'SL Will Fight Fire With Fire..'- Angelo Mathews Warns ENG Ahead Of World Cup Face-off
Sri Lanka team defeated Netherlands to reboot their 2023 WC campaign (AP)
Angelo Mathews is set to make a return to Sri Lanka’s ODI setup through their upcoming must-win World Cup 2023 stalemate against defending champions England. The veteran all-rounder played the last of his 221 ODIs for Sri Lanka during a home series against Afghanistan in June this year, before he was subsequently dropped from team’s 15-player World Cup 2023 squad.
Mathews was fast-tracked back into the side as an injury replacement for young speedster Matheesha Pathirana. The 36-year-old recently joined the squad in Bengaluru, where they will go up against England on October 26.
Ahead of his side’s blockbuster showdown with the defending champions, Mathews issued a stern warning for Jos Buttler’s dispirited troops.
Angelo Mathews emphasizes importance of ENG clash
Sri Lankan team, ravaged by injuries and early defeats, is currently placed at number eight on the World Cup 2023 points table. They sustained three demoralizing losses upfront before finding some finding some momentum with a win against an insurgent Netherlands unit.
Angelo Mathews, fully aware of his team’s recent share of misfortunes and newfound winning drive, stated that they are ready to “fight fire with fire” with England at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. While speaking with the reporters on match eve, the legendary Sri Lankan all-rounder said:
“We have to fight fire with fire because we know they will come really hard at us. Obviously, we have to play our ‘A’ game against a very strong England team. Even though they haven’t played to their potential they are a very dangerous team. We know their brand of cricket is all about being positive; if you take a backward step they are going to jump all over you and take the advantage. They can hurt us badly if we are complacent.”
Much like Sri Lanka, the Englishmen are also haunted by severe setbacks within the early stages of their title defense. Jos Buttler and co. are placed a rung below Sri Lanka at the 2023 World Cup points table, having secured just a solitary win over Bangladesh from their four attempts.
A defeat for either side in their upcoming standoff in Bengaluru will pretty much extinguish all their hopes of a top-four finish.
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