On Friday, Angelo Mathews was inducted into an elite Sri Lankan cricketer list headed by legendary Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. The star all-rounder became the third batter from the island nation to score 8000 runs in Test cricket. Now 37 years old, this right-handed batter made his debut in this format for Sri Lanka in July 2009 against Pakistan during a match played in Galle and has managed 8006 runs in 205 innings out of 116 Tests played till now.
Mathews reached the 8000-run milestone during the second day’s play of the ongoing 2nd Test between Sri Lanka and South Africa at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. Mathews finished the second day at 40 runs off 71 balls before he crossed 34 runs for the 8000 Test runs.
Sangakkara scored the highest runs for Sri Lankans in Test cricket. During his 15-year-long career, he made 12,400 runs in 134 games. Next to him is Jayawardene, who closed his career with 11,814 runs in 149 Tests.
Most runs for Sri Lanka in Tests
Kumar Sangakkara – 12,400
Mahela Jayawardene – 11,814
Angelo Mathews – 8006*
Dimuth Karunaratne – 7164
Sanath Jayasuriya – 6973
Most Test runs (active batters)
Joe Root (England) – 12,780
Steve Smith (Australia) – 9702
Virat Kohli (India) – 9152
Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 9072
Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) – 8006
Only Joe Root (12,780), Steve Smith (9,702), Virat Kohli (9,152), and Kane Williamson (9,072) have scored more runs in Test than Matthews among the current active batters.
Mathews hammered six fours for Sri Lanka during his stay at the crease and has added 43 runs from 70 balls for the fourth wicket with Kamindu Mendis, who is unbeaten on 30 runs from 38 balls.
In reply to South Africa’s first innings total of 358 runs, Sri Lanka ended Day 2’s play at 242 runs with three wickets down in 67 overs. The ongoing second Test match is vital for the Islanders if they want to stay alive in the race to be among the top two at the end of the ongoing WTC 2023-25 cycle and earn a place in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025, which is slated to take place at Lord’s.
After the ongoing tour to Proteas, Sri Lanka has scheduled a two-Test series with Australia at home in January next year.
