And an era of Sri Lankan cricket comes to an end today. In what started as a long journey in 2009, former Sri Lanka skipper and batter, Angelo Mathews has bid adieu to Test cricket. Playing his last match against Bangladesh, he went on to score 39 and 8, in his last two innings, that took his overall tally to 8214 runs in 119 Tests, at an average of 44.4.
Angelo Mathews Signs Off With 8214 Runs
That also means, Angelo Mathews ended his Test career as the third-highest run-getter for Sri Lanka, after the likes of Kumar Sangakkara (12400) and Mahela Jayawardene (11814). The next on the list is Dimuth Karunaratne, who ended with 7222 runs. Nonetheless, he got out to Taijul Islam in his final innings.
After having received a guard of honour in the first innings, the Bangladeshi players made sure, to shake hands as the veteran made the long way back to the pavilion, for the one last time. If one talks about some of the records that Mathews went on to create — he had the fourth highest runs at a single venue.
Milestone Man, Mathews
Playing in Galle, in 34 matches, he scored 2253 runs at an average of 44 including two tons, and three fifties. The top three spots are held by his countrymen Jayawardene and Sangakkara. Overall, he had an excellent record at home. Playing in Lanka, he piled on 4336 runs — top the list of players with most runs at home, surpassing even Virat Kohli. That’s not it. During his 16-year old career, he went on to smash 90 sixes, the most by any Sri Lankan in the format.
