Mathews wants to bat up the order

While speaking to media persons at the ICC World Twenty20 pre-event press conference, on Tuesday, the Lankan vice-captain, who usually bats at No. 5 or 6, said that he wants to bat higher up the order. However, he was ready to forgo his desire in the best interest of the team.“I’d like to contribute to the team much more and would prefer to come a bit earlier in the batting line up. If there is no other option I am prepared to sacrifice and put in my best foot forward…in any possible way,” said the 25-year-old Colombo-born batsman, who also bowls right-arm medium pace.Misbah-ul-Haq, the Test and ODI skipper of Pakistan, on Tuesday urged the critiques to stop blaming captain for team’s defeat.Misbah has been under criticism since Pakistan’s back-to-back ODI series defeats at the hands of Sri Lanka and Australia. Many blame his defensive captaincy tactics as well as tranquil batting approach for team’s recent slump in the 50-over format and have urged him to step down as ODI skipper, and better bid farewell to this format of the game as well.But Misbah, who was appointed as limited-overs skipper in May last year, said that cricket is a team game and a single person cannot be blamed for team’s failure. “When the team wins it gets the credit and this should also be the case when we lose a match, he added further.Nasser Hussain, former England captain, on Tuesday urged the ECB selectors to prefer Luke Wright over struggling Ravi Bopara in the forthcoming ICC World T20, in Sri Lanka.While speaking to Sky Sports the cricketer turned commentator said that Bopara is going through a patchy phase and will take some time to come out of it, so he should not be picked in the playing XI in the marquee tournament, where England will be defending the title.You’ve to put Ravi out of his misery,” said Hussain. Luke is a very good cricketer, has played brilliantly for Sussex this season and deserves his chance, he added further.