Sri lanka Test and ODI skipper Angelo Mathews has been named to lead the Pune Warriors India in the sixth edition of the IPl, commencing on April 3. Allan Donald will be the head coach of the side, while Rob Walters comes on board as assistant coach and will be the fitness trainer and fielding coach of the team.
Praveen Amre, meanwhile, would continue to be the assistant coach. However, Mathews won’t be available during Pune Warriors’ away match against Chennai Super Kings as Tamil Nadu government has decided against allowing any of the lankan players take part in IPl games in Chennai.
Mathews, who has been a part of the Warriors as a player for the past two years, said it would be a great opportunity for him to gain leadership experience working with a multi-national squad.
“It’s a great honour to be offered the captaincy of the Pune Warriors and I am grateful to the team management and franchise owners for the faith shown in me.
“For me personally this is a great chance to gain leadership experience working with a multi-national squad and a very exciting opportunity given the enormous talent within our young squad,” said Mathews.
‘SlC won't stop players’
Sri lanka Cricket secretary, Nishantha Ranatunga, on Thursday said it will not stop its players from participating in the IPl after getting assurances from the BCCI.
“I don’t think lankan players should boycott the IPl just because of political party and views. The game should be kept away from it. That is the SlC policy. If they (BCCI) are supportive and want our players to come there, we will be happy to do so,” Nishantha told a news channel.
“As long as BCCI is supporting our cricket, we support them. It is our duty to make sure that if BCCI wants our players, it is our responsibility to provide them the players.”