Sri Lanka’s renowned all-rounder, Angelo Mathews, has voiced serious worries about the decreasing number of Test matches available, calling on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take swift action to fix the issues with the international cricket schedule. This plea comes as Sri Lanka faces a significant drop in its Test match commitments, with only four scheduled for 2025 and six for 2026.
Mathews expressed his shock on Twitter, stating, “Absolutely shocking to hear that Sri Lanka is only playing 4 Test matches this entire year, including the Australia Tests this month.”
In a recent interview with a local newspaper, Mathews, who has been a vital player for Sri Lanka, highlighted his disappointment over the shift in focus from Test cricket to shorter formats. He pointed out, “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 the ICC and the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will take this seriously and create a fairer schedule.”
### Sri Lanka’s 2025 Test Matches
Sri Lanka’s Test schedule for 2025 looks bleak. The year will begin with a two-match series against Australia, which is crucial for their World Test Championship (WTC) hopes. However, a long five-month gap will follow before they face Bangladesh. In 2026, they will play only six Tests spread across two series against the West Indies, India, and Pakistan.
At 37 years old, Mathews is nearing the end of his playing days, and the limited number of Tests creates uncertainty over his chances of reaching the significant milestone of 10,000 Test runs. Currently, he has 8,042 runs in 116 matches, needing another 1,958 runs to join the exclusive club. He remarked, “It’s very disappointing,” emphasizing that regular matches are crucial for maintaining skills and fitness.
Former Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne also finds himself in a tough position. The 36-year-old opener has accumulated 7,165 runs in 98 Tests and shares Mathews’ aspiration of reaching the 10,000-run mark. However, he too is worried about his future in Test cricket, saying, “I haven’t given up hope of getting there, but it all depends on my form and fitness. This lack of Test matches isn’t helping me.”
The issue of insufficient Test matches impacts not only seasoned players but also young talents. Without regular exposure to Test cricket, emerging players miss out on vital experiences that help build endurance, strategy, and mental strength.
Despite these challenges, Mathews remains hopeful about Sri Lanka’s chances in the WTC. He believes that winning their upcoming series against Australia could lead them to their first WTC final, assuming other results go their way. “We’re determined to give it our all against the Aussies,” he stated.
This situation serves as a wake-up call for the ICC to intervene and protect the future of Test cricket, ensuring that all nations have fair opportunities to play this traditional format and keep its legacy alive.
