SA vs SL: Upul Tharanga to lead Sri Lanka in ODIs against Proteas; Angelo Mathews flies home due to injury

Colombo: Sri Lanka`s batting talisman Upul Tharanga has been chosen to captain the country`s five One Day International matches against South Africa after skipper Angelo Mathews returned home with a sprained ankle.

The 31-year-old left-hand-batsman will captain the ODI against South Africa starting in Port Elizabeth this Saturday, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced.

Mathews had informed the Sri Lanka Cricket management that he may need to take time off in order to be with his family.

A hamstring injury in the second T- 20 on Sunday ruled him out of the match forcing the skipper to make an early exit for the rest of the series.The third T20 international is scheduled for January 25.

Meanwhile, Seam-bowling all-rounder Lahiru Madushanka and wicketkeeper-batsman Sandun Weerakkody have received their maiden call-ups in ODIs and are due to join the squad already in South Africa along with left-arm spinning allrounder Chaturanga de Silva, who has played six ODIs.

Sri Lanka will play five ODI matches on January 28 at Port Elizabeth, February 1 at Durban, February 4 at Johannesburg, February 7 at Cape Town and on February 10 at Centurion.

Matthews on losing captaincy

Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews has said he would have no qualms if he gets sacked from the captaincy following his side`s horrific Test performance on their South African tour.

The call for Mathews, who became the youngest Test captain at 25, to resign comes after his side had lost all three Tests against the Proteas even as the limited overs of the tour is yet to take place.

The 29-year-old all-rounder left the tour after the second T20 in Johannesburg on Sunday after suffering a sprained ankle, but dismissed suggestions that he had given serious consideration to stepping down after four years in charge.

"I haven`t thought about it. I will not run away from pressures. Anyone can say anything. If I feel this is the time or if the selectors say, I`m open to it. Whatever others say, I`m not bothered," espncricinfo quoted Daily Mirror as saying.

"It`s not in my control. If the selectors or Sri Lanka Cricket think they need a change and believe someone else is ready to do the captaincy, it`s not at all a problem for me. As long as I enjoy the game, I will keep playing. I just want to try and perform well as a team and I will always help whoever is captain in the future as well," he said.

Sri Lanka Cricket`s CEO Ashley de Silva also stated that prior to the South African tour, Mathews had indicated that he might need time off for family reasons.

His wife Heshani is expected to give birth to the couple`s first child shortly. Injury had brought the date of his departure forward a little.

The T20 series is currency tied at 1-1 following which a third match will be played today in Cape Town.

After finishing the T20 series, Sri Lanka and South Africa will later embark upon a five-ODI series, under the captaincy of Upul Tharanga, who was named as a stand-in for Mathews."I know I am answerable but, as captain, I have done the best possible.

I worked closely with the coach [Graham Ford]. I always discussed with the selectors when it came to the team. It has been a collective effort. But if someone wants to put the blame on me, so be it," Mathews said.