Angelo Mathews joined superstars Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in the elite list of Sri Lankan cricketers on Friday (December 6).
This super all-rounder became the third batsman from the island to score 8000 runs in Test cricket.
The 37-year-old right-handed batsman made his red-ball debut for Sri Lanka in July 2009 against Pakistan in Galle. He has scored 8006 runs in 205 innings in 116 Test matches played so far.
Mathews crossed the 8000-run mark on the second day of the 2nd Test between Sri Lanka and South Africa at St George’s Park, Gqeberha. Mathews, who scored 40 runs in 71 balls and finished the match on the second day, completed 8000 Test runs when he crossed the 34-run mark.
Sangakkara holds the record for scoring the highest number of runs in Test cricket for Sri Lanka. In his 15-year-long career, the former left-hander scored 12,400 runs in 134 matches. Jayawardene ended his Test career with 11,814 runs in 149 Test matches.
Most runs for Sri Lanka in Test matches
Kumar Sangakkara – 12,400
Mahela Jayawardene – 11,814
Angelo Mathews – 8006*
Dimuth Karunaratne – 7164
Sanath Jayasuriya – 6973
Most Test Scores (Active Batsmen)
Joe Root (England) – 12,780
Steve Smith (Australia) – 9702
Virat Kohli (India) – 9152
Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 9072
Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) – 8006
Among active batsmen, only Joe Root (12,780), Steve Smith (9,702), Virat Kohli (9,152) and Kane Williamson (9,072) have scored more Test cricket runs than Mathews.
Mathews, who stayed at the stadium in Gqeberha on Friday, hit six fours for Sri Lanka and added an unbeaten 30 off 38 balls for the fourth wicket with Kamindu Mendis, adding 43 off 70 balls so far.
In reply to South Africa’s first innings total of 358, Sri Lanka ended the second day with 242 for the loss of 3 wickets in 67 overs.
The islanders must win the ongoing second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka to finish in the top two spots in the ongoing WTC 2023-25 cycle and keep alive their hopes of booking a place in the World Test. Championship. (WTC) 2025 final to be held at Lord’s.
After the series against the Proteas, Sri Lanka will face Australia in a two-match Test series in January next year.
