Sri Lankan cricket Test team will convey farewell to their legendary Test player Angelo Mathews and at the same time they will welcome three newcomers (in Test cricket) today when the first Test of two-match series of the WTC cycle 2025-27 between Sri and Bangladesh starts at Galle.
One of the all time best Test players of Sri Lanka Angelo Mathews will retire from Test cricket against the Bangladesh team with whom he has a bitter experience.
Former Sri Lanka captain of all formats Angelo Mathews, who has a versatility boasting an elite batting average, bowling contributions, stellar fielding, and strategic captaincy, will say ‘Good by’ to his more than 16 years Test career.
The unique “timed out” dismissal against Bangladesh, might be one of the memorable moments along with his 160 runs against England of his career and also upcoming retirement will mark a significant moments in cricket history. Incidentally Mathews’ Test career is concluding with a match against Bangladesh team, against whom he has the bitter experience in 2023.
Mathews, evidently will recollect the memory today of the incident of 2023 World Cup when he became the first player in international cricket to be dismissed “timed out” during a match against Bangladesh after failing to take guard within two minutes due to helmet issues.
Mathews was one of the most dependable all-rounders of Sri Lanka with his combined and cool temperament with match-winning capability.
Mathews, in his 118 Test, he played pivotal roles in big series wins—most notably the 2014 Test series in England (including a heroic 160 at Headingley).
Mathews is the third-highest Test run-scorer for Sri Lanka, behind legends Sangakkara and Jayawardene.
The former captain Mathews navigated Sri Lanka through a challenging transitional era, highlighted by Test series victories against England (2014) and Australia (2016).
Obviously, the prolific all-rounder Mathews is looking forward to make it a colourful of his last Test today, no doubt .
Now Bangladesh team will have to face the last challenge of Angelo Mathews and some of the fresh bloods, if they would get chance to prove them.
