Mathews Breaks Kohli and Boycott's Records During Remarkable Farewell Test at Galle
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Angelo Mathews, a Sri Lankan cricketing legend and one of the island nation's top three run-scorers, took a triumphant final bow from Test cricket in an unforgettable spectacle at the Galle International Stadium. Known for his stoic resilience and steadfast performances, Mathews claimed two record-breaking milestones to punctuate his prestigious career.
A Heartfelt Guard of Honor
Upon making his entrance for one last time in the whites, Mathews was greeted with a sentimental guard of honor by both Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi players. This emotional gesture celebrated a cricketer who has seamlessly upheld the backbone of Sri Lanka's team for close to two decades.
Shattering Kohli's Mark
During the initial overs of the match, Mathews effortlessly surpassed Virat Kohli's record for the most Test runs scored at home. Kohli, India's premier batsman, had owned the record with 4,336 runs. However, Mathews outclassed his Indian rival with one more masterful knock in Galle, reaching 4,362 runs.
Toppling Geoff Boycott
Moreover, Mathews overtook the legendary English batter, Geoff Boycott, in terms of most Test runs scored on home soil. Boycott, a notorious defensive titan, had held the esteemed position among top home performers for years. But Mathews has now secured his place amongst the elite, surpassing Boycott's feat.
A Devoted Soldier of Sri Lankan Cricket
Mathews made his Test debut in 2009 and quickly established himself as one of Sri Lanka's most dependable players. He led the team in challenging overseas conditions, spearheaded the transition following the retirement of legends like Sangakkara and Jayawardene, and consistently demonstrated both bat and ball.
On Day 4 of the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Test in Galle, Sri Lanka showed incredible determination and resilience after Bangladesh tallied an impressive 495 in their first innings. Pathum Nissanka (187) and Kamindu Mendis (83) led the charge as Sri Lanka charged towards the visitors' total, ending the day on 465/8, a mere 30 runs shy of Bangladesh's score. Despite early wickets in the morning, a solid lower-order alliance helped lessen the deficit, proving a compelling contest heading into Day 5. The match hangs in the balance, with an emotional farewell for Mathews as he played out his last Test.
Additional Insights:
Angelo Mathews will be remembered as one of Sri Lanka's most accomplished Test cricketers. With 8,167 runs in 118 Tests at an average of 44.62, he stands behind only the legendary Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in the Sri Lankan run tally. Mathews has smashed 16 centuries and 45 fifties, demonstrating his reliability, not only at home but also outside Sri Lanka (around 47% of his runs). His aggressive batting style, including 79 sixes in Tests, ranks him eighth on the all-time list for most sixes in this format[2][3][4][5].
Despite being surpassed in global consistency and total runs by Virat Kohli, Mathews continues to carry significance for his balanced blend of dependability, adaptability, and explosiveness, both as a batsman and an all-rounder. Compared to Geoff Boycott, Mathews exhibits a far more dynamic and aggressive batting style, with differing team roles and approaches. Albeit celebrated for his defensive prowess and concentration at the crease, Boycott amassed over 8,000 Test runs with an average slightly higher than Mathews[2][3][4][5].
In the heart of the emotional farewell for Angelo Mathews, he demonstrated his prowess in cricket yet again by shattering Virat Kohli's record for the most Test runs scored at home, surpassing Kohli's record of 4,336 runs.
Furthermore, Mathews usurped the legendary English batter, Geoff Boycott, in terms of most Test runs scored on home soil, securing his place amongst the elite and outclassing Boycott's long-held position.
