Tag: Angelo Mathews

Angelo Mathews announces retirement from Test cricket

Sri Lankan cricket stalwart Angelo Mathews has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket, drawing the curtain on an illustrious red-ball career that spanned nearly a decade and a half.

The first Test against Bangladesh in June will mark the 37-year-old’s final appearance in whites for Sri Lanka.

Mathews shared the news via an emotional statement on social media, confirming his decision to step away from the format he called the “most cherished” of his career.

“My dear friends and family, with a grateful heart and unforgettable memories. It is time for me to say goodbye to the most cherished format of the game, International Test Cricket,” he wrote.

“The past 17 years of playing cricket for Sri Lanka has been my highest honour and pride. Nothing can match that feeling of patriotism and servitude when one dons the National Jersey.”

While bowing out of the longest format, Angelo Mathews made it clear that he’s still available for selection in ODIs and T20Is “if and when my country needs me.”

His decision comes amid Sri Lanka’s sparse red-ball calendar—Mathews would likely have had to wait until May 2026 for another Test. That, coupled with his approaching 38th birthday, made it the right time to call it quits.

Since making his Test debut in 2009, Mathews has been a consistent presence for Sri Lanka. In 119 Tests, he has scored 8,167 runs at an average of 44.62, placing him third on the country’s all-time list behind only Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

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His 16 centuries include some iconic knocks, none more famous than his match-defining 160 at Headingley in 2014, a win that remains one of Sri Lanka’s greatest away triumphs.

Though often used sparingly as a bowler, Mathews still chipped in with 33 wickets, often breaking stubborn partnerships or chipping in when needed.

His peak years came between 2013 and 2015, when he scored 2,378 runs at an average of 59.45, largely batting in the lower middle order.

Mathews’ farewell message oozed grace and humility. He thanked the fans, teammates, and the game itself, acknowledging the highs and lows of his journey.

“I have given my everything to cricket and cricket has given me everything in return. I stand grateful to the game and thankful to the thousands of Sri Lanka fans who have supported me throughout my career.”

“I have given my everything to cricket and Cricket has given me everything in return and made me the person that I am today,” he stated.

“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.”

While his time in whites is coming to an end, Angelo Mathews is not completely walking away. He remains open to wearing the Sri Lankan jersey in ODIs and T20Is, should the team call upon his experience and class.

READ: Pakistan, India likely to be in separate groups for T20 World Cup 2026

Angelo Mathews raises concern over Sri Lanka’s Test schedule in 2025

Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews has expressed his deep concerns regarding the strikingly limited Test schedule for the national men’s cricket team in 2025.

Sri Lanka is set to play a meagre four Test matches this year according to the ICC’s Future Tours Program (FTP).

They are scheduled to play a two-match Test series against Australia, one of the finalists of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25.

After the series against Australia in February, Sri Lanka will play the remaining two matches against Bangladesh in June.

The series against Bangladesh will be Sri Lanka’s first in the 2025-27 ICC WTC cycle. It’s worth noting that Sri Lanka are set to play only eight Test matches in 2026 and 2027.

Reflecting on the current period, Sri Lanka’s Test schedule for the ongoing 2023-25 WTC edition has also been notably sparse, with them participating in merely 13 Test matches.

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This number is only slightly higher than that of Bangladesh and South Africa, who have each completed 12 Tests.

Angelo Mathews took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account and raised concerns over the limited number of matches his team is scheduled to play.

“Absolutely shocking to hear that Sri Lanka is only playing four Test matches this entire year, including the Australia Tests this month,” Mathews posted.

It’s worth noting that according to reports, the ICC is considering implementing a two-tier structure in Test cricket.

The Herald reported on Tuesday that Australia, England, India and the ICC’s new chairman Jay Shah would meet this month to discuss a two-tier structure.

Any move to two divisions would kick in after the end of the current Future Tours Programme in 2027, it added, citing sources with knowledge of the talks.

READ: Saim Ayub heads to London for urgent treatment after ankle injury

Angelo Mathews apologises after Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup debacle

Sri Lanka’s experienced all-rounder Angelo Mathews offered an apology following the team’s early exit from the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, co-hosted by the United States of America (USA) and West Indies.

