Follow UsVeteran Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews has decided to quit Test cricket after the first Test against Bangladesh in June. A stellar career that saw him score 8167 at an average of 44.62, Matthews has 16 centuries and 45 fifties to his name in the longest format of the game.
"The past 17 years of playing cricket for Sri Lanka have been my highest honour and pride," Mathews wrote in a post on X.
"I have given everything to cricket and cricket has given me everything in return and made me the person I am today.
“The first Test match against Bangladesh in June will be my last red-ball appearance for my country. Whilst I bid adieu to the Test format, as discussed with selectors, I will remain available for selection for the white ball format, if and when my country needs me.
“I believe this Test team is a talented side with many future and present greats playing the game. Now seems like the best time to make way for a younger player to take the mantle to shine for our nation.”
The third-highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka, Matthews led Sri Lanka in 34 Test matches. He also picked 33 wickets in the format. Sri Lanka registered a famous victory in Headingley in 2014 under his leadership - a win that was made possible by his 160 runs in the second innings.
With Dimuth Karunaratne already gone and Angelo Mathews having retired, Dinesh Chandimal remains one of the last links to the bygone eras of Sri Lankan batting. Although Mathews has made himself available for white-ball selection — particularly with an eye on the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka — he hasn’t been picked in the limited-overs squad for over a year.