Mathews fireworks prompt Australia rethink
Australia will revisit their bowling plan for Angelo Mathews after the powerful Sri Lankan almost engineered another remarkable comeback win for his side at the WACA Ground on Friday.
Mathews, who famously combined with Lasith Malinga for a 132-run ninth-wicket stand to help Sri Lanka beat Australia in Melbourne in November 2010, threatened to perform similar heroics on Friday, before falling just six runs short of the victory target.
Number seven Mathews and number 11 Dhammika Prasad came together with 52 runs required, chasing a victory target of 232.
The pair still needed 18 off the last over to snatch victory, which became just eight off four balls when Mathews hit Mitchell Starc's first two balls for four and six.
But with six needed off two balls, Mathews was caught on the boundary trying to hit the winning runs, ending his innings on 64 from 76 balls.
Australia skipper Michael Clarke said his side needed to find a way to curb the right-hander's clean hitting.
"He continues to make runs against us. He is that type of player and if he gets past 20 he is unstoppable. He strikes the ball as clean as anybody," Clarke said.
"We need to keep working on our plans to him and probably be a bit more disciplined early to him to try to get him out for less than 20 more often, because he is a very good striker of the ball."
Mathews averages 41.50 in one-dayers against Australia, well above his career average of 33.45, and he said he was not surprised by news the Australians would place more focus on his wicket in future matches.
"They have a idea of me, so I have to think a bit ahead," he said.
The 24-year-old said memories of his MCG heroics were in his mind late in the chase.
"We were almost there. The MCG game was at the back of my mind, but unfortunately we couldn't pull it through," he said.
Mathews, who also claimed two wickets with the ball in the Australian innings, said he would welcome any opportunity to bat further up the order in future one-day internationals.
"Obviously yes, but the team needs me finishing off the game," he said when asked if he would like a promotion in the batting order.
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