In a media talk ahead of Sri Lanka’s final game against the Netherlands on Sunday, he reflected on the team’s campaign in the marquee event and discussed the unpredictable nature of the shorter format.

“I think first of all we’ve let the entire nation down and we are really sorry because we’ve let ourselves down,” said Matthews. “We never expected this. I mean, we came across a lot of challenges but those are not something to sort of worry about, but it’s unfortunate that we didn’t make the second round.”

“This format is such where you can’t take any team lightly. I mean they come up with, they’ve got nothing to lose and you can’t you can’t take any team lightly. I mean we’ve seen that especially over the last few years also especially in this tournament, we have seen teams beating bigger teams. As I always say you can’t take any team lightly,” he added.

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Meanwhile, Matthews expressed hope that his team will close out on a high note and will look to edge the Netherlands in their final game in the T20 World Cup 2024.

“It’s very important. I think we can’t take any given team lightly. We saw Nepal beat South Africa yesterday. It’s unfortunate that our Nepal game was washed out. But it is what it is. We have just one more game in the tournament, and we’ll play for pride,” he said.

Sri Lanka lost their matches against South Africa in New York and Bangladesh in Dallas while their fixture against Nepal washed out in Florida at the T20 World Cup 2024.

They were officially eliminated in the group stage after Bangladesh beat the Netherlands in St Vincent on June 13.

Sri Lanka’s early exit means it is now a decade since they reached the semi-finals of a T20 World Cup.

READ: Shaheen Afridi equals Imad Wasim’s T20I record

Mushfiqur Rahim mocks Angelo Mathews with timed-out celebration

CHITTAGONG: Bangladesh wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim on Monday, mocked Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews by mimicking his famous timed-out dismissal, which occurred at the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.

The incident took place when the hosts Bangladesh were celebrating their 2-1 ODI series victory over arch-rivals Sri Lanka.

As the Bangladesh squad gathered to pose with the trophy, Rahim walked out with a helmet.

Mushfiqur Rahim was enacting as if there was something wrong with the helmet to mock Angelo Mathews for his famous timed-out dismissal during the ODI World Cup 2023.

Remember, the Sri Lankan team celebrated their T20I series victory over Bangladesh by simultaneously pointing and tapping on the watch in a bid to take a dig at the Tigers.

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It is worth mentioning here that Angelo Mathews became the first player to suffer a timed-out dismissal in the history of international cricket.

Mathews came down to bat in the 25th over of Sri Lanka’s innings after the fall of Sadeera Samarawickrama’s wicket.

The former captain took more than two minutes to take strike after having issues with his helmet due to a broken strap. Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan appealed for a “timed out” dismissal, which was upheld by the on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth.

The ICC World Cup 2023 playing conditions pertaining to “timed out” dismissals reads thus:

40.1.1 After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball, or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 2 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.

READ: Tanzid, Hossain power Bangladesh to series win against Sri Lanka

Watch: Williamson, Boult engage in funny banter with Angelo Mathews

New Zealand cricketers Kane Williamson and Trent Boult made news with their funny moment involving Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews during the side’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 fixture at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Angelo Mathews, who became the first batter in the history of cricket to be timed out in Sri Lanka’s previous World Cup clash against Bangladesh, came out to bat in the ninth over against New Zealand.

As he walked towards the pitch, Trent Boult said something which made Angelo Mathews smile.

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Then, Kiwi captain Kane Williamson joined the fun when the former Sri Lanka captain was about to take guard. He asked him if his helmet was alright.

He asked Angelo Mathews, “Got yourself a sturdy lid, mate? Strap intact?”

Angelo Mathews took New Zealand captain’s remarks in good spirit and the two laughed about it.

It is pertinent to mention that Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan stirred controversy by getting Angelo Mathews dismissed “timed-out” in Monday’s ICC World Cup 2023 clash.

During the 25th over of the Sri Lanka innings, Angelo Mathews came into bat after Sadeera Samarawickrama’s dismissal. He could not secure his helmet strap tightly enough.

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His equipment malfunction led to a delay in the resumption of play. Shakib Al Hasan, as a result, appealed for the “timed-out dismissal as Angelo Mathews had not taken guard within the two-minute limit.

Officials Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth raised the matter with both teams amid the pandemonium. The Sri Lanka captain tried to convince the Bangladesh all-rounder but the latter did not withdraw his appeal.

