Mathews rues batting collapse after Test series loss

Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews has slammed his batsmen for putting on a listless performance during their five-wicket loss to New Zealand in the second Test in Hamilton on Monday.

The tourists held a healthy lead of 126 with all 10 second-innings wickets in hand on day three but suffered a batting collapse as they lost all their wickets on a pacy and bouncy track for mere 62 runs.

Resuming at the overnight position of 142-5 and requiring another 47 for victory, New Zealand wrapped up the match under an hour to seal the series 2-0 without losing another wicket, with Williamson remaining unbeaten on 108 and BJ Watling unbeaten on 13.

Reflecting on his side's performance, Mathews said that Sri Lanka had their chances especially after bowling out the hosts for 240-odd runs, Stuff.co.nz reported.

The all-rounder insisted that they just had to bat well and dig deep, but added that they made a real mockery out of their second innings batting. He said that they couldn't give enough runs for their bowlers to get the hosts out.

Sri Lanka will now take on New Zealand in a five-match ODI series and two Twenty20 matches to follow.