Sri Lanka’s star all-rounder, Angelo Mathews, announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday, confirming that the side’s first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh next month will be his final appearance in the format. Angelo Mathews confirmed his departure from the format on his official social media profile.
It is worth noting that Virat Kohli recently announced his retirement from Test cricket; he announced his decision right before India’s upcoming tour of England, and with Angelo Mathews all set to play his final Test game from June 17, he has the option to surpass Virat Kohli in terms of runs scored in home Test matches.
Interestingly, Virat Kohli ended his Test career having scored 4336 runs in home Test matches. Angelo Mathews has amassed 4323 runs in home Test matches so far. He needs 13 runs in the final Test of his career to equal Kohli’s tally and 14 runs to surpass the ace India batter.
Angelo Mathews will retire from Test cricket after the first Test against Bangladesh in Galle, starting on June 17. He will remain available for white-ball selection “if and when my country needs me”, he said in an announcement on his social media handle.
Angelo Mathews has not been picked in a white-ball Sri Lanka side in almost a year, but in any case, the forthcoming Test will mark the end of a Test career that will have stretched for 119 appearances. Angelo Mathews made his debut in the format in 2009, and has been more-or-less a fixture in the side since.
Angelo Mathew’s illustrious test career for SriLanka
One of the stalwarts of Sri Lankan cricket, Angelo Mathews has scored 8167 runs in 118 matches so far with an average of 44.62. He smashed 16 centuries and 45 fifties in his career. Angelo Mathews captained Sri Lanka in 34 Tests, including in some of their most famous victories, especially in Headingley in 2014, where his 160 in the second innings turned the match.
As a batter, his career tally of 8167 runs puts him third on Sri Lanka’s all-time list, behind Kumar Sangakkara (12, 400) and Mahela Jayawardene (11,814). He presently has 16 hundreds, and a Test average of 44.62. Angelo Mathews has only sporadically bowled in Tests, but has 33 wickets in the format.
Among the highlights of his career was a prolific stretch between 2013 and 2015, when he averaged 74.60, 77.33 and 42.25 across the three years, scoring six hundreds and 12 fifties. That purple patch included a second-innings 160 in Sri Lanka’s memorable win at Headingley. Though he never quite recaptured those heights, Angelo Mathews averaged over 50 in both 2022 and 2023, notching up four more centuries. His most recent ton came against Afghanistan in 2024.
In his greatest stretch of form, between 2013 and 2015, Angelo Mathews scaled peaks rarely reached by Sri Lanka batters, hitting 2378 runs at an average of 59.45. Almost all those runs came with him batting at No. 5 or No. 6.
While he never matched that level of batting output again, he has nevertheless been a significant contributor in Tests, notably in 2022 and 2023, when he hit 2141 runs (both years together) at an average of 51.15, though by this stage he had moved up to No. 4. His most-recent Test hundred came against Afghanistan in February 2024.
His Test career has not been without controversy, particularly around 2017 and 2018, when he had been in a public standoff with then-coach Chandika Hathurusinghe. The last few years of his career have been characterised by a greater emphasis on his fitness, after the middle period of his career had been hampered by various leg injuries.
Angelo Mathews shares his grateful thoughts post retirement from test cricket.
Veteran Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews will retire from Test cricket after the first Test against Bangladesh in Galle, starting June 17. Mathews, who turns 38 just before the match, will bring the curtains down on a decorated Test career that began at the very same venue in July 2009. While this marks the end of his red-ball journey, he has made himself available for white-ball selection. Angelo Mathews confirmed the same on his social media handle and also expressed his gratitude for representing Sri Lanka in the longest format of the game
“My dear friends and family, with a grateful heart and unforgettable memories. It is time for me to say goodbye to the most cherished format of the game, International Test Cricket!” wrote Mathews.
” A true servant of Sri Lanka Test Cricket. Thank you…for 17 years of unwavering dedication, leadership, and unforgettable moments in the red-ball format. Your commitment and passion have inspired a generation,” Sri Lanka Cricket stated in its tribute.
“The past 17 years of playing cricket for Sri Lanka have been my highest honour and pride. Nothing can match that feeling of patriotism and servitude when one dons the National Jersey.
I have given my everything to cricket and Cricket has given me everything in return and made me the person that I am today.”
Angelo Mathews, who was Sri Lanka’s all-format captain from 2013 to 2017, said he has considered playing the format the highest honour. Angelo Mathews said he is grateful for the support that he has got over the years, from his family, his coaches and Sri Lanka Cricket.
“I stand grateful to the game and thankful to the thousands of Sri Lanka Cricket fans who have been there for me throughout my career during my highest of highs and lowest of lows. I want to thank almighty GOD, my beloved parents my beautiful wife and amazing children along with my family and closest friends who have collectively always believed in me, backed me and stood by me through and through,” Mathews wrote.
“Furthermore, I wish to extend my special thanks and gratitude to Sri Lanka cricket and all the coaches for their support right throughout my career.
“A chapter ends, but the love for the game will always remain. The first test match against Bangladesh in June will be my last red-ball appearance for my country.” concluded Mathews
The Sri Lankan team will begin the new WTC cycle against Bangladesh. The side played in 13 Tests in the 2023-25 cycle, winning five matches while losing eight to finish sixth in the points table. Bangladesh, meanwhile, were seventh with four wins in 12 matches.
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