Angelo Mathews possesses a strong batting technique, consistent bowling skills, fielding athleticism, and an unwavering temperament, making him a highly valuable asset for Sri Lanka. However, his journey to reaching his full potential has been hindered by persistent injuries and disagreements with the Sri Lankan cricket board.

Mathews’ contributions as an all-rounder in limited-overs cricket have been crucial. His absence due to a quad injury during the 2011 World Cup semi-final necessitated three changes in the final lineup, as the team relied heavily on his ability to maintain balance.

Initially, Mathews aimed to establish himself as a genuine all-rounder but later focused primarily on his batting, specializing in the Test format and providing stability to the lower-middle order. In a Test match against Pakistan in December 2013, he showcased his determination by batting for over seven and a half hours, scoring an unbeaten 157 runs (in addition to his 91 in the first innings) and saving the match in Abu Dhabi.

The year 2014 proved to be exceptional for Mathews. He amassed 1160 Test runs at an impressive average of 77.33. His most memorable moment came at Headingley, where his magnificent 160 transformed the match, resulting in Sri Lanka’s first Test series victory in England (excluding the one-off Test in 1998). Earlier in the year, he played a vital role in Sri Lanka’s triumph in the T20 World Cup, contributing 40 runs off 23 balls in the semi-final against West Indies and conceding only 25 runs while taking a wicket in the final against India.

Mathews assumed the captaincy in 2013 and led Sri Lanka to a series win in England. However, following a disappointing ODI series loss to Zimbabwe at home in 2017 and an early exit from the Asia Cup in 2018, he faced exclusion from the one-day team due to concerns about his running between the wickets.

During the Wellington Test in December 2018, Mathews showcased his resilience by batting for over seven hours to save the match. After reaching his century, he dropped to the pitch, did ten push-ups, and flexed his biceps to express his frustration at being labeled unfit for cricket. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring tear in the subsequent Test, sidelining him for four months. Adding to the drama, Mathews took a wicket with his first ball in the 2019 World Cup, despite not having bowled in eight months prior to that moment.

Despite the numerous injuries in the latter part of his career, Mathews achieved the milestone of playing 100 Tests in 2022. Notably, he became the 12th player in Test history to be dismissed for 199 runs.

In summary, Angelo Mathews’ cricketing journey has been defined by his exceptional skills as a batsman, bowler, and fielder. Due to his such exceptional performances, he is selected as a B-Love Kandy team player. LPLT20 will take place on 31st July and we are excited how our star player is going win the ground.