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Mathews named Sri Lanka’s new T20 captain

All-rounder Angelo Mathews has been named as Sri Lanka’s new Twenty20 captain for one year, the national selectors announced on Thursday.

The 25-year-old replaced prolific batsman Mahela Jayawardene, who stepped down after Sri Lanka’s defeat by the West Indies in the World T20 final in Colombo earlier this month.

Fast bowler Lasith Malinga was appointed T20 vice-captain for one year, Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.

Mathews’s first assignment will be a one-off T20 match against New Zealand in Pallekele on October 30. The tourists will also play five one-day internationals and two Tests.

Jayawardene, rested for the T20 game along with Malinga, will lead the team in the first three one-dayers against New Zealand. The opening match will be played in Pallekele on November 1.

Spinner Ajantha Mendis was not considered for selection for T20 and one-day games due to an injury, the statement added.

T20 squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Nuwan Kulasekara, Dilshan Munaweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Shaminda Eranga, Akila Dananjaya, Sachithra Senanayake, Upul Tharanga.

Squad for first three one-dayers: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Shaminda Eranga, Upul Tharanga, Rangana Herath, Akila Dananjaya, Tharindu Kaushal.