Sports

Mathews carried the bat through Sri Lanka’s transition

Published

8 months ago

2025/05/25

Angelo Mathews

When Angelo Mathews burst onto the scene, it felt like Sri Lanka had found their very own Jacques Kallis in the making – a brisk seamer who could bend his back with the ball and a batsman who brought both silk and steel to the crease. He had the technique to weather any storm and the temperament to anchor innings under pressure. But as the years ticked by, it became clear he wouldn’t quite climb into Kallis’ league. Still, Mathews hung up his boots as Sri Lanka’s third-highest run-getter in Test history, only behind the twin towers – Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

From early on, the script had greatness penciled in. Mathews turned heads at two Under-19 World Cups and led the second on home soil. The big league beckoned soon after and he found himself rubbing shoulders with a dressing room full of heavyweights. But fate, as fickle as a worn pitch on Day Five, had other plans – his body often gave out just when his career seemed ready to take flight.

With legends exiting stage left within the span of 18 months, the baton fell to Mathews far sooner than expected. It wasn’t easy carrying the load on his shoulders – he was often a one-man army trying to plug holes in a sinking ship. But while other sides crumbled post-transition, Sri Lanka stayed afloat, thanks in no small part to Mathews’ resolve.

His finest hour came at Headingley in 2014 – a cricketing cauldron where reputations are made or broken. With the tail for company, Mathews batted like a man possessed, eking out every run to set up Sri Lanka’s maiden series win on English soil. Earlier in the series, he’d scored a century at Lord’s – his very first outing at the Home of Cricket. Talk about a debut to remember.

Leadership too came calling early. At 25 years and 279 days, Mathews became Test captain – eclipsing none other than Aravinda de Silva in the record books as the nation’s youngest Test captain. Big boots? He didn’t buckle under the pressure. The highlight of his captaincy came in 2016, when Sri Lanka steamrolled a full-strength Australia 3–0. Steve Smith’s men were run ragged as Mathews marshaled his troops like a seasoned general.

And then, just as momentum gathered, he stepped down. Cricket politics had started to creep in like uninvited guests and the toll was showing.

In recent months, the writing was on the wall. With Sri Lanka losing four consecutive Tests to WTC finalists Australia and South Africa, and with Mathews’ own returns dwindling, Father Time was knocking on the door. The final straw? Only four Tests scheduled for the year. For a man who held the red-ball game sacred, that was as good as being asked to pad up for a rain-curtailed net session.

He’s expressed willingness to continue in white-ball formats, but the selectors may have already turned the page. Even so, his impact can’t be overstated. When the stars had dimmed and hope flickered, Mathews stood tall – leading from the front and holding things together with grit, grace, and gumption.

Now, fittingly, he returns to Galle – where his journey began in 2009 – for his swansong. Cricket’s circle of life, poetic and poignant. The curtain falls, the crowd rises and Mathews walks back into the pavilion of memories – one of Sri Lanka’s finest, flawed perhaps, but never found wanting in heart.

“It’s been an amazing run representing my country for the last 17 years. As a kid, all what I wanted was to play in just one Test match and to do it for over 100 Tests is a blessing indeed,” Mathews told Telecom Asia Sport.

“Very proud about what I have accomplished and as a team we had some great memories. Always grateful for people who stood by me throughout my career. It has been an amazing run, but I feel now is the time to go and give a young player an opportunity,” he added.

(Telecom Asia Sport)

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Sports

Nestomalt run for Sri Lanka on Sunday

Published

11 hours ago

2026/01/30

Thilina Walpola

Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka Marathon 2026, organised by SingleTree Events, will be held in the city of Galle on 1 February 2026, from 6.00 a.m. onwards, bringing together runners, families, and communities for a morning fuelled by purpose and energy.

‎Designed to be inclusive and high-spirited, the Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka Marathon 2026 features four running categories catering to all ages and fitness levels – from seasoned athletes to families running together. The categories include: 21.1 km – Elite Run, 10 km – Challengers Run, 5 km – Fun Run, 2 km – Family Run.

‎More than just a race, the Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka Marathon carries a powerful cause at its heart, with all proceeds directed to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, reinforcing the collective spirit of giving back and thriving together as a nation.

‎True to its legacy, Nestomalt continues to champion active lifestyles, encouraging Sri Lankans to push boundaries and take on life with Power, Strength, and Energy. By supporting initiatives like the Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka Marathon, the brand reaffirms its commitment to uplifting communities while inspiring healthier, more active living. With energy in every step and purpose in every run, Nestomalt is set to help power a memorable start to Run for Sri Lanka Marathon 2026.

‎Guided by its purpose of ‘unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come’, Nestlé Lanka has been enriching Sri Lankan lives for 120 years, nourishing generations with tasty, and nutritious products across the country.

Sports

Kumarasiri shines as Sri Sumangala earn first innings points against Ananda

Published

11 hours ago

2026/01/30

Thilina Walpola

Left-arm spinner Mevindu Kumarasiri came up with another impressive bowling performance, taking seven wickets as Sri Sumangala College Panadura took first innings points against Ananda College in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ cricket encounter at Ananda Mawatha on Thursday.

