New Delhi: Sri Lanka’s all-rounder Angelo Mathews slammed the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the team’s Test cricket schedule in the 2025 calendar year. Mathews last played in Sri Lanka’s tour to South Africa in December said on Monday that he was shocked that the team will be playing only four Test matches this year.
He expressed his frustration in a Sri Lankan newspaper and said that it is very disappointing to not play many Test matches and it’s disheartening to wait for a year between Tests. Mathews further added that he hope that ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) will look into this matter.
“It’s very disappointing not to get that many Tests. It’s really disheartening to wait a year between Tests. Cricket is about rhythm, and such long breaks disrupt everything, affecting players’ careers. I hope ICC and SLC will look into this and work out a much fairer scheduling” said Mathews.
In the ongoing World Test Championship edition, Sri Lankan team has played 11 Test matches and won five out of them. They still have two more Test matches left in the current WTC cycle against Australia at home.
Absolutely shocking to hear that srilanka is only playing 4 test matches this entire year including the aus tests this month @ICC .
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) January 6, 2025
Sri Lanka’s cricket schedule in 2025
The Sri Lankan cricket team will start their 2025 with a two-match Test series against Australia. But after that, there is a five-month gap before their next series against Bangladesh. They will play just six Test matches in 2026, two each against the West Indies, India, and Pakistan. Besides the 2025 Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup, Sri Lankan team is scheduled to play 13 ODI matches and 12 T20I matches by November 2025.
The 37-year-old all-rounder is nearing the twilight of his career and has scored 8042 runs in 116 Test matches, he needs just 1958 runs to join the 10,000-run club. He said that it’s very disappointing to not get consistent opportunities for maintaining form and fitness.
Former Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne who has scored 7165 runs in 98 Test matches said that he has not given up on hopes of getting 10,000 runs in Test cricket but the lack of Test matches isn’t helping him.
“I haven’t given up hopes of getting there (10,000 runs), but it all depends on my form and fitness. This lack of Test matches isn’t helping me” Karunaratne said.
Sri Lanka’s all-rounder Angelo Mathews is disappointed at the number of Test matches his team will play in the 2025 calendar year. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
