On August 21, cricket fans experienced a thrilling day as new Test series kicked off in both Pakistan and England. This day was particularly noteworthy as it showcased the prowess of fast bowlers in both matches. In Pakistan, Bangladeshi bowlers dismantled the top order, while in England, the Sri Lankan batting line-up faced severe challenges from English bowlers. Although precise bowling was the key to success in both encounters, Sri Lankan veteran batsman Angelo Mathews made a blunder that is seldom seen, especially from a player with over 100 Test matches under his belt.
Mathews’ Surprising Blunder
The first Test match of the series was held at Old Trafford in Manchester, where fast bowlers dominated the initial session. They quickly dismissed Sri Lanka’s opening pair within just half an hour. At that crucial moment, the team looked to its experienced players to stabilize the innings, with an added focus on former captain and ace all-rounder Angelo Mathews.
Early Dismissal
At the age of 37, Mathews came in to bat at number four but disappointed fans by getting out on his very first ball—without scoring any runs. Fast bowler Chris Woakes trapped him LBW with an inswinging delivery after only five balls. While getting out for a duck is not an uncommon occurrence, Mathews’ manner of dismissal was astonishing and frustrating. The ball pitched on the off stump line, and Mathews believed it would continue straight, opting to leave it alone by lifting his bat. This resulted in the ball turning back towards his pads and hitting him, leading to his dismissal.
Bless Angelo Mathews for this leave + review 😅 #ENGvSL
Video Review Wrong Turn
With no hesitation, the umpire declared Mathews out. It’s unusual to expect a schoolboy error from a player with over 109 Test matches played, yet sometimes mistakes happen. However, Mathews compounded his error by requesting a review when it was evident he was out LBW. As anticipated, the replays confirmed that the ball was on course to hit the stumps, resulting in Mathews receiving no assistance from the review. Consequently, Sri Lanka lost its third review in just the seventh over of the innings.
Sri Lanka’s Collapse
When examining Sri Lanka’s innings, it is important to note that they were in deep trouble early on, having lost 5 wickets for just 80 runs in the first session. Before Mathews, opener Nishan Madushka scored only 4 runs, while former captain Dimuth Karunaratne could manage just 2 runs. Essentially, three wickets had fallen by the score of 6 runs. Although Kusal Mendis and wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal formed a brief partnership to stabilize the innings, they too could not last long. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva did manage to counterattack and was not out at lunch, having scored 28 runs off just 25 balls. For England, Woakes claimed two crucial wickets.
Analysis and Impact
The misstep by Mathews not only added unnecessary pressure on the Sri Lankan batting lineup but also showcased the challenges faced by seasoned players under pressure. This match serves as a reminder that experience does not always equate to assurance in cricket, and even the best can falter. As the series progresses, it will be essential for the Sri Lankan team to regroup and avoid such costly errors to have a fighting chance against a strong English side.
