Former Sri Lanka captain and star all-rounder Angelo Mathews has announced his retirement from international Test cricket after 17 years. In a statement on social media, he announced his retirement after the match against Bangladesh in June. At the same time, Mathews also mentioned that he would continue playing limited-overs formats if the team wanted.
In a post on his Instagram account, the veteran Sri Lankan star wrote, “It is time to bid farewell to international Test cricket with a grateful heart and many memorable moments. It has been the greatest honor and pride for me to play for Sri Lanka for the past 17 years. The feeling of patriotism and being under the national team jersey is unmatched anywhere else.”
The Bangladesh team will travel to Sri Lanka next month to play a full three-format series. The two teams will clash starting with the Galle Test on June 17. And that match will be Mathews’ last time on the field with the red ball, “I have given everything for cricket and received everything in return, which has made me who I am today. I am very grateful to every Sri Lankan fan who has been with me through the ups and downs of my career. The first Test of the Bangladesh series in June will be my last match in the country’s red ball jersey.”
The Sri Lankan all-rounder wants to continue playing white ball cricket even after retiring from the Test format, stating that he will always have love for it. “I have discussed with the selectors about retiring from Tests. At the same time, I want to continue playing in the white ball format, as long as the country needs it. Our current Test team is very talented, with many current and future prospects playing. Now is the right time to make room for newcomers, so that they can make the country’s name shine.”