'Only 4 Tests?': Angelo Mathews Slams ICC For Sri Lanka's Empty Test Calendar

Angelo Mathews slammed ICC for Sri Lanka's Test scheduling [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @Angelo69Mathews/x.com]

Angelo Mathews isn’t holding back anymore. The Sri Lankan all-rounder, who’s carried his team through thick and thin, has called out the ICC for what he says is a shocking disregard for Test cricket in his country.

Angelo Mathews Blasts ICC Over Sri Lanka’s Test Cricket Snub

Taking to Twitter, Angelo Mathews dropped a truth bomb about Sri Lanka’s Test schedule, and fans couldn’t agree more.

 "Absolutely shocking to hear that Sri Lanka is only playing 4 test matches this entire year, including the Aus tests this month. @ICC," Mathews tweeted.

The frustration was loud and clear. Four Tests in a whole year? That’s not just a bad schedule, it’s an insult to a team that has a rich Test cricket history.

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Sri Lanka’s Test Calendar Looks Empty

Here’s how bad it is: Sri Lanka starts 2025 with two Tests against Australia in January. Then, it’s a five-month gap until June, when they host Bangladesh for two more Tests. After that, it’s lights out for the year. Four matches, and that’s it.

The future doesn’t look much better. In 2026, Sri Lanka is scheduled to play six Tests—two each against West Indies, India, and Pakistan. Compare this with England, who’ve already locked in 22 Tests for the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, and it’s clear who’s getting the short end of the stick.

Big 3 Run the Show

Mathews’ outburst comes as cricket’s Big 3: India, Australia, and England are reportedly considering a two-tier Test system. For countries like Sri Lanka, this could be the final nail in the coffin for red-ball cricket. The gap between cricket’s superpowers and everyone else is only getting wider, and Sri Lanka seems to be falling further behind.

Right now, Sri Lanka is fifth in the WTC standings with five wins from 11 Tests. But they’ve been given only 13 matches in this cycle. England? They’ve played almost double that. The imbalance is glaring.

Mathews’ Personal Goals Take A Hit

At 37, Mathews knows his time in cricket is limited. With 8,042 Test runs, he’s one of Sri Lanka’s all-time greats. But his dream of joining the 10,000-run club is slipping away. He needs another 1,958 runs, but how’s he supposed to get there when his team barely plays any Tests?.

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