Angelo Mathews is a cricket legend from Sri Lanka. He played 119 Test matches. His batting and bowling skills amazed fans. Mathews recently announced his Test retirement.
Born in 1987, Mathews debuted in 2009. He scored 8167 Test runs. His calm nature helped in tough games. He also captained Sri Lanka’s Test team.
Mathews faced many cricket injuries. Yet, he always bounced back strong. His T20 World Cup win in 2014 was huge. He remains available for white-ball cricket.
This article explores his cricket career. It covers his best moments. Learn about his retirement from Tests. Discover why he’s a Sri Lanka cricket hero, like Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardane.
Check out other great cricket stories like MS Dhoni’s ICC Hall of Fame Glory. Also, see recent matches like India vs New Zealand.
Mathews’ Stellar Test Career Shines Bright
Angelo Mathews played 119 Test matches for Sri Lanka. He scored 8167 runs, ranking third all-time. His Test batting stats show an average of 44.62. He hit 16 Test centuries.
Mathews was reliable at Nos. 5 and 6. From 2013 to 2015, he scored 2378 runs. His average then was 59.45. He shone against Pakistan and England.
In 2014, Mathews led Sri Lanka to victory. His 160 at Headingley won the series. This was Sri Lanka’s first Test series win in England. He also bowled, taking 33 Test wickets.
His cricket career had tough moments. Injuries like hamstring tears slowed him. Yet, he reached the 100-Test milestone in 2022. He was dismissed for 199 once.
Mathews faced drama, like the 2023 timed-out incident. He called Bangladesh’s actions “disgraceful.” Still, he ended his career gracefully. Fans loved his final Galle Test.
Explore more Test cricket moments like South Africa vs Afghanistan. Also, read about Virat Kohli’s Test love.
Overcoming Injuries with Grit
Cricket injuries plagued Angelo Mathews later in his career. He tore his hamstring in 2018. This kept him out for months. Still, he returned stronger, like Muralidharan.
In 2019, he took a World Cup wicket. It was his first bowl in months. His resilience inspired fans. Mathews never gave up easily.
His fitness improved in later years. He worked hard to stay fit. This helped him play 119 Tests. His cricket farewell was emotional. See more inspiring stories like Mohammed Siraj’s rise.
Most Test Runs for Sri Lanka
Mathews has scored 47.07% of his runs away from home — higher than even Sangakkara. His adaptability under foreign conditions is often underrated, but the data proves otherwise, like the women’s team.
🔹 Top % of Runs Scored Away (Min 6000 runs):
-
Dinesh Chandimal – 52.11%
-
Aravinda de Silva – 48.28%
-
Angelo Mathews – 47.07%
-
Dimuth Karunaratne – 46.91%
-
TM Dilshan – 46.74%
-
Sangakkara – 44.92%
📊 Graph 2: Percentage of Test Runs Scored Away from Home
Among batters with 1,000+ runs away, Mathews ranks second in average.
-
Sangakkara – 54.1
-
Mathews – 44.2
-
Samaraweera – 43.3
-
Jayawardene – 39.7
His calm and composed approach has made him a reliable batter outside Asia.
🏆 Player of the Series Performances
Mathews has earned 4 Player of the Series awards, showcasing his ability to rise in crunch moments:
| Year | Series | Runs | Avg | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013/14 | SL vs PAK (UAE) | 412 | 103.0 | 1 |
| 2014 | SL in ENG | 306 | 76.5 | 2 |
| 2020 | SL in ZIM | 277 | 138.5 | 1 |
| 2022 | SL in BAN | 344 | 172.0 | 2 |
Each series had him rescuing or dominating in critical phases.
⏳ Graph 3: Test Batting Average by Year (2010–2024)
This graph reflects his highs in 2014, 2020, and 2022, along with the dips post-2015, especially during Sri Lanka’s turbulent years.
🔒 The Golden Years: 2013–2015
Between 2013–15, Mathews was the highest run-scorer in the world at No. 5 and 6:
| Player | Runs | Avg | 50+ Scores |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angelo Mathews | 2201 | 57.92 | 17 |
| Misbah-ul-Haq | 2062 | 54.26 | 21 |
| Joe Root | 1903 | 65.62 | 15 |
This period was arguably his peak, showcasing grit, flexibility, and leadership. Angelo Mathews is not the loudest name in cricket circles, but few have carried the burden of a transitioning team with as much dignity and output as him. His story is not just one of numbers — it’s one of reliability, longevity, and fierce determination, like the Railways vs Delhi match.
As he inches toward the twilight of his Test career, one thing is clear: Mathews’ legacy is secure among Sri Lanka’s cricketing elite.
Captaining Sri Lanka to Glory
Angelo Mathews captained Sri Lanka in 34 Tests. He led with a calm mind. His best moment was in 2014. He guided Sri Lanka to T20 World Cup glory.
In England, he scored 306 runs. His leadership won the Test series. He also bowled key wickets. His allround skills balanced the team.
Mathews faced challenges as captain. In 2017, Sri Lanka lost to Zimbabwe. He was dropped from ODIs. Critics questioned his running speed.
Despite setbacks, Mathews stayed focused. He scored a century in 2018. His Wellington Test save was epic. He flexed his biceps to prove fitness.
Check out other captains like Ricky Ponting. Also, see Australia vs South Africa.
T20 World Cup Heroics
In 2014, Mathews shone in the T20 World Cup. He scored 40 off 23 balls. This was in the semi-final. He also bowled tightly in the final.
His efforts helped Sri Lanka win. Fans still remember his performance. It was a career highlight. Mathews was a true cricket allrounder. Read about other T20 matches like India vs Zimbabwe.
Farewell Test in Galle
The Galle Test in 2025 was special. It was Matthews’ retirement match. Sri Lanka drew with Bangladesh. Mathews batted to save the game. Also, read about Jasprit Bumrah’s Test brilliance.
Bangladesh scored 495 in their first innings. Sri Lanka replied with 485. Mathews faced 45 balls in the final innings. He showed his defensive skills.
The match had rain delays. Bangladesh wanted to win. Their captain, Shanto, scored twin centuries. Yet, the pitch didn’t favor bowlers.
Mathews shared banter with Mushfiqur Rahim. They laughed about old times. Fans cheered as Mathews left the field. His cricket farewell was heartfelt.
Relive the match at Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh. Also, check India vs England.
Legacy Beyond the Pitch
Angelo Mathews left a big mark. His 8167 Test runs are historic. He inspired young Sri Lanka cricket players. His calm nature won hearts.
Fans loved his Galle Test farewell. A kite with his name flew high. His cricket career was full of highs. He remains a cricket legend. See more legacies like the Godfather of Cricket.
Conclusion
Angelo Mathews is a true cricket legend. His Test career spanned 17 years. He scored 8167 runs and took 33 wickets. His T20 World Cup win was unforgettable, like the New Zealand vs India CT 2025.
Despite cricket injuries, Mathews stayed strong. He captained Sri Lanka to big wins. His Headingley 160 was a game-changer. Fans will miss his calm presence.
The Galle Test marked his Test retirement. He defended well to save it. Mathews may still play white-ball cricket. His legacy lives on in Sri Lankan cricket.
