Drama over the selection of former Sri Lanka Cricket captain Angelo Mathews took a new turn today with national selectors deciding to exclude him from the upcoming ODI and T20 series against England.

Cricket sources said Mathews had been omitted from the squad due to “fitness concerns.”

However, it learnt that Mathews has demanded a fitness test from cricket authorities to prove their claims on his fitness.

Mathews had also reminded Lankan cricket authorities that he was highest run scorer in the recently concluded  series against South Africa. 

This came a day after Mathews wrote a damning letter to Sri Lanka Cricket explaining the circumstances leading to his decision to step down from captaincy.

In the letter, Mathews said he would step down from captaincy as requested by national selected and the head coach, he also laments that the captain has been made a “scapegoat” for the team’s debacle in Asia Cup.

“I am willing to take part of the blame. At the same time, I feel betrayed and let down if the blame is solely put on me. As you know, all decisions are taken through a mutual understanding with selectors and the head coach,” Mathews said, in his letter, adding that he did not agree with the view that the losses should be accrued single-handedly to the captain.