Mathews Feels Disappointed About Lack of Tests for SL in 2025
As Angelo Mathews prepares to bid farewell to Test cricket this week, the former Sri Lankan captain has expressed his disappointment over the lack of Test matches scheduled for his country in 2025. In an exclusive interview with Sportstiger, Mathews lamented the fact that Sri Lanka will only be playing four Test matches next year, their lowest in over a decade.
“It’s quite sad to be honest,” Mathews said. “As a player, you want to play as much cricket as possible, especially in the format you love. But it seems like the scheduling has become quite limited for Sri Lanka. I understand that it’s not easy to organize Test matches, but it’s disheartening to see that we’re not getting the opportunity to play as many games as we’d like.”
Mathews’ concerns are not unfounded. A quick glance at the international cricket calendar reveals that Test matches are heavily concentrated in India, England, and Australia. The three countries have traditionally been the most successful and popular Test-playing nations, and as a result, they tend to dominate the scheduling.
However, this has left other teams, like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the West Indies, struggling to get a fair share of Test matches. The situation is particularly bleak for Sri Lanka, who will only be playing four Test matches in 2025. This is their lowest number of Test matches in over ten years, and it’s a far cry from the 14 Test matches they played in 2013.
Mathews believes that the lack of Test matches is not only a disappointment for players but also detrimental to the growth of the game in Sri Lanka. “When you don’t play enough Test matches, it’s hard to maintain a strong team and a strong squad,” he said. “The players need to get exposure to Test cricket, and the more you play, the better you become. It’s not just about winning or losing; it’s about developing your skills and becoming a better player.”
Mathews also feels that the lack of Test matches is a reflection of the poor state of cricket administration in Sri Lanka. “I think there needs to be a more proactive approach to scheduling Test matches,” he said. “The administrators need to work harder to get more games for Sri Lanka. It’s not just about playing friendlies; it’s about playing competitive cricket and giving the fans something to look forward to.”
The issue of Test match scheduling is not unique to Sri Lanka. Many players and fans around the world have been expressing concerns over the lack of Test cricket in recent years. The rise of T20 cricket has led to a shift in focus towards shorter formats, and as a result, Test matches have become less popular and less lucrative.
However, Mathews believes that Test cricket is still the pinnacle of the game, and it’s essential to preserve its integrity and importance. “Test cricket is the format that separates the men from the boys,” he said. “It’s the format that requires skill, patience, and endurance. It’s the format that brings out the best in players, and it’s the format that fans love the most.”
As Mathews prepares to hang up his Test boots, he hopes that the next generation of Sri Lankan players will be given the opportunity to play more Test matches. “I hope that the administration will take note of our concerns and work towards getting more Test matches for Sri Lanka,” he said. “We need to give our players the chance to develop and improve, and the only way to do that is by playing more Test cricket.”
In conclusion, Angelo Mathews’ disappointment over the lack of Test matches for Sri Lanka in 2025 is a reflection of the broader issue facing international cricket. The scheduling of Test matches needs to be re-examined, and administrators need to work harder to ensure that all teams, not just the traditional powers, get a fair share of Test cricket. As Mathews himself said, “it’s quite sad to be honest,” and it’s time for the cricket community to come together and find a solution to this problem.
