5 reasons why Angelo Mathews should bat in the top order

New Zealand v Sri Lanka - 1st Test: Day 3 — Sri Lanka's hopes of reviving their batting rests on Mathews' shoulders

#1 The best batsmen bats in the top order

New Zealand v Sri Lanka - 2nd Test: Day 1 — Mathews is Sri Lanka's best batsmen at the moment and hence must claim the responsibility of the innings

This the most crucial reason why Mathews needs to be promoted up in the batting order.

In the current Sri Lankan team, Mathews is the most experienced as well as the most skilled batsmen. With 67 Test under his belt, the Sri Lankan all-rounder has an expansive knowledge of the game and knows how to tackle various situations.

This knowledge and experience can be best exploited in the top order and hence Mathews should be promoted.

Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and Jacques Kallis rose to prominence as they batted in the top-four positions. The best batsmen of this era bat in the top order as well.

From Steve Smith to Joe Root to Virat Kohli, every team ensures that their top batsmen are among the first four players to bat.

Batting in the top four will allow Mathews to anchor the innings and will eventually benefit the team.