Angelo Mathews to Retire from Test Cricket After Galle Match Against Bangladesh
Veteran Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews has announced that he will retire from Test cricket following the first Test against Bangladesh, set to begin on June 17 in Galle. The 38-year-old will bring the curtain down on a remarkable red-ball career that started at the same venue in July 2009, marking a full-circle moment for one of Sri Lanka’s finest cricketers.
Mathews confirmed his decision via a heartfelt social media post on Thursday, writing:
“It is time for me to say goodbye to the most cherished format of the game, international Test cricket! I have given everything to cricket and cricket has given me everything in return and made me the person I am today.”
While stepping away from the longest format, Mathews stated that he remains available for white-ball cricket “if and when my country needs me.”
End of an Era
The Galle Test will be Mathews’ 119th appearance in the format, 34 of which he played as Sri Lanka’s Test captain. Heading into his farewell match, Mathews has scored 8,167 runs at an average of 44.62, with 16 centuries, including a highest score of 200 not out. With the ball, he has contributed 33 wickets, proving to be a true all-rounder.
Mathews is set to retire as Sri Lanka’s third-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, behind legends Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
Career Highlights
- Mathews enjoyed a golden run between 2013 and 2015, when he averaged 74.60, 77.33, and 42.25 across the three years.
- He scored six hundreds and 12 fifties during this prolific phase.
- A memorable highlight was his second-innings 160 at Headingley, guiding Sri Lanka to a famous Test win in England.
- Even in the twilight of his career, he remained productive, averaging over 50 in 2022 and 2023, and scoring four centuries in those two years.
- His most recent Test century came in 2024 against Afghanistan.
Farewell with Grace
In his farewell message, Mathews expressed his gratitude:
“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.”
He also praised the current Sri Lanka squad, describing it as a team with many “future and present greats” and said now is the right time to step aside for a younger player.
“A chapter ends but the love for the game will always remain.”
Angelo Mathews leaves behind a rich legacy in Sri Lankan cricket—a blend of resilience, class, and leadership. His presence will surely be missed in the whites, but his impact on the game will endure for generations to come.
