Angelo Mathews becomes 3rd Sri Lankan batter to score 8,000 Test runs

Angelo Mathews joined legendary Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in an elite list of Sri Lankan cricketers on Friday (December 6).

The star all-rounder became the third batter from the island nation to score 8000 runs in Test cricket. 

The 37-year-old right-handed batter who made his red-ball debut for the Sri Lankan team in July 2009 against Pakistan during a match played in Galle has 8006 runs to his name in 205 innings of 116 Tests played so far.

Mathews crossed the 8000-run mark 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, who finished the second day’s play at the score of 40 runs from 71 balls, completed 8000 Test runs when he crossed the 34-run mark.

Sangakkara holds the record for scoring the most runs for Sri Lanka in Test cricket. During his 15-year-long career, the former left-handed batter scored 12,400 runs in 134 matches. He is followed by Jayawardene, who finished his Test 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

Among active batters, only Joe Root (12,780), Steve Smith (9,702), Virat Kohli (9,152), and Kane Williamson (9,072) have scored more runs than Mathews in Test cricket.

During his stay at the crease in Gqeberha on Friday, Mathews hammered six fours for Sri Lanka and has added 43 runs from 70 balls so far for the fourth wicket with Kamindu Mendis, who is unbeaten at 30 runs from 38 balls.

In reply to South Africa’s first innings total of 358 runs, Sri Lanka finished Day 2’s play at 242 runs for the loss of three wickets in 67 overs. 

The ongoing second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka is a must-win match for the Islanders if they want to keep their hopes alive of finishing in the top two of the ongoing WTC 2023-25 cycle and book a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final, which is scheduled to take place at Lord’s.

After the conclusion of the ongoing series against the Proteas, Sri Lanka will face Australia in a two-match Test series at home in January next year.

Source: News 18

--Agencies