Angelo Mathews, a key figure in Sri Lanka’s middle order, has declared his retirement from Test cricket. He will play his final match in the first Test against Bangladesh in Galle next month.
Mathews has expressed his desire to continue playing in ODIs and T20Is.
“As I step away from Test cricket, I have informed the selectors that I remain available for white-ball formats whenever my country calls on me.”
Angelo Mathews’ Test Career
Mathews began his Test journey in 2009 against Pakistan at the Galle International Stadium—the same venue where he will play his final Test. In that debut, he scored 42 and 27 runs in the two innings and notably dismissed Pakistan’s top run-scorer, Younis Khan, in both innings
Mathews will earn his 119th Test cap, concluding his career as Sri Lanka’s fourth most experienced player in the longest format.
Most Test Matches for Sri Lanka
-
Mahela Jayawardene – 149
-
Kumar Sangakkara – 134
-
Muttiah Muralitharan – 132
-
Angelo Mathews – 118
Test Career:
-
Matches: 118
-
Runs scored: 8,167
-
Centuries: 16
-
Batting average: 44.6
-
Highest score: 200* against Zimbabwe in 2020
Bowling:
-
Wickets taken: 33
-
Bowling average: 54.5
-
Best bowling figures: 4/44 versus England in 2014
Top Run-Scorers for Sri Lanka in Tests
Angelo Mathews, with 8,167 runs, ranks just behind the iconic pair of Sangakkara and Jayawardene.
-
Kumar Sangakkara – 12,400 runs (38 centuries)
-
Mahela Jayawardene – 11,814 runs (34 centuries)
-
Angelo Mathews – 8,167 runs (16 centuries)
Due to injuries during his 17-year career, Mathews has taken only 33 Test wickets. His best bowling performance came during Sri Lanka’s historic victory in England. As captain, Mathews took 4 for 44 in the first innings and scored 160 runs in the second innings against England at Leeds in 2014, helping Sri Lanka secure a Test series win on English soil for the first time.
Angelo Mathews secured 13 victories as captain, ranking just behind Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene, who each have 18 wins.
Mathews’ captaincy stats: 34 matches, 13 wins, 15 losses, and 6 draws.
Following the recent retirement of experienced batter Dimuth Karunaratne, who played 100 Tests, Mathews’ departure marks a challenging rebuilding phase for Sri Lankan cricket.