Top 5 cricketing disappointments of 2017

5. Angelo Mathews

Sri Lanka's batting has suffered as a result of Angelo Mathews not scoring heavily in 2017

524 runs at 29.11 in 9 Tests

Yet another senior who fell short of expectations in 2017. The Sri Lankan batting order, sans Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, was heavily reliant on Angelo Mathews to deliver the goods. But persistent injuries to and lack of runs for Mathews has put further pressure on youngsters and inexperienced batsmen. He has failed to read spin – Ravindra Jadeja has dismissed him six times this year – and also been unable to encounter pace – he was dismissed all four times by pacers in two Tests in South Africa this year.

An unhealthy average of 29.11 has failed to instill the required confidence into the fresh legs coming into the team. And this year, there have been only two half-centuries and a solitary hundred from Mathews.