Angelo Mathews to retire from Test cricket, stays available for white-ball selection
Sri Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews has announced his retirement from Test cricket. In a statement released on Friday, May 23, the 37-year-old confirmed that the upcoming Test against Bangladesh in June at the Galle International Stadium will be his final appearance in the longest format of the game.Mathews made his Test debut in 2009 against Pakistan at the same venue in Galle. Over a career spanning 16 years, he has become Sri Lanka's third-highest run-scorer in Test history, behind only Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.advertisementIn 118 Tests, Mathews has scored 8,167 runs at an average of 44.62, including 16 centuries and 45 half-centuries. His highest score - an unbeaten 200 - came against Zimbabwe in 2020 at the Harare Sports Club.
Also Read: SA vs SL: Angelo Mathews joins elite Sri Lanka club with 8000 Test runs'Patriotism and servitude''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 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,' Mathews wrote on his social media handles.'Grateful and thankful'advertisementHowever, Mathews has made himself available for selection in the white-ball formats. It has been 17 years since he made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka, which came against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2008.'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 first test match against Bangladesh in June will be my last red-ball appearance for my country.'Whilst I bid adieu to the test format, as discussed with selectors I will remain available for selection for the white ball formats, if and when my country needs me. I believe this test team is a talented side with many future and present greats playing the game,' Mathews said.Mathews led Sri Lanka in 34 Tests from 2013 to 2017, winning 13 of them. It was his 160-run knock that helped Sri Lanka beat Alastair Cook's England by 100 runs at the Headingley in Leeds. In 226 ODIs and 90 T20Is, Mathews has notched 5916 and 1416 runs respectively, with three centuries and 46 fifties.
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