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Matthews master-class at Chattogram  

16 May 2022

  • Notches his 12th ton helping Sri Lanka (258/4) advance
First of the two-Test series – SL vs. Bangladesh Day-one stumps at Chattogram yesterday (15) Brief scores: Sri Lanka (won toss) 258/4 in 90 overs (Angelo Mathews 114 not out, Kusal Mendis 54, Oshada Fernando 36, Dinesh Chandimal 34 not out; Nayeem Hasan 2/71) vs. Bangladesh Angelo Mathews’ ton put Sri Lanka on a solid footing on the opening day of the first cricket Test against Bangladesh at Chattogram, formerly Chittgong, yesterday (15). Sri Lanka, batting first after winning the toss, closed on 258/4 at stumps with Mathews on 114 and Dinesh Chandimal on 34 unbeaten at the crease. Kusal Mendis made some crucial contributions with 54 runs. Bangladeshi spinners Nayeem Hasan (2/71), Shakib Al Hasan (1/27), and Taijul Islam (1/73) ensured that the hosts have something to work with going into the second day today (16). Spin make breakthrough Sri Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne opted to bat first. The hosts were bolstered by the availability of all-rounder Al Hasan, who had recovered from Covid-19 to slot in the playing 11. As ICC stated, in its report of the first day’s play of the Test, it was a solid start for the visitors, with Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando blunting the Bangladesh pacers in their opening burst. With the pacers not getting much zip, Nayeem Hasan was quickly brought into the attack. Spin then did the damage as he trapped the Sri Lankan skipper leg before wicket (lbw) for nine runs, with the batter reviewing the umpire’s call unsuccessfully. Oshada Fernando goes before lunch Fernando was joined by Kusal Mendis at the crease and the pair batted steadily for large parts of the first session. They looked relatively at ease against the twin-spin threat of Hasan and Taijul Islam, punishing the bad deliveries away. But the hosts hit back before lunch, with Hasan again delivering the breakthrough. A well-set Fernando was trapped by a floated delivery around off, which got the faintest of edges, leading to a catch behind the wicket. Fernando immediately reviewed the call, but the “UltraEdge” technology showed a spike and the opener had to walk back for 36. Kusal Mendis in good touch Mendis and Mathews survived the remainder of the session, with Sri Lanka heading to lunch at 73/2. Post-lunch, Mendis and Mathews established a vital partnership for the visitors while scoring at a decent click. Mendis brought up his 13th Test half-century, in an innings full of solidity and composure. Mathews also looked in good touch as the Lankans made full use of the batting-friendly conditions. Mathews overturns decision For Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan bowled brilliantly, holding one end up by bowling some tight lines and lengths. His brilliant work almost reaped the rewards for Taijul Islam, as Mathews was adjudged to be caught behind. Mathews, though, reviewed the call and successfully managed to overturn the decision. The veteran brought up his half-century before the end of the session, as the visitors headed to tea at 158/2. Dhananjaya gets out cheaply The tea break brought respite for Bangladesh when Taijul Islam broke the 92-run partnership between Mathews and Mendis by removing the latter off the very first ball of the third session. Mendis (54) misjudged a short delivery from the left-arm spinner and ended up giving an easy catch to the mid-wicket fielder. One brought two for Bangladesh when the net batter Dhananjaya de Silva fell to Al Hasan for six. After initially being given not out, the “Decision Review System” came to Bangladesh’s rescue, showing that de Silva edged the ball onto hit his pad and into the hands of the slip fielder. Lankans start attacking With wickets falling, Mathews switched gears and took the attack to the spinners. Dinesh Chandimal, at the other end, also preferred stepping out and smashed a couple of sixes as well. Mathews soon brought up his 12th Test century with a boundary towards mid-wicket and raised his bat to soak in the applause. The two batters batted through to the end of the day’s play at 258 /4, with Mathews unbeaten on 114 and Chandimal keeping him company on 34.      


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