Angelo Mathews, who on Friday announced he would bid goodbye to test cricket after the 2 match home series against Bangladesh, would fittingly go down as the new generation prince of Si Lankan cricket fronted by a characteristic fast and furious approach to the game.
Dawning on the scenario in a waning period of former greats since the days of Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya to Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Mathews represented the new bloc who championed Sri Lanka to the world by the dual leverage of a daring hit your way out batsman ingrained in copybook stroke play to an intelligent captain who despite not having the type of player resources of his predecessors, who led from the front to becoming Sri Lanka’s third best result oriented captain with 13 wins from 34 matches.
Indeed, the most significant one leaf of his achievements in the test arena was bringing down England in the very English backyard by a telling lead from the front epoch 160 marathon knock at Leeds, Headingly to Sri Lanka’s first ever series triumph on English soil. That single piece of glory was Everest stuff where others had failed where Mathews succeeded to bleeding the English.
It is the best testament of the fiery cricketer Mathews was as a tremendous game changer which in effect set him apart in the glory of greatness.
If that was one atom of his heroics, his century versus New Zealand when the chips were down to saving the test match at Wellington in 2018 defying the Kiwis attack for a good long seven hours was one of the finest armour of a game warrior to meeting the test of time to saving the day for his country. His unbeaten 200 versus Zimbabwe further underwrote the finery of a showman who exulted in big scores.
Sixteen test hundreds and 45 half centuries in an aggregate of 8167 test runs from 118 appearances does set Angelo Mathews in a hall of fame in Sri Lankan cricket as the fourth highest century maker jointly along with Marvan Athapattu, Dinesh Chandimal, Tillekeratne Dilshan and Dimuth Karunaratne in a standings led by Kumar Sangakkara 38 tons followed by Mahela Jayewardene 34 and Aravinda de Silva third with 20.
A career with the trimmings of a great all-rounder will be one regrettable pinnacle Mathews could not reach beset by constant injuries which put him out of action as a prime medium pacer for a good part of his career which did reverberate with the early promise 3 wickets in his very first over on debut in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Mathews overall greatness driven by his willow works is illustrated in 5916 ODI runs from 226 appearances and 195 innings with three tons and 45 half tons with 1416 T20 runs from 73 innings from 90 matches.
He has taken 33 test wickets, 126 in ODIs and 45 in T20s from 9 appearances.
Announcing his retirement via social media, Mathews said, “It is time for me to say goodbye to the most cherished format of the game, International Test Cricket!”
Following is the text of Mathews’ parting words, “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. 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. Now seems like the best time to make way for a younger player to take the mantle to shine for our nation. I want to thank almighty GOD, my beloved parents my beautiful wife and amazing children along with my family and closest friends who have collectively always believed in me, backed me and stood by me through and through”.
“Furthermore, I wish to extend my special thanks and gratitude to Sri Lanka cricket and all the coaches for their support right throughout my career. A note of thanks to my management team for their dedication and hard work over the years. A chapter ends, but the love for the game will always remain.”