Angelo Mathews draws curtains on 118-match Test career for Sri Lanka

Having made his debut in 2009, 38-year-old Angelo Mathews will be hanging up his boots from the Test arena following the first of two Tests against Bangladesh at Galle beginning June 17. Mathews' 17-year career shall see him end with 119 caps, the fourth most for his nation, and aggregate 8,167 runs along the way -- onlyl Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have more for Sri Lanka. Mathews' 16 tons in the format also places him joint-fourth for Sri Lanka, with his 33 scalps adding to the impact he managed to create for his nation.

"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...The first test match against Bangladesh in June will be my last red-ball appearance for my country," Mathews posted on his social media. 

"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."

Mathews rose through the ranks as a bustling all-rounder capable of changing game with both bat and bell, but quickly turned into a specialist batter in the longest format courtesy of a spree of injuries that plagued him throughout his career. The transition served Mathews well, for he scored his first Test century against Australia in 2011 and went on to average over 40 for each of the next four years. The veteran poeaked in 2014 when he scored 1,160 runs at 77.33 and produced the greatest hit of his career -- a match-winning 160 at Headingley to hand the islanders their first ever series win in England. 

The consistency with bat inevitably led to Mathews' ascension as captain, a role he played for 34 Tests and led the Lankans to 13 wins to end as the country's third most successful skipper. In 2020, Mathews scored his first and only double ton against Zimbabwe, before being dismissed for 199 against Bangladesh two years later -- in his 100th Test no less.

"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. I have given my everything to cricket and Cricket has given me everything in return and made me the person that I am today. 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," the post further read.

Mathews has confirmed he will remain available for ODI and T20I selection, even though he last played white-ball cricket for Sri Lanka in June 2024 before being ommitted from their immediate plans.