5 reasons why Angelo Mathews should bat in the top order

Sri Lanka’s massive defeat against India in the first Test highlighted their batting woes. The hosts were bundled out for paltry scores of 291 and 245 in their first and second innings respectively as they failed to survive for more than 90 overs on both occasions and this was a major reason for their horrific show at Galle.

The only way Sri Lanka can stage a comeback in next Test is by improving their batting performances. And for that to happen their batsmen have to claim responsibility.

At the moment the top order looks anything but confident and hence the onus of bringing solidarity in the batting line-up rests on the shoulders of their most experienced campaigner, Angelo Mathews. The veteran currently bats in the lower order which is hampering his performances.

Mathews must be slotted in the top order so that he is able to spend more time at the crease. And we have a case to make for him as well. Here we discuss the reasons why batting in the top order is the need of the hour for Mathews.

#5 Lack of options in the top order

Sri Lanka's failure to fill the void created by Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene's retirement has cost them several Tests. When the duo of Sangakkara and Jayawardene were batting in the top order, it was easy for Mathews to come in the middle order and inflict further damage but that doesn't stand true any longer.

Since the departure of these two stalwarts, Sri Lanka's top order has become extremely weak. Sri Lanka has tried several options but the lack of consistency of these young players means the team is running out of options now.

Meanwhile, in the middle order, except for Dinesh Chandimal and Kushal Mendis, no other Sri Lankan batsman has played more than 10 Tests since August 2014.

Players like Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva have shown promise but they haven't batted responsibly. Hence, the best bait at the moment for Sri Lanka to make their top order strong is to use services of Mathews.

#4 No support from the tailenders

Mathews is often the lone man standing for Sri Lanka

All batsmen who have flourished while playing at number five or six enjoyed strong support from the tailenders.

In recent years Jonny Bairstow of England piled massive scores while batting in the lower middle order. But most of his runs came during his partnerships with Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad.

Ajinkya Rahane has also benefited by the batting abilities of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Wridhiman Saha.

Players who bat at number five of six generally don't always have the luxury of batting with the top order batsmen. Most of the times, they have to bat with the tailenders. If the tailenders get out early then it automatically increases the burden on the number five or six batsman. However, if the tailenders are capable of keeping one end secure, then the job of the main batsman becomes easier.

Mathews produced his finest Test performance at Leeds in 2014 when he scored 160 runs against England. That inning was possible because Rangana Herath batted for 82 balls and stood tall for 37 overs alongside the all-rounder.

Currently, Sri Lanka doesn't feature any genuine bowling all-rounder who has the ability to give Mathews company in the middle. Barring Dilruwan Perera, no other Sri Lankan has shown promise while batting at below number seven.

Additionally, since August 2014 only four players have batted at positions between eight and eleven. Among them, Herath averages 16.86, Lakmal 13.45, Prasad 8.60 and Pradeep 4.38.

This poor performance from the tailenders ensures that Mathews on most occasions is left stranded at the other end. Instead of focusing on his batting he has to watch opposite bowlers run through Sri Lanka's tailenders.

Hence, it is important for Sri Lanka that Mathews bats in the top order and gets all the time to play according to his potential.

#3 Batting in the top order suits the nature of pitches

Angelo Mathews should have more impact in Tests coming higher up the order

The Sri Lankan pitches are a classic example of sub-continent wickets. These surfaces support the batsmen in the beginning but with time they deteriorate and assist the bowlers, especially the spinners.

The best time to bat on these surfaces is on the first day or when the ball is semi-new because the old ball causes troubles for the batsmen as it turns viciously and is difficult to hit. And, by slotting himself in the lower order, Mathews fails to make use of the best batting conditions as, by the time he comes to bat, the surface on most occasions becomes bowler friendly.

Thus, to ensure that Sri Lanka makes complete use of the batting friendly conditions, it is necessary that Mathews is promoted up the order.

# 2 Best way of covering openers' debacles

Sri Lanka's top order displays have left much to be desired

Since the retirement of Tillakaratne Dilshan, mediocre opening partnerships have become a routine for Sri Lanka.

From August 2014, Sri Lanka's opening pair has added 28.71 runs per innings. Among the 10 Test playing nations, this average of the opening pair ranks at number eight. While for the second wicket Sri Lanka's average is 28.63 which is the lowest among all teams.

This string of low scores for the 1st and the 2nd wicket increases the responsibility of the middle order. To repair the damage done at the top of the order, the team needs somebody who possesses the right skills and has the experience of facing such situations.

At the moment, no one except Angelo Mathews is capable of performing this task in Sri Lanka's team.

#1 The best batsmen bats in the top order

Mathews is Sri Lanka's best batsmen at the moment and hence must claim the responsibility of the innings

This the most crucial reason why Mathews needs to be promoted up in the batting order.

In the current Sri Lankan team, Mathews is the most experienced as well as the most skilled batsmen. With 67 Test under his belt, the Sri Lankan all-rounder has an expansive knowledge of the game and knows how to tackle various situations.

This knowledge and experience can be best exploited in the top order and hence Mathews should be promoted.

Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and Jacques Kallis rose to prominence as they batted in the top-four positions. The best batsmen of this era bat in the top order as well.

From Steve Smith to Joe Root to Virat Kohli, every team ensures that their top batsmen are among the first four players to bat.

Batting in the top four will allow Mathews to anchor the innings and will eventually benefit the team.