‎In the Tier A matche concluded on Thursday, Mahanama and Prince of Wales took first innings wins.

‎Results

‎Tier B

‎Sri Sumangala take first innings points at Ananda Mawatha

‎Scores

‎Sri Sumangala 272 all out in 71 overs (Pansilu Silva 35, Neksha Iddamalgoda 86, Bihanga Silva 30, Umantha Akash 21, Sadika Damyuru 24, Dinusha Dulanjana 23; Chamathka Irusha 2/35, Himira Kudagama 4/34) and 139 all out in 51.1 overs (Neksha Iddamalgoda 38; Himira Kudagama 6/54)

‎Ananda 208 all out in 66 overs (Danindu Sellapperuma 75, Himira Kudagama 26, Kithma Vidanapathirana 29, Lithma Perera 29, Rashan Dilaksha 21; Mevindu Kumarasiri 7/69, Bihanga Silva 2/32) and 17 for no loss in 4 overs

‎Tier A

‎Cambrians on first innings win against Maris Stella at Kadirana

‎Scores

‎Prince of Wales 310 all out in 76.3 overs (Suwas Fernando 84, Pramesh Fernando 88, Oshan de Silva 49; Hashmika Nethshan 6/24) and 167 for 5 in 37 overs (Oshan de Silva 40, Pramesh Fernando 75, Pasan Cooray 31; Savindu Sathsara 3/29)

‎Maris Stella

257 all out in 72.3 overs (Hansaka Perera 20, Kavith de Silva 91, Hashmika Nethshan 36; Nethul Anuhas 4/72, Oshan de Silva 3/20)

‎Mahanama post 342 for nine at Uyanwatta

‎‎Scores

‎St. Servatius’ 237 all out in 71.1 overs (Risinu Kithmuka 64, Thathsilu Bandara 92; Geeth Sandaruwan 2/41, Sithum Vihanga 4/57) and and 126 for 7 decl. in 41 overs (Tharul Weerarathne 57n.o., Binal Nethmaka 24; Geeth Sandaruwan 3/24, Kaushika Thilakarathne 2/09, Thenuja Rashmin 2/28)

‎Mahanama 116 for 1 overnight 342 for 9 decl. in 73 overs (Sineth Veerarathne 75, Kaushika Thilakarathne 35, Venura Kaveethra 27, Sanul Weerarathne 34, Sithuma Vihanga 24, Gimantha Dissanayake 71, Thaviru Perera 38; Samiru Gimhan 3/52, Praveen Madushanka 3/84, Lasindu Ramanayake 2/122) (RF)

Sports

Sri Lanka draft in KJP for England T20Is

Published

11 hours ago

2026/01/30

Thilina Walpola

Kusal Janith Perera has returned to the T20 side.

Sanity has finally prevailed as Kusal Janith Perera has been drafted into Sri Lanka’s T20 squad for the series against England at Pallekele, a move that strongly suggests the prolific left-hander remains firmly in the World Cup frame. Eyebrows had been raised when selectors earlier signalled that KJP was not part of their World Cup plans, but with time running out and options thinning, they have been forced into a late U-turn. The first T20I gets underway today.

Pavan Rathnayake has also been rewarded with a call-up following his maiden international hundred in the final ODI against England, but Kamindu Mendis, groomed for months as a key cog in Sri Lanka’s World Cup plans, has been left out in the cold. With selections changing course at the eleventh hour, much of the long-term planning ahead of a home World Cup appears to have gone for a toss.

Despite the recent selection jitters, Sri Lanka have made notable strides in white-ball cricket over the last two years, underlined by series wins over heavyweight opponents such as India and Australia. With a bit of patience and perseverance, the team has shown signs of rediscovering the glory days when they were trendsetters of the game, from pinch-hitting at the top to wide yorkers at the death and mystery spinners running through line-ups.

Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera, rested during the ODI series, has been recalled for the T20Is and is expected to be a key weapon at the World Cup. Blessed with extra pace and the ability to hit the deck hard, Chameera brings both venom and accuracy, a rare combination in the shortest format. While Sri Lanka boast several pace options, Chameera remains the strike bowler capable of rattling batters and breaking partnerships.

Star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who was rested for the first two ODIs, returned for the series decider but struggled towards the back end of the contest. Captain Dasun Shanaka attributed his struggles to cramps, playing down concerns ahead of the T20 campaign.

While Colombo served up sweltering heat and humidity during the ODIs, conditions in the hill capital are expected to be far more forgiving. Pallekele is set for full houses across the three-match series, adding to the carnival atmosphere.

England, ranked third in the world, arrive as leading contenders for the World Cup semi-finals. They are unbeaten in their last seven bilateral series, winning five and drawing two and will see the Sri Lanka tour as a crucial tune-up.

Pallekele will host seven matches of the T20 World Cup, including the high-profile clash between Sri Lanka and Australia scheduled for February 16.

Rex Clementine ✍️
at Pallekele