Mathews to Conclude Career After Galle Test Against Bangladesh

Sri Lanka’s seasoned all-rounder, Angelo Mathews, voiced his concern on Monday regarding the limited number of Test matches scheduled for Sri Lanka, advocating for expanded opportunities in the game’s longest format.

Mathews is set to retire following the upcoming Galle Test against Bangladesh, commencing on Tuesday. This match will mark the conclusion of his distinguished Test career.

During the pre-match press briefing, Mathews urged the emerging generation of cricketers to prioritize Test cricket and dedicate themselves to mastering the format.

“Truthfully, it’s disheartening. The rising cricketers are very interested in engaging more in Test cricket,” he stated.

Mathews, a Sri Lankan cricket veteran with 118 Test appearances, emphasized the importance of fair opportunities for all cricketing nations, pointing out the widening gap between the dominant ‘Big Three’ – India, Australia, and England – and other teams.

“It stands as the epitome of our sport, and we should strive for increased participation. Teams such as England, India, and Australia participate in over 15 Tests annually; why can’t we?” he questioned.

Mathews lamented the dwindling opportunities for teams beyond the leading trio to engage in red-ball cricket.

“We’ve clinched World Cups, significantly contributing to cricket as a nation; we warrant equal playing opportunities as India, Australia, and England,” he asserted.

The scarcity of matches influenced Mathews’ decision to retire at this juncture. He revealed his choice to participate solely in the series’ first Test to afford his replacement a valuable opportunity in the subsequent match.

“I marked my 100th Test in Galle, so I considered bidding farewell there as well. Primarily, our schedule is sparse. Following this Test, our subsequent commitment is a year away, a considerable delay. Hence, I aimed to provide the player succeeding me a chance, rather than prolonging their debut for a year,” he concluded.

Notably, Sri Lanka is slated to play merely four Tests in 2025, their lowest count in a non-Covid-affected year since 2013.

Throughout the forthcoming 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, Sri Lanka will partake in only 12 Tests, matching Bangladesh for the fewest, while Australia will engage in 22, England 21, and India 18.