Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews Joins Elite Club of 8000-Run Scorers

Angelo Mathews has etched his name in the history books by becoming the third Sri Lankan batter to score 8000 runs in Test cricket, an elite list also graced by Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Mathews reached this milestone on the second day of the ongoing 2nd Test against South Africa at St George's Park in Gqeberha.

In 205 innings across 116 Test matches, Mathews has scored a total of 8006 runs, cementing his spot in the top three Sri Lankans behind Sangakkara (12,400 runs) and Jayawardene (11,814 runs) in the list of most runs scored by a Sri Lankan in Test cricket. Among active batters, only a select few - Joe Root, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, and Kane Williamson - have surpassed Mathews' Test runs.

Sri Lanka currently sits at 242 runs for the loss of three wickets in response to England's challenge. The team's aim is clear: fight to secure a top-two spot in the ongoing WTC 2023-25 cycle, earning them a place in the highly coveted 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final. Angelo Mathews' recent achievement will undoubtedly give the team the confidence they need going forward.

The milestone comes as a testament to Mathews' enduring contributions to his nation's Test cricket landscape. Following the footsteps of Sangakkara and Jayawardene, Mathews continues to write his own chapter in the annals of Sri Lankan cricket history.