Angelo Mathews Retires from Test Cricket
With 16 centuries and 33 wickets in 118 Tests, Angelo Mathews leaves behind a remarkable Test career, and his decision to continue playing white-ball cricket will be welcomed by fans and selectors alike, as he remains a valuable asset to the team.
Angelo Mathews, the former captain of Sri Lanka, has announced his retirement from Test cricket after the first Test against Bangladesh on June 17, bringing an end to his illustrious 15-year career in the format. Mathews will be 38 years old at the time of his final Test and has played 118 Tests, scoring 8,167 runs at an average of 44.62.
Mathews made his Test debut in 2009 and has been a cornerstone of Sri Lankan cricket, leading the team to 13 wins in 34 matches between 2013 and 2017 as captain. He has also scored notable centuries, including 200* against Zimbabwe in 2020 and 160 against England in 2014. Mathews will finish as Sri Lanka's third-highest run-scorer in Tests, behind Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
The veteran all-rounder has cited the need to make way for a younger player to take over as the reason for his retirement. However, he has made himself available for selection in white-ball formats, indicating that he is not ready to hang up his boots just yet. Mathews' decision to retire from Test cricket marks the end of an era for Sri Lankan cricket, but his continued availability for white-ball cricket ensures that he will still be involved in the sport.
Mathews' retirement from Test cricket will be a significant loss for Sri Lanka, but his legacy will continue to be felt in the cricketing world. His contributions to the team over the years have been immense, and he will be remembered as one of the greatest players to have represented Sri Lanka.