Sri Lanka’s ODI captain Angelo Mathews came down hard on offending players who get suspended and create a bad image of the national cricket team.
“It’s disappointing to lose out on a player (Danushka Gunathilaka) when the team is doing well. We will not tolerate any indiscipline. If they take that risk they will have to deal with the consequences,” said Mathews at a media conference at Dambulla yesterday. Gunathilaka who is Sri Lanka’s regular one-day opener will miss the entire five-match ODI series against South Africa after being banned for six ODIs by Sri Lanka Cricket on the grounds of breaching SLC Player Code of Conduct and Contractual Obligation.
“They can be the best player but we will not tolerate that kind indiscipline when it comes to team rules, they have to abide it. We do care what they do outside because it affects the whole team and the image. Players have to be very careful to take good care of themselves on and off the field and not try and damage the team’s image,” Mathews stated.
Mathews said they have four players they could use as options to open - Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella.
“The combination will be tactical,” Mathews said when asked to name the opening pair. - ST