Veteran Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews has expressed his shock and disappointment over the Islanders’ Check schedule for 2025, which he describes as “completely surprising.” In a heartfelt submit on social media, Mathews slammed the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) for scheduling solely 4 Check matches for Sri Lanka in your complete 12 months 2025.
Having final performed in Sri Lanka’s Check tour of South Africa in December 2024, Angelo Mathews was shocked to study that solely two Exams can be performed earlier than mid-February towards Australia on residence soil.
Angelo Mathews shocked by Sri Lanka’s Check calendar
After that, the Sri Lankan cricket crew can be primarily targeted on limited-overs cricket, with 13 ODIs and 12 T20Is lined up earlier than November 2025. The Sri Lankan cricket crew’s participation within the longest format of the sport can be restricted to only 4 matches, wrapping up with two extra Exams towards Bangladesh at residence by June 2025.
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That is just the start of a lean interval for Sri Lankan Check cricket, with simply eight extra Check matches scheduled for 2026 and 2027 within the ICC World Check Championship cycle 2025-27. Notably, Sri Lanka is about to host Australia in a two-match Check sequence in January-February. The primary Check can be performed from January 29 in Galle.
Angelo Mathews slams ICC for restricted Check alternatives for Sri Lanka in 2025
Tagging the ICC in his submit on his social media deal with X, Angelo Mathews shared his views on the Sri Lankan crew’s Check schedule for this 12 months: “Completely surprising to listen to that Sri Lanka is barely taking part in 4 take a look at matches this whole 12 months, together with the Aus Exams this month.”
Completely surprising to listen to that srilanka is barely taking part in 4 take a look at matches this whole 12 months together with the aus checks this month @ICC .
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) January 6, 2025
The veteran cricketer Angelo Mathews’ outburst has sparked widespread concern about the way forward for Check cricket in Sri Lanka, as the main target appears to be shifted fully to limited-overs cricket.
Notably, the 37-year-old Mathews final performed for Sri Lanka in ODIs through the 2023 World Cup and in T20Is on the T20 World Cup final 12 months. Now, the senior all-rounder principally performs Check cricket and lately turned solely the third Sri Lankan batter to attain over 8000 runs within the conventional format of the sport.
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Huge Three India, England, and Australia push for main adjustments in WTC
Within the present 2023-25 World Check Championship (WTC) cycle, Sri Lanka has been scheduled for 13 Exams. Out of the 11 video games they’ve performed to this point, they’ve gained 5 and are ranked fifth within the standings. Solely Bangladesh (12 Exams) and South Africa (12 Exams) have performed fewer Exams, whereas England (22 Exams), Australia (19 Exams), and India (19 Exams) are main the chart.
Mathews’ feedback come on the identical day stories advised that India, England, and Australia, together with the ICC, are contemplating a two-tier Check system after the top of the subsequent WTC cycle. Notably, India and England are scheduled to play a complete of 10 Check matches every this 12 months, whereas Australia has seven Exams of their schedule this 12 months.
