`If it was me I wouldn't have left`: Mathews on Smith's mid-series exit

Melbourne [Australia], Aug 27 (ANI): Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has said that he wouldn't have left his team in the middle of an intense series like his Australian counterpart Steve Smith has done. David Warner was named as stand-in skipper for the remaining three ODI games of the five-match series after Steve Smith was rested keeping in mind the upcoming series against South Africa. Australia chief selector Rod Marsh and head coach Darren Lehmann had requested Smith to take a break to which the skipper had reluctantly agreed. "They have their own player-management system," Mathews was quoted as saying by news.com.au. "But honestly, if it was me I wouldn't have because it is a tough tour and you need the captain alongside the playing 11." The ODI series is currently locked 1-1 and Mathews believes Sri Lanka hold a mental edge over the tourists ahead of the third match in Dambulla on Sunday. Meanwhile, Warner stated that Australia, who were completely outclassed in the preceding Test series, need to up the ante and back themselves in the next three games to clinch the ODI series. (ANI)