Mathews delighted

Elmo Rodrigopulle

It was a delighted Angelo Mathews who faced the media at the end of the day after having scored his maiden Test century against Australia in the Final Test at the SSC yesterday.

‘It has always been my ambition to play for team and country and help them win matches. That I was able to finally make my maiden hundred was great and I am delighted’, he said. ‘When play began in the morning, the plan was to get a lead of about 200 and have the Aussies under pressure. But the lead of 52 and with the Aussies losing three wickets, we are in with a great chance of forcing a victory and squaring the series.

To a question about his injury and is not bowling he said that he is now playing as a batsman until he recovers sufficiently from the injury. He is there to make runs and that he will do. He said he received good support from his team mates.

When play began on the fourth morning, the plan was with the help of the remaining batsmen to get a good lead. The 157 we got seems to be enough He also said that as vice captain, he has no pressure when batting.

Asked about his chances of captaining the country he said that, that he has no ambition but at the moment he wants to represent the country and see that they do well. He was convinced that if we could get a couple of wickets early wickets in the morning on the final day we can force a win a square the series.

‘Rangana Herath is bowling threateningly and if he uses the rough, gets spin and bounce, we can win’, he concluded.