In a hair-rasing spell by pacer Will O’Rouke, Angelo Mathews retired hurt, and Pathum Nissanka copped a blow on his ribs during the opening session of the first Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle.
Mathews retires hurt, but returns to bat
Mathews was hit on his right index finger in the 22nd over on day one off a O’Rourke back of length delivery that jagged back in from well outside off stump. The physio was called in immediately, but Mathews batted another over before retiring hurt.
Fortunately for the Sri Lankan camp, the nasty blow isn’t a cause for worry as the all-rounder was cleared of any fracture and came out to bat again at the fall of the fourth wicket.
Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed on social media that Mathews has a minor swelling to the affected area of his right hand.
Team Updates: Angelo Mathews
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 18, 2024
Angelo Mathews has been assessed after retiring hurt due to being hit on his right index finger.
There’s no fracture—just a minor swelling.
He will be ready to bat again. #SLvsNZ pic.twitter.com/rxIF9OM3Iy
The veteran arrived at the crease when Sri Lanka slipped to 33-2, with openers Dimuth Karunaratne (2) and Pathum Nissanka (27) falling cheaply. Mathews batted for 55 balls for his 12 not out before retiring hurt.
The Will O'Rourke show
Both the dismissals came during pacer O’Rourke's fiery opening spell. Clocking at 140kmph consistently on the speed gun, the lanky pacer troubled both the openers, with a few rising and nipping back at Nissanka’s midriff. He set Nissanka up with a barrage of short balls before eventually getting him with a late inswinging yorker at the base of the off stump.
At the time of writing, Sri Lanka were 161-4 in 50 overs, with O'Rourke having taken 2-39 in his nine overs.
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