Latest news with #Mathews
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Record Stand Puts Bangladesh In Command In First Sri Lanka Test
A record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership between captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim put Bangladesh in control at 292/3 on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Angelo Mathews receives moving tribute from teammates as Sri Lanka great takes field in farewell Test vs Bangladesh
Sixteen years after making his Test debut at the Galle International Stadium, Angelo Mathews returned to the same venue for his final appearance in the whites, closing the chapter on a red-ball career that has shaped Sri Lankan cricket for over a decade. The 38-year-old all-rounder and one of Sri Lanka's most accomplished Test batters in the current lineup, Mathews, announced his retirement from the format ahead of the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh, prompting a heartfelt farewell from teammates and fans alike. As players took the field on Day 1, Mathews was honoured with a guard of honour by his teammates, a gesture that captured the immense respect he commands within the Sri Lankan dressing room. Mathews, who has played 118 Tests heading into this match, finishes as Sri Lanka's third-highest run-getter in the format, behind only the legendary Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. His tally of 8167 runs has come at an impressive average of 44.62, including 16 centuries and 45 scores of fifty or more; numbers that speak volumes of his consistency and longevity. He is also among the only seven Sri Lankan players to have represented the country in over 100 Tests (others being Jayawardene, Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Dimuth Karunaratne). Beyond the runs, it's the moments that define Mathews' Test legacy. He was at the heart of one of Sri Lanka's greatest overseas triumphs, the 2014 Test series win in England. His ability to absorb pressure and play long innings in challenging conditions often made him one of the most important batters in Sri Lanka's middle order. His retirement comes as Sri Lanka begin their campaign in the new World Test Championship cycle, with Dhananjaya de Silva leading the side in pursuit of early points on home soil. The Test also marked the beginning of the WTC cycle itself, with the previous editing finishing last week, as South Africa lifted the title for the first time. Temba Bavuma's men defeated Australia to win their first ICC trophy in 27 years. Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, are hoping to spoil the farewell script with a strong showing of their own. But regardless of the result, the narrative at Galle will revolve around one of Sri Lanka's finest taking his final bow.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Rohit Sharma congratulates Angelo Mathews ahead of farewell Test: ‘Had some great battles since our U19 days'
Sri Lanka veteran Angelo Mathews is playing his final Test match and former India captain Rohit Sharma sent him a heartfelt message before that. Mathews posted a video on his Instagram stories in which Rohit can be seen congratulating him 0n his career. He is calling time on a career, that has spanned 118 Test matches, in Galle, which is also where he had made his debut in the format and played his 100th Test as well. 'Hey Angie, congratulations on your fantastic career,' said Rohit, who had announced his own Test retirement on May 7. 'Over the years we had some pretty good battles from our under-19 days to now. You've been a true servant for your nation and I'm pretty sure everyone back at home appreciates what you've done for your country,' Rohit said. Mathews admitted that part of the reason why he decided to play only the first of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh was because of the lack of long-form cricket for Sri Lanka this year. Sri Lanka will be playing just four Tests in 2025 – their lowest number of Tests in a calendar year since 2013 outside of the Covid-curtailed 2020. Mathews said that the younger players are urging for more Test matches. 'I think it's quite sad to be honest,' he said before the match. 'I mean, the younger generation are urging for more Test cricket. Test cricket is obviously the pinnacle of cricket. We all should push for more Tests. These guys are so enthusiastic about Test cricket. 'I feel there has to be a minimum of 10 matches at least [in a year]. Teams like England, India or Australia are playing 15-plus games a year. Why can't we play? We can. If we keep pushing, I mean, we have to. We have won World Cups. We have done so much for cricket as a nation, and we deserve to play Test cricket, just like Australia, India and England,' he said.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Bangladesh win toss, bat in first Sri Lanka Test
GALLE: Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and chose to bat in the first Test in Galle on Tuesday, the final outing for Sri Lanka stalwart Angelo Mathews. Mathews, who made his debut in 2009 on the famous pitch perched beneath the fortress in Galle, is retiring after 118 Tests. Sri Lanka Cricket made a presentation to Mathews before the start. 'I am extremely proud to have a wonderful journey, thankful for whoever was part of it,' said Mathews, who was joined by his family on the ground for the ceremony. 'Feeling quite special. Realising that I have played over 100 Tests. Playing for the country was my dream, it has come true.' Sri Lanka handed debut Test caps to top-order batsman Lahiru Udara and ambidextrous bowler Tharindu Ratnayake. Udara has been a prolific run scorer in domestic cricket while Ratnayake can bowl both right- and left-arm orthodox spin. Bangladesh suffered a blow ahead of the game when all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz was ruled out with fever. He was outstanding in Bangladesh's innings win over Zimbabwe in their last Test, taking five wickets and scoring a hundred. The match is the first in the new two-year World Test Championship cycle. The second Test begins in Colombo on June 25. Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Tharindu Ratnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando Umpires: Alex Wharf (ENG), Rod Tucker (AUS) TV umpire: Allahuddien Paleker (RSA) Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Rohit Sharma turns nostalgic in stirring video post for Angelo Mathews before farewell Test: 'Had pretty good battles'
Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews is all set to draw curtains on his Test career, and ahead of his final appearance, which will be in the opening game of the two-match series against Bangladesh at home, India legend Rohit Sharma sent a stirring video message for his old rival. In his first social media post since announcing his very own Test retirement, Rohit turned nostalgic as he recalled his "pretty good battles" with Mathews before wishing him all the luck. "Hey Angie, congratulations on your fantastic career. Over the years we had some pretty good battles from our under-19 days to now. You've been a true servant for your nation and I'm pretty sure everyone back at home appreciates what you've done for your country," Rohit said. Bangladesh won the toss on Tuesday, in the opening game in Galle, and opted to bat first against Sri Lanka. Mathews, who is set to retire as Sri Lanka's third-highest scorer in Test cricket, and is into his 119th appearance in the format, was given a guard of honour by his teammates. It was all the more special for the all-rounder because it was at the very same venue where his Test journey had begun 16 years back. "It's a coincidence. I had my debut in Galle. I played my 100th Test in Galle. And I'm going to say goodbye in Galle," Mathews told reporters on Monday. "The main reason is that we don't have many games coming up. After this, our next Test assignment is a year away. That's a very long time. "I thought it's best to give an opportunity to the one replacing me in the second Test match because he's not going to get another chance till next year. And in a year, you never know what could happen. So I thought I'll play one game and then step aside to let the other guy have his opportunity." Mathews also revealed that he sees the 2026 T20 World Cup as his swansong and has already conveyed this to the selectors. "There are six more months until the next T20 World Cup, and I'll give it a try depending on what my body tells me," he said. "I hope to retire from white-ball cricket at that World Cup. If we can win another World Cup, I'll try to contribute toward that. So I'll do everything I can to improve my fitness and skills over the next six months."
