Mathews wants to say goodbye as he wraps up his time with the T20 World Cup
Mathews wants to say goodbye as he wraps up his time with the T20 World Cup
Sri Lanka's star all-rounder, Angelo Mathews, announced his retirement from Test cricket last month. Sri Lankan team will begin the new WTC cycle against Bangladesh.
Sri Lankan cricketer Angelo Mathews is retiring from Test cricket after the first match of the two-game series against Bangladesh in Galle. He hopes to end his white-ball career at the 2026 T20 World Cup, depending on his fitness.
Galle is preparing to give him a grand farewell, as it’s the same venue where he started his Test career in 2009. Mathews noted the coincidence, saying, “I debuted in Galle, played my 100th Test here, and now I’ll say goodbye here.” He explained that Sri Lanka’s next Test match is a year away, so he decided to play only one game and then step aside, allowing his replacement to get a chance before the long break.
Mathews also mentioned that he has spoken to selectors about playing in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka. He plans to prepare for it over the next six months, focusing on his fitness and skills. If he participates, it will likely be his last white-ball tournament.
Looking back at his career, Mathews said he is happy with his journey but admitted that playing all formats for several years affected his body. As captain, he wanted to contribute in every match, but he didn’t manage his workload well, which later impacted his ability to bowl. Despite this, he has no regrets, as he always tried to give his best for Sri Lanka.
Mathews believes that Sri Lankan cricket is improving, thanks to better communication within the team and management. He praised Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, and others for fostering a positive environment, which has helped the team perform well in Tests, ODIs, and T20s over the last two years.
Sri Lanka’s captain, Dhananjaya de Silva, hopes the team can win Mathews' farewell match. He acknowledged Mathews' importance to the team and expressed optimism about Sri Lanka’s future, noting that several young and talented players are coming through the ranks.