Mathews called up for first England Lions unofficial ODI

Former national cricket captain Angelo Mathews has been called up to the Sri Lanka ’A’ squad that will face the England Lions in the first unofficial ODI on Wednesday. 

Despite being a continued presence in Sri Lanka's Test team, Mathews has not played limited over cricket since March 2021, his last ODI being against the West Indies.

There had been murmurs of a possible return to limited overs cricket for Mathews after Sri Lanka's abject performances in the ODI series in India in January. 

He was not in the initial squad of 22 that was named for this England Lions series, but was part of a group of 14 stand-by players who selectors said would be utilized when necessary, as part of the national team’s preparation for the tour of New Zealand.  

Among the other players on that list who have been included in the squad for the first unofficial ODI are all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne, batsman Avishka Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Kavisha Anjula and wicket-keeper batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama, who has been named as captain.