Sri Lanka's Mathews hails 'dream run' in final Test against Bangladesh
The red-ball matches between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be followed by a white-ball series of three one-day internationals and three T20s.
Hosts Sri Lanka begin the contest as firm favourites, eager to turn a fresh page after a stuttering end to the previous WTC cycle.
Sri Lanka were firmly in the mix for a place in the WTC final until December before the wheels came off spectacularly.
Two defeats in South Africa followed by a twin collapse at Galle against Australia saw them tumble down the rankings.
"We had one hand on a spot in the final but a few brain fades at crunch moments cost us dearly," Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva told reporters on Monday.
"We've learnt our lessons. A strong home start lays the foundation for success on the road."
'Dream run'
Sri Lanka's squad includes six uncapped players, with at least one debut cap set to be handed out.
Spin remains Sri Lanka's strength, with Prabath Jayasuriya the key and selectors also calling up off-spinner Akila Dananjaya.
Bangladesh enter the series without stalwarts Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is realistic about the challenge.
"Tamim and Shakib -– those are massive boots to fill," he said. "But this is a chance for the young guys to put their hands up."
Shanto, who is playing in Galle for the first time, said the team have "prepped well and we're ready for the challenge".
The Test will also be the swansong of Sri Lanka's veteran Angelo Mathews, who is retiring after 118 Tests.
The former skipper also played his first Test on the famous pitch perched beneath the fortress in Galle in 2009.
"It's been a dream run," said 38-year-old Mathews.
"The wins in England in 2014 and whitewashing the Aussies in 2016 stand out. I've seen so many youngsters come through the ranks," he said.
"I truly believe Sri Lanka's future is in good hands."
Sri Lanka have won 20 of the 26 Tests they have played against Bangladesh, who have only managed a solitary win along with five draws.
The second Test will begin in Colombo on June 25.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
4 days ago
- France 24
Dropping Pope for India Test would have been 'remarkable', says England's Stokes
There were suggestions vice-captain Pope and rising star Jacob Bethell were vying for the same batting spot in the first game of a five-Test series at Headingley, starting on Friday. Bethell impressed on England's New Zealand tour in November and December before Pope underlined his credentials with a mammoth century during an innings victory against Zimbabwe last month. Bethell missed that match, opting instead to play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League. Stokes, a loyal supporter of 27-year-old Pope, was emphatic in his backing of the batsman at a press conference on the eve of the match. "The 'big selection' (idea) did not come from us," he said. "It would be remarkable to choose someone else if their last knock was a 170, and that's pretty much all I need to say on that. "Scoring 170 definitely doesn't do anyone any harm, but having him at number three since I've been captain over a three-year period, averaging over 40, it speaks for itself." Bethell, 21, has enormous talent and has impressed in all three international formats, though he is yet to score a century in professional cricket. The debate over how he fits into the Test side will continue to rage but Stokes believes Pope has the maturity to block out the noise. "In this day and age it's very tough not to see all that speculation, just because of how easily accessible things are," said the captain. "You don't even have to go and hunt for it. "But I think scoring 170 in his last Test match has sort of shown how well he's handled that extra scrutiny." The match at Headingley signals the start of a new World Test Championship cycle, just days after South Africa defeated Australia in a memorable final at Lord's. Stokes has been a longtime critic of the WTC's format, labelling it "utterly confusing", and England will once again play the most Tests over the next two years. Five-match series against India and Australia threaten to make England's bid to qualify for the 2027 showpiece harder, but Stokes believes he is better off concentrating on the task in front of him. "If we win enough games of cricket, then we'll find ourselves there at the final at the World Test Championship," said the all-rounder. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the winners of the upcoming series would receive the new Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, named in honour of England's record wicket-taker and India's top run-scorer. "It's a proud moment for me and my family to have this iconic series named after Sachin and myself," said James Anderson, who retired from Test cricket last year.
