Cricket: Mathews moulding own team

Angelo Mathews is trying to bring his team out of the considerable shadow cast by Sri Lankan legends Kumar Sangakkara (right) and Mahela Jayawardene. Photo / AP

Two names Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews might be tired of hearing are Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

Particularly irritating sentences might include the phrases "if only..." and "remember when..."

The former captains are unequivocal greats of the Sri Lankan game with professional reputations which would see them embraced by any cricketing fraternity. Just ask the Central Stags.

They signed Jayawardene to play Twenty20 cricket in the Georgie Pie Super Smash this season. He retired from 17 years of international duty after the Cricket World Cup, having played 149 tests at an average of 49.84. Sangakkara followed suit in August after a 15-year, 134-test career with an average of 57.40.

No pressure then, Angelo.

The incumbent skipper cannot afford to have his reign shadowed by nostalgic hindsight. His performances are helping to escape from that.

Mathews has made a reasonable fist of his test captaincy tenure since taking over in March 2013.

His career batting average of 51.43 has increased to 65.91 as captain, and he has scored six of his seven test centuries in the period. His bowling average has also dropped from 49.17 to 36.16 with the added responsibility.

Mathews initially led Sri Lanka to series victories over Bangladesh (home and away), Pakistan (home) and England (away). That early success was tempered by series losses to South Africa, Pakistan and India (home) and New Zealand (away).

They then secured a home victory over the West Indies in October, the first Sangakkara-Jayawardene free series. Mathews' captaincy record reads: 23 matches, 10 wins, eight losses, five draws.

If Sri Lanka win the two-test series against New Zealand, which starts in Dunedin on Thursday, they will rise to sixth in the world. Lose, and they will remain in seventh.

Responsibility also lies with spinner Rangana Herath who, post-Muttiah Muralitharan, has played 43 of his 65 tests and taken 222 wickets at 26.81.

Herath's 293 career test wickets at 29.49 sit him behind only Daniel Vettori (362 at 34.36) and Derek Underwood (297 at 25.83) in the left-arm orthodox ranks.

His drift and guile have troubled New Zealand in the past, with 32 wickets coming at 24, although he had little impact in the two tests last season, taking four wickets.

Mathews needs more of his players to step up, notably those in the middle bracket of experience. Much is expected of Dinesh Chandimal (23 tests, batting average 45.63) and Dimuth Karunaratne (23 tests, batting average 35.97).

Karunaratne got his tour away to a promising start with 93 against the NZC President's XI in Queenstown but Chandimal was caught at short leg to spin for a duck.

The onus also goes on Suranga Lakmal (24 tests, bowling average 49.56) and Dhammika Prasad (25 tests, bowling average 35.97) to prove themselves if they get opportunities on grassier surfaces.

Of the more recent recruits, right-arm pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera may find the New Zealand conditions to his liking. He was expensive but slippery against the President's XI on his way to four for 57 from 10.3 overs. Each of his wickets came when he pitched up and coaxed the ball to move.

The President's XI closed their innings at 399 for 8 with Kusal Perera picking up 2-31.

Sri Lanka, over 200 in arrears, chalked up 226/6 in 71 overs, the match drawn. Mathews himself led from the front with 54 not out, opener Udara Jayasundera compiled 63 and Kithuruwan Vithanage made 61 from first-drop as Sri Lanka ground out some valuable batting practice ahead of the Dunedin test.