Angelo Davis Mathews is a renowned cricket player from Sri Lanka known for his robust batting technique, consistent bowling skills, athleticism in the field, and imperturbable temperament. While injuries and conflicts with the Sri Lankan cricket board have hindered his progress, Mathews remains one of Sri Lanka’s most prized assets.
Mathews’ all-round skills in limited-overs cricket have been invaluable to the Sri Lankan team. In the 2011 World Cup semi-final, when he pulled a quad, the team had to make three changes in the final owing to the balance he single-handedly provided. Initially aspiring to be a genuine allrounder, Mathews eventually focused primarily on his batting, becoming a specialist batsman in the Test side. He has consistently provided solidity to the lower-middle order.
One of his most memorable performances came in December 2013 against Pakistan, where he batted for seven and a half hours, scoring an unbeaten 157 runs (in addition to his 91 in the first innings), saving a Test in Abu Dhabi. In 2014, Mathews had a stellar year, accumulating 1160 Test runs at an impressive average of 77.33. His standout moment was a magnificent 160 at Headingley, which transformed the match and led Sri Lanka to their first Test series win in England. He also played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup victory earlier that year, with a quickfire 40 off 23 balls in the semi-final against West Indies.
Taking over the captaincy in 2013, Mathews led Sri Lanka to a series win in England. However, following a disappointing ODI series loss to Zimbabwe at home in 2017 and an early exit from the Asia Cup in 2018, Mathews was dropped from the one-day team due to concerns about his running between wickets.
Mathews’ career has been marked by numerous injuries, but his determination has never wavered. His resilience was evident in the Wellington Test in December 2018, where he batted for over seven hours to save the match. In celebration, he dropped to the pitch to do ten push-ups and flexed his biceps, conveying his discontent despite being called cricket-unfit. However, he suffered a hamstring tear in the following Test, ruling him out for four months.
Adding to the drama, Mathews took a wicket off his first ball in the 2019 World Cup, having not bowled for eight months prior to that moment. Despite the challenges and injuries faced in the latter part of his career, Mathews reached the milestone of playing 100 Tests in 2022, becoming the 12th player to be dismissed for 199 in a Test match.
Angelo Mathews has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Sri Lankan cricket with his contributions as a talented all-rounder. With his skills and determination, he remains a prized asset for the Sri Lankan team, inspiring young cricketers and leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.
