Sri Lankan Legend Announces Retirement From Cricket

After nearly two decades at the heart of Sri Lankan cricket, one of the nation’s most accomplished and enduring players is preparing for to bid farewell to the “gentleman’s game.”

Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews has announced he will retire from Test cricket following the first Test against Bangladesh in Galle, which begins on June 17. Mathews, who turns 38 next week, made the announcement on social media, stating he will remain available for white-ball selection “if and when my country needs me.”

Mathews debuted in Test cricket in 2009 and has since played 119 matches, scoring 8,167 runs—third on Sri Lanka’s all-time list behind Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. He has 16 Test centuries and an average of 44.62, and has also contributed with the ball, taking 33 wickets.

A former Test captain, Mathews led Sri Lanka in 34 matches, including their memorable win at Headingley in 2014, where his second-innings 160 was pivotal. His most prolific period came between 2013 and 2015, when he scored 2,378 runs at an average of 59.45, mostly batting at No. 5 or 6.

Mathews has continued to be a key performer in recent years, scoring 2,141 runs at an average of 51.15 in 2022 and 2023, and notching his latest Test hundred against Afghanistan in February 2024.

Reflecting on his career, Mathews said, “The past 17 years of playing cricket for Sri Lanka has been my highest honour and pride. I have given everything to cricket and cricket has given me everything in return and made me the person I am today.”

With Sri Lanka’s Test schedule set to slow down, Mathews’ final appearance in the format will mark the end of a distinguished Test career, though he remains open to representing Sri Lanka in limited-overs cricket in the future.