France 24
5 days ago
- France 24
South Africa captain Bavuma hails special Test triumph
Bavuma and his team-mates were greeted by several thousand supporters when they landed in Johannesburg following a five-wicket win over Australia in the final at Lord's last weekend. The win gave South Africa their first International Cricket Council title since 1998. They have suffered many agonising near-misses in knockout games since. "It was quite overwhelming and I have not seen such a lot of people at the airport before," Bavuma said at Cricket South Africa headquarters, where they were given an official welcome. "It's quite different to when we came home from the last (Twenty20) World Cup. I guess we have not really realised what we have done until you see that emotion. "And to have done it in a proper South African way -- it was not simple nor easy -- shows something unique to this group and that is that we embrace everything of what it means to be South African. "From a team perspective, we would like to leave a legacy behind and start inspiring and encouraging other teams to go and win trophies. "Hopefully this is the start of a lot of trophies. We don't have a big legacy yet, but we can speak again in two or three years time when we have started a culture of winning trophies." The 35-year-old batsman has had to endure much criticism since making his Proteas debut in 2014 and said the way he and his team have overcome their challenges can be an example to those that follow. "It speaks to all budding cricketers or any individual in fact, that it is not simple and easy to fulfil your journey. "But when you start questioning things, as long as you keep your passion and keep positive, then you can achieve what people think is impossible. "As much as the Aussies were saying we were chokers in the field, we never made it our thing. We just said we've got to keep going and be relentless, and the harder we knock, the doors will open. "Chokers was not our tag to carry, we never spoke about it, although you always feel a responsibility when you wear the badge. "But for now we're going to enjoy this moment and seeing the joy of my family and my strong support system, there is nothing better."
France 24
6 days ago
- France 24
Record stand puts Bangladesh in command in first Sri Lanka Test
Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews (C) was given a farewell salute at the start of first Test netween Sri Lanka and Bangladesh -- the veteran's last red ball game After a wobbly start at Galle, the pair stitched together 247 runs –- the highest fourth-wicket stand for Bangladesh in Tests against Sri Lanka -– steering the tourists to a commanding position at stumps. Having elected to bat first, Bangladesh were reeling at 45-3 when the duo came together. What followed was a gritty rescue act -– a partnership built on sound temperament, clever shot selection and an unflinching resolve as they dug their team out of early trouble. Mushfiqur, the most capped Test player in Bangladesh history with 97 appearances, silenced his critics with a timely ton. The veteran, under the pump after a lean patch spanning 13 innings without a half-century, rolled back the years with a knock of poise and purpose. The 38-year-old has fond memories of Galle, having struck a monumental double hundred there in 2013, and once again turned tormentor-in-chief for the Sri Lankan bowlers. He did enjoy a slice of luck –- a tough chance spilled by debutant Tharindu Rathnayake on 25 –- but made it count, navigating a nervy passage in the 90s, before scampering a quick single to notch up his 12th Test hundred. Playing his third match in Galle, Rahim said he had "always done well" at the ground and it was "very pleasing to get another hundred here". "We know that Galle always spins but for some reason when we have played here, we have been lucky to bat when conditions were good," he said after the day's play. "This wicket will deteriorate that's for sure," Rahim added. "That is why it is important to post a big first innings total (and) once we do that we can put the opposition under pressure". His partner, Shanto, positive from the outset, kept the scoreboard ticking with deft footwork and a keen eye for the loose ball. He brought up his sixth Test century –- and second against Sri Lanka -– with a cheeky paddle sweep off Prabath Jayasuriya, marking his first ton since November 2023. -'Keep our discipline'- Sri Lanka made early inroads with right-arm quick Asitha Fernando drawing first blood, removing opener Anamul Haque for a duck. Off-spinner Rathnayake, handed his Test cap on the back of a prolific domestic season, struck twice in quick succession. But once the Shanto-Mushfiqur duo got their eye in, it was one-way traffic. "There was a bit of moisture on the wicket early on and we were able to create opportunities but once the wicket dried up it was a very good wicket to bat and the pitch became a bit slow as well," Rathnayake said after play. "This is not the usual Galle wicket that we get, I feel, it is quite hard and I think it will be good for batting even heading into day four. "We need to regroup tomorrow and the ball is quite new and we can make a few breakthroughs in the morning... we need to remain patient and keep our discipline and see what happens." Sri Lanka also handed a debut to opening batter Lahiru Udara, another domestic heavyweight, while the hosts paused before the start of play to congratulate retiring stalwart Angelo Mathews. The 38-year-old Mathews, playing his 119th and final Test, will hang up his boots with over 8,000 runs, behind only Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in Sri Lanka's all-time charts. Mathews speaking before the start, said he was "extremely proud to have a wonderful journey, thankful for whoever was part of it". "Feeling quite special. Realising that I have played over 100 Tests", he added. "Playing for the country was my dream, it has come true." The match is the first in the new two-year World Test Championship cycle. The second Test begins in Colombo on June 25. Brief scores: Bangladesh: 292-3 (Najmul Hossain Shanto 136 not out, Mushfiqur Rahim 105 not out) Toss: Bangladesh © 2025 AFP
