Opted out of Zimbabwe series with SA tour in mind – Mathews

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has said that he pulled out of the upcoming Zimbabwe tour after an MRI scan revealed injuries to his leg. Mathews said the decision was taken after consulting with an expert medical panel and was done with the aim of helping him recover in time for the tour of South Africa in mid-December.

Mathews was named in the original squad for Zimbabwe, but was ruled out last week. In August, a calf tear had forced him to miss an ODI and two T20Is against the touring Australia side. He is expected to be out of action for three weeks and is doubtful for the tri-series in Zimbabwe, also involving West Indies, that follows the Tests.

Rangana Herath was appointed Test captain for the two-match series on the tour, while Upul Tharanga took Mathews’ place in the squad.

“I had about one-and-a-half months to recover and I was preparing myself to be ready for the Zimbabwe tour,” Mathews said. “Unfortunately there has been a setback.

“We did an MRI scan which revealed that I had multiple injuries on the same leg. I had to pull out after the expert medical panel advised me and [told] SLC not to send me to Zimbabwe because it might jeopardise my chances of playing in South Africa. We are planning to take a closer look at why this is happening. I hope my injury doesn’t take that long to heal. The doctors have advised rest, and the recovery can be earlier than that or more; we will have to play it by ear. I don’t think it will surpass the South African tour.”

Sri Lanka have a depleted team for Zimbabwe. Vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal, and fast bowlers Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep and Dushmantha Chameera were also ruled out due to injuries. The pace attack in Zimbabwe will be led …

continue reading in source www.espncricinfo.com