned Bangladesh bowled properly all through the 2 days to maintain them within the straight and slender.

“It is a par rating on this actually good wicket. Bangladesh bowled extraordinarily properly. They did not give something away. No freebies. They bowled to a line and size. They put us beneath a number of strain, made us work actually laborious for our runs.

“Nayeem obtained the ball to show a little bit bit as properly. Eventually they obtained the outcomes. We misplaced a number of fast wickets. We misplaced our approach within the center. I assumed we have been about 50-60 runs quick. We needed someplace round 500 runs.”