“Time to Say Goodbye” – Angelo Mathews to Retire from Test Cricket After First Test Against Bangladesh

Sri Lankan star all-rounder Angelo Mathews has announced his retirement from Test cricket. His final appearance in whites will come in the first Test against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on June 17 in Galle. With that match, Mathews will conclude his illustrious red-ball career having played 119 Tests.

Mathews made the announcement via an emotional Instagram post, stating that the upcoming Test against Bangladesh will be his last in the longest format. After the match, he will no longer don the Test whites for Sri Lanka.

Debuting in July 2009 against Pakistan in Galle, Mathews has represented Sri Lanka in 118 Tests to date. Over a 17-year career, he has amassed 8,167 runs, including 16 centuries, and claimed 33 wickets. Only two players—Kumar Sangakkara (12,400 runs) and Mahela Jayawardene (11,814 runs)—have scored more Test runs for Sri Lanka than Mathews.

In his retirement note, Mathews wrote:

"It has been the greatest honour and privilege to represent Sri Lanka in Test cricket for the past 17 years. I’ve given my all to the game, and the game has given me everything in return. Cricket has shaped the person I am today."

Though stepping away from Test cricket, Mathews has not closed the door on the shorter formats. He expressed his willingness to continue playing limited-overs cricket if needed by the selectors:

"After discussions with the selectors, I am stepping away from the Test format, but I will be available for white-ball cricket whenever the country needs me."

Mathews captained Sri Lanka in 34 Test matches, leading the team to some memorable victories. One of the most iconic was in 2014 at Headingley, where his brilliant second-innings knock of 160 turned the tide in Sri Lanka’s favour.

As he prepares to play his final Test, Mathews' departure marks the end of an era for Sri Lankan cricket. The first Test against Bangladesh will not just be a contest between two nations—but a fitting farewell to a modern great.