Sri Lanka showed their love for one of their cricketing stars, Angelo Mathews, with a guard of honour as he walked onto the field for his last Test match. This happened at Galle International Stadium on June 17, 2025, during the first Test against Bangladesh in their two-match series. Players from the Colts Cricket Club lifted their bats as he passed by, in respect to his huge contribution to cricket in Sri Lanka over a 16 year career.
The series against Bangladesh also marks the start of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship for both teams. Sri Lanka, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, will look to make the most of their home advantage with a mix of old and new. Bangladesh, under Najmul Hossain Shanto, comes in feeling confident and ready to take on the hosts on Galle’s spin friendly pitches. While the series will be competitive, all eyes are on Mathews as he says goodbye.
Mathews announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025 and said the Galle Test will be his last in the longest format. He will still be available for white ball cricket but this will be the end of an era for him. He made his Test debut in 2009 at the same venue, so this is a special goodbye.
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In 119 Tests he scored 8,167 runs at an average of 44.62 with 16 centuries and 45 half centuries, making him third on Sri Lanka’s all time Test run scoring list behind legends Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. He played 118 Tests, fourth on the list of most Tests played for Sri Lanka. He was reliable at home and away and scored nearly half his runs outside of Sri Lanka showing his skill and versatility.
As Sri Lanka says goodbye to one of their best all rounders, the guard of honour and the current Test series is the perfect way to celebrate Angelo Mathews’ amazing career and his lasting impact on Sri Lankan cricket.