As far as the action was concerned, Sri Lanka have set a target a 172-run target for the 2019 finalists in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 encounter. The side were dismissed for 171 in 46.4 overs.

Opener Kusal Perera was the standout batter as he scored a half-century. He struck nine boundaries and two maximums on his way to 28-ball 51.

Maheesh Theekshana went unbeaten at 38 off 91 deliveries. He put on a 43-run partnership with Dilshan Madushanka (19 from 48).

Trent Boult was the pick of New Zealand bowlers with his superb figures of 3-37 in 10 overs. His fellow pacer Lockie Ferguson along with spin duo Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra took three wickets each.

READ: England crush Netherlands to boost Champions Trophy 2025 hopes

Angelo Mathews becomes the first batter to get ‘timed out’ in international cricket

Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews was on Monday given “timed out” in an ICC World Cup 2023 clash against Bangladesh, becoming the first man to suffer the dismissal in the history of international cricket.

Angelo Mathews, who joined the Sri Lankan squad late as a replacement for injured pace bowler Matheesha Pathirana, came down to bat in the 25th over at the fall of Sadeera Samarawickrama’s wicket and scoreboard reading 135-4.

The former captain took more than two minutes to take strike after having issues with his helmet due to a broken strap. Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan appealed for a “timed out” dismissal, which was upheld by the on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth.

The ICC World Cup 2023 playing conditions pertaining to “timed out” dismissals reads thus:

40.1.1 After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball, or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 2 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Sri Lanka ICC World Cup 2023 squad

Kusal Mendis (c)(wk), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne

READ: Sri Lanka sacks cricket board days after ICC World Cup 2023 thrashing

Angelo Mathews replaces injured Pathirana in Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad

COLOMBO: Experienced all-rounder Angelo Mathews has replaced injured pacer Matheesha Pathirana in Sri Lanka’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2023.

Pathirana sustained a shoulder injury in Sri Lanka’s six-wicket defeat against Pakistan and was consequently ruled out of his side’s next ICC World Cup 2023 fixtures against Australia and the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, Angelo Mathews, who last played an ODI in June, had already linked up with the Sri Lanka squad ahead of their clash against the Netherlands, called up as a travelling reserve alongside pacer Dushmantha Chameera.

Mathews’ inclusion will serve as a major confidence booster for Sri Lanka, who can bank on his huge experience. The all-rounder represented the nation in 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cups.

Angelo Mathews also captained Sri Lanka in the 2015 World Cup.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Meanwhile, Matheesha Pathirana’s exclusion marked a second blow to Sri Lanka in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 as their captain Dasun Shanaka was also ruled out of the mega event due to a quadriceps tear, which he also picked up during his side’s fixture against Pakistan.

Pacer Chamika Karunaratne replaced Shanaka in the squad while wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis took the leadership role.

Furthermore, Sri Lanka are also with their ace spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who also missed out on the World Cup due to an injury.

For the unversed, former champions Sri Lanka are struggling to get going in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 as they currently hold ninth position with only two points in four matches.

They next face defending champions England on October 26, who are at the bottom of the table, also with two points in four matches.

Sri Lanka Squad for ICC World Cup 2023: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne.

READ: ECB announces England Men’s Central Contract for 2023/24

Angelo Mathews dropped as Sri Lanka name squad for CWC Qualifier

COLOMBO: Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews has been left out of Sri Lanka’s squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe in June.

Angelo Mathews returned to the 50-over format after a two-year hiatus ahead of Sri Lanka’s away ODI series against New Zealand earlier this year.

The return had glimmered a ray of hope for the 36-year-old of a World Cup swansong.

However, the second ODI against Afghanistan last week saw him removed from the Playing XI due to a spate of poor performances; after his comeback, he had scores of 18, 0, and 12.

Sadeera Samarawickrama, who filled in for Angelo Mathews in the aforementioned match, hit a brisk 44, which allowed him to be retained in the lineup for the third ODI.

His comeback, along with Dimuth Karunaratne’s, was considered a shift in the selectors’ strategy to prioritise experience during a World Cup year prior to the Afghanistan series.

