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Angelo Mathews

Angelo Davis Mathews (born 2 June 1987) is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer and a former captain of the Sri Lanka national cricket team across all three international formats. An all-rounder known for his middle-order batting and right-arm medium-pace bowling, Mathews has been one of the most prominent figures in Sri Lankan cricket through the 2010s and into the 2020s.

Key facts

Full name Angelo Davis Mathews
Date of birth 2 June 1987
Nationality Sri Lankan
Role All-rounder
National team Sri Lanka
Captaincy Former captain in all formats
Test retirement 2025
Major team honour 2014 ICC World Twenty20 winner; 2014 Asia Cup winner (as captain)

Background

Mathews emerged through Sri Lankan domestic cricket and went on to represent the senior national side in Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Over the course of his international career, he has been one of Sri Lanka's most reliable all-format players, eventually being entrusted with the captaincy of the national team.

International career

Team achievements

Mathews was a member of the Sri Lanka squad that won the 2014 ICC World Twenty20. He was also part of Sri Lankan teams that reached the finals of the 2011 Cricket World Cup, the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2012 ICC World Twenty20.

Captaincy

As captain, Mathews led Sri Lanka to victory at the 2014 Asia Cup. He served as the national skipper across Tests, ODIs and T20Is before subsequently stepping down from the role.

Records and milestones

  • Mathews and Lasith Malinga hold the record for the highest ninth-wicket partnership in ODI cricket.
  • In July 2022, Mathews played in his 100th Test match for Sri Lanka, joining the country's small group of players to reach the milestone.
  • On 7 November 2023, during a group stage match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India, Mathews became the first player in the history of international cricket to be declared timed out without facing a delivery.

Retirement from Tests

Mathews retired from Test cricket in 2025, bringing to a close a long red-ball career with the Sri Lankan side.

Timeline

  • 2 June 1987 – Born.
  • 2009 – Part of the Sri Lanka squad that reached the final of the ICC World Twenty20.
  • 2011 – Part of the Sri Lanka squad that reached the final of the Cricket World Cup.
  • 2012 – Part of the Sri Lanka squad that reached the final of the ICC World Twenty20.
  • 2014 – Won the ICC World Twenty20 with Sri Lanka; led Sri Lanka to the Asia Cup title as captain.
  • July 2022 – Played his 100th Test match for Sri Lanka.
  • 7 November 2023 – Became the first international cricketer to be timed out without facing a delivery, against Bangladesh at the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
  • 2025 – Retired from Test cricket.

Significance

Mathews is regarded as a central figure in Sri Lankan cricket during a transitional period that followed the retirement of the country's senior generation of players in the early 2010s. His all-round abilities, longevity in the Test arena and leadership of the national team across formats have shaped Sri Lanka's results in major International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments and Asian Cricket Council events. The 2023 timed-out dismissal also added an unusual entry to international cricket's record books.

References