Further woe for Sri Lanka as captain Angelo Mathews flies home

Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews is to fly home from after twisting his ankle during the second T20 against the Proteas at the Wanderers.

He will be replaced as captain by Dinesh Chandimal, selectors said Monday.

Also read: Lungi Ngidi can’t quite save Proteas in chaotic Wanderers T20

The Sri Lankan board said in a statement that Mathews had been “granted permission to return home” after injuring himself during his team’s three-wicket win on Sunday, where he played a starring role.

He hit two sixes in the last over to hand Sri Lanka a series-levelling three-wicket win in Sunday’s match after suffering a 3-0 Test series whitewash to South Africa.

Mathews, who scored an unbeaten 54, told the post-match press conference that he expected to be out for a couple of weeks and could miss the rest of the tour.

The third and final T20 will be played at Newlands on Wednesday, followed by five One-day internationals.

In its statement, the Sri Lankan board also said that fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep and opener Dhanuskha Gunathilaka were also expected to return home as they needed rest to recover from their injuries.

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