Veteran Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews has announced his retirement from international Test cricket, bringing down the curtain on a remarkable 17-year journey in the red-ball format. The 37-year-old confirmed that the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh in June will be his final appearance in whites for Sri Lanka. Mathews made the announcement through an emotional message, thanking the cricketing fraternity and reflecting on his career that spanned more than a decade and a half. “With a grateful heart and unforgettable memories, it is time for me to say goodbye to the most cherished format of the game, International Test Cricket. The past 17 years of playing cricket for Sri Lanka has been my highest honour and pride,” Mathews wrote. Having debuted in 2009, Mathews played 118 Tests for Sri Lanka, scoring 8167 runs at an average of 44.62, including 16 centuries and 45 fifties. While his bowling took a backseat over the years, he still managed to pick up 33 wickets and contributed as a dependable lower-middle order batter. pic.twitter.com/nqsnpkpekD — Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) May 23, 2025 One of his most memorable performances came in Abu Dhabi in 2013, where he batted over seven hours for an unbeaten 157 to save a Test against Pakistan. In 2014, he enjoyed his most prolific year with the bat, amassing 1160 runs at an average of 77.33, including a match-winning 160 at Headingley that secured Sri Lanka’s first-ever Test series win in England. “I have given my everything to cricket, and cricket has given me everything in return,” he said, while also thanking his family, teammates, coaches, and fans. Watch: Did Gill Ignore Pant? Post-Match Clip Sparks Debate Angelo Mathews will continue playing ODIs and T20Is Though he’s retiring from Tests, Mathews has clarified that he will remain available for Sri Lanka’s white-ball sides if required. He expressed confidence in the next generation of Test players, stating that it was the right time to step aside and let a younger player take his spot. Also READ: IPL 2025: What GT Needs for Top 2 Finish After Losing Against LSG Despite numerous injuries in the second half of his career, Mathews achieved significant milestones, including completing 100 Tests in 2022 and becoming one of the rare batters to be dismissed for 199 in a Test innings. His resilience was on display during the 2018 Wellington Test, where he dropped to the ground after reaching his hundred and performed push-ups in response to criticism over his fitness.