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‘Best thing was to win for the fans’ – Mathews
- Updated: July 30, 2016
Reflecting on what had been a bleak year, Angelo Mathews thanked Sri Lankan fans for their support, following his team’s first Test victory since October. The 106-run victory in Pallekele was just Sri Lanka’s second against Australia, but also Mathews’ first triumph over a Test-playing nation in 2016. Sri Lanka had beaten India in a T20 in Pune, but Mathews had been unavailable through injury during that series.
“After a rough, tough six to eight months, we needed that victory,” Mathews said. “In that time, there was a situation where fans were turning away from us. As cricketers we feel that, because when we play well everyone loves you. Even when you lose they may love you, but they are also disappointed. The best thing was to win this match for the fans. It’s a great win for those who stayed with us, and we thank them because that support means a lot.
“In the past six months, we as a team got a lot of stick. But that’s part and parcel of the game. When we do well we get praised. When we do badly we get a bit of stick. I think we as players need to understand that.”
Mathews was full of praise for Man of the Match Kusal Mendis, whose 176 had transformed the outlook of the match. Mathews said he had seen something special in Mendis as far back as December, when Sri Lanka toured New …
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