However, Angelo Mathews’s series of dismal performances forced the selectors to reconsider their strategy for the World Cup preparations.

The rest of the Sri Lankan squad has little to no changes from their squad for the Afghanistan ODIs with captain Dasun Shanaka leading the likes of Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva and Samarawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga fill the allrounders’ slots, while Hasaranga also leads a spin department that also includes Maheesh Theekshana and legspinner Dushan Hemantha.

The former champions Sri Lanka will start their Cricket World Cup Qualifier campaign on June 19 against UAE in Bulawayo before playing three warm-up matches.

Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt), Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana.

READ: Shadab Khan achieves unique landmark T20s

Mathews ton inspires Sri Lanka, New Zealand chase falters

CHRISTCHURCH: A classy century from Angelo Mathews and the early wicket of Devon Conway kept Sri Lanka’s World Championship hopes alive in the first Test against New Zealand on Sunday. 

“We’ve given ourselves a great chance to win the Test match,” Mathews said after his masterful 115, made from nearly six hours in the middle in Christchurch.

His innings rescued Sri Lanka from a tight spot and led the tourists to a second innings total of 302.

That set New Zealand a target of 285, and the home side were 28 for one by stumps after 17 overs, with Conway out for five.

Tom Latham was not out 11 with Kane Williamson on seven, with New Zealand requiring 257 on the final day. The highest fourth-innings score at Hagley Oval is 256 for eight in a drawn Test.

“We had to work extremely hard to get those runs and we’ve got the fast bowlers to exploit the conditions,” Mathews said.

“We had the belief that if the batters get the runs on the board the fast bowlers will come into play.

“We need to strike early (Monday) to get into the game and if we can open one end we can put a lot of pressure on the Kiwis.”

Sri Lanka need another nine wickets on the final day but their chances could be dashed by rain that is forecast for the morning.

New Zealand have only pride at stake but Sri Lanka, playing their first Test in seven months, are chasing their ticket to the World Test Championship final against Australia.

They must win in Christchurch as well as the second Test in Wellington to make the final.

Sri Lanka also need Australia to win or draw their current fourth Test against India.

There was jubilation in the Sri Lankan camp when Kasun Rajitha had Conway caught and bowled for five, and similar scenes when he thought he had Williamson lbw without scoring.

Sri Lanka reviewed the not out call but Williamson, who only made one in the first innings, was safe.

Mathews went to the middle late Saturday with Sri Lanka in trouble at 81 for three, which became 95 for four early Sunday with the dismissal of nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya.

But New Zealand’s confidence was dented as the 35-year-old Mathews put on 105 for the fifth wicket with Dinesh Chandimal and added a further 60 with Dhananjaya de Silva before he was dismissed by Matt Henry.

His 235-ball innings, filled with chanceless ones and twos and 11 boundaries, took Sri Lanka to a position of strength.

De Silva continued the momentum with his late cameo, finishing unbeaten on 47 while Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara chimed in with scores of 14 and eight as Henry mopped up the tail.

Blair Tickner, who accounted for the Sri Lanka top order, took four for 100 while Henry finished with three for 71.

New Zealand seamer Neil Wagner, who left the field injured on Saturday, did not bowl after scans revealed a bulging disc in his back and a torn right hamstring.

Wagner has been ruled out of the second Test starting on Friday.

READ: Kohli ends three-year century drought in final Australia Test

Angelo Mathews falls on 199, registers an unwanted record

CHITTAGONG: Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews got dismissed on 199 against Bangladesh and registered an unwanted record to his name, here on Monday.

On day two of the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh, Mathews, who was looking in fine touch, seemed comfortable registering his double century in Test cricket.

The 34-years-old all-rounder, who has a Test best of 200* against Zimbabwe, however, failed to register his second double ton as he fell to the right-arm spinner, Nayeem Hasan.

Following his unlucky dismissal, Mathews became just the 12th batter in history to fall one short of a double century. He is also just the third Sri Lankan batter to miss the milestone by a mere one run.

 

Furthermore, the former captain has become the only batter in Test cricket history, to be dismissed on both 99 and 199.

 

New Zealand’s Martin Crowe, on the other hand, is the only batter to be dismissed on 299 in Test cricket.

READ: WATCH: Babar Azam supervises his brother Safeer’s batting practice

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