By Callistus Davy
Angelo Mathews, one of Sri Lanka’s most dignified and dependable cricketers, bid an emotional farewell at the Galle International Stadium, where his Test journey both began and ended. With 8,214 runs, 16 centuries, and the heart of a nation behind him, Mathews steps down after 15 years of unwavering service. As the last of Sri Lanka’s golden era giants, his exit leaves a legacy of resilience, leadership, and class.
One of Sri Lanka’s most modestly humble cricketing icons brought down the curtain on a Test career that spanned over 15 years and expressed confidence that his teammates he leaves behind and their successors have enough potential to take the country’s passion forward.
For Angelo Mathews, the maker of 8,214 runs that made him the third-highest scorer behind Kumar Sangakkara (12,400) and Mahela Jayawardena (11,814), it marked an emotional farewell at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday—where, interestingly, he played his maiden Test and which was emotionally his last, at the drawn first Test against Bangladesh.
“I cannot believe the love I have received since I announced my retirement (in May). I am overwhelmed and ever grateful to all of you,” said Mathews, now 38, to fans in Galle who flocked in their numbers to see him bow out as the last of the Test heavyweights who emerged as a finished product from his alma mater, St. Joseph’s College in Colombo—a school with an enviable history of moulding the careers of many Sri Lankan cricketers.
The fans in Galle, like the rest of his adoring cricket followers in the country, had seen Mathews go through some of the most enduring moments both on and off the field and stood by him as he battled internal politics in cricket’s establishment, taking it all in his stride.
“I thank all of you (common followers). It was not an easy journey full of ups and downs and I am ever so grateful to all my coaches and players (teammates) who supported me,” said Mathews, who did his part as captain, batsman, and bowler.
He was left isolated after the retirements of Sangakkara, Mahela, and Tillakaratne Dilshan, but being the true servant of Sri Lanka cricket, he held the fort like a big brother guiding his siblings through a deluge.
The exit of Mathews after featuring in 119 Test encounters leaves the Sri Lanka team with a void hard to fill, and it is likely that none will be able to fit into his boots in the foreseeable future.
But the striker of 16 Test hundreds and 45 half-centuries had many words of encouragement, assuring fans that Sri Lanka can look forward to better days.
“It is time for the younger players to take the baton and drive Sri Lanka through, and certainly we have the talent and the skill in the dressing room,” said Mathews.
In his book of laurels will be Sri Lanka beating England in a Test series in England and whitewashing Australia 3-0 in a home series.
Mathews became probably the only batsman in Test history to be timed out, in a match against Bangladesh three years ago, but on Saturday the entire Bangladesh team rallied around him with handshakes and pats when he left the field for the last time as the sun set on the nearby horizon.
“I congratulate Bangladesh for a wonderful Test match. They pushed us to the wall,” Mathews told them in a parting message.
