Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews reappointed as limited-overs captain

The 30-year old all-rounder quit after Sri Lanka's shock defeat to Zimbabwe in July at home. Since then the board has experimented with the limited overs captaincy with as many as 5 people taking over the job.

SLC is now hoping Angelo Mathews will steady the ship once again and lead them into the 2019 World Cup or perhaps even beyond that.

In ODI cricket Sri Lanka have had five different captains just in 2017.

After Mathews decided to step down from the post in July, Upul Tharanga was handed the job.

Under the dashing left-hander Sri Lanka suffered three 5-0 whitewashes and then Thisara Perera was handed over the responsibilities.

Chamara Kapugedera and Lasith Malinga also captained the side in Tharanga's absence.

Since Mathews stepped down as the captain, Sri Lanka have been sailing in uncertain waters and have been dismal in limited overs cricket.

Out of the 29 ODIs in 2017 they have lost 23, while in T20Is they have suffered defeats in 10 out of the 15 matches.

This seemed to be the major concern for the Sri Lankan cricket board.

However, another cause for concern is Angelo Mathew's struggle to stay fit.

The all-rounder missed 20 out of the 39 ODIs Sri Lanka played in the last 18 months, thanks to a series of leg and muscle injuries.

His most recent injury was the hamstring strain against India in the T20Is.

Yet Sri Lanka wants the injury-prone man to lead them.