Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews banks on 'home' support in World Cup quarter-final
Skipper says he hopes the presence of thousands of compatriots at the SCG will boost his side against South Africa
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews hopes his side can feed off yet more passionate support from their fans in today's World Cup quarter-final against South Africa in Sydney.
When Sri Lanka played tournament co-hosts Australia at the SCG during the pool stages, the vast number of supporters from local expatriate communities, as well as travelling fans, generated so much noise and colour it made the match seem like a home game for the Islanders.
"If you play at the MCG [Melbourne Cricket Ground] or SCG it's like playing at home," Mathews said.
"Most of the Sri Lankans across Australia or across the world, they fly into Sydney with immense support for us, and we really enjoy playing in Sydney. We've been getting tremendous support wherever we played."
Most of the Sri Lankans across Australia or across the world, they fly into Sydney with immense support for us, and we really enjoy playing in Sydney. We've been getting tremendous support wherever we played
Sri Lanka have a fine record in knockout matches. The reigning World Twenty20 champions also appeared in the past two World Cup finals and won the tournament in 1996.