Angelo Mathews has opened up about a widely discussed moment from his early cricketing days – his decision to slow down play in a 2011 ODI at Lord’s to help teammate Dinesh Chandimal score a century.
In a conversation with Newswire the 38-year-old Mathews looked back at his 24-year-old self during the July 3, 2011 match against England, admitting, “There was a bit of arrogance in me back then. I was still new to the team. That reaction from the dressing room, the panic—I think it was justified.”
Chasing 247, Sri Lanka was in control with Chandimal unbeaten on 87 in the 43rd over. As the team neared victory, Mathews deliberately played out dot balls to give Chandimal time to reach his maiden century. “He kept telling me, ‘Angi, forget the hundred, just finish it.’ But I told him, ‘You can still make it—I’ll take it to the last over.’”
His actions, however, were met with visible frustration from then-captain T.M. Dilshan and team manager Duleep Mendis. The situation drew tension inside the dressing room and on the field, as Mathews ignored calls to wrap up the game quickly.
“I didn’t see them panic, only next day in highlights I saw them panic and even when we finished the game no one told me anything in the dressing room” Mathews said.
Eventually, Chandimal did reach his century in the 48th over with a six, and Sri Lanka won the match comfortably. Mathews scored just 1 run off 21 balls in that period.
Reflecting on the moment 15 years later, Mathews said, “As you grow older, you realise the team’s victory always matters more than personal milestones. But back then, I felt it was a special opportunity for him and wanted him to grab it.”
The story, now part of Sri Lanka’s cricketing folklore, showcases both the boldness and the vulnerability of youth. It also stands as a reminder of the emotional weight behind every cricketing decision—especially in a sport as unpredictable as cricket.
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