Angelo Mathews, a name that evokes grit, versatility, and leadership single handedly, has been a constant presence with Sri Lankan Cricket team for almost a decade. Considering his capabilities as a middle-order batsman and a decent bowler, Mathews has been a boon to Sri Lankan cricket not only for his technical acumen but also for his ability to hold nerves down to the wire and coming up with performances when the chips are down. He has written his name in history throughout the years with unforgettable innings and incredible feats in the field and inspiring captaincy.
A Progression of Steady Bumps in International Cricket
Angelo Mathews (Born 2 June 1987 in Colombo) was the only son of a family that loved sports. He was originally known at school for his footballing talent, though this was quickly eclipsed by his natural cricketing ability. Having made his international debut for Sri Lanka in 2008, it wasn’t long before the cricket world started hearing about Mathews. With bat and ball, Mathews offered a rare and bizarre mix of abilities and was definitely one of the most complete cricketers there was in his time.
Mathews’ adaptability has been one of his great gifts as a batsman. He is capable of holding an innings together as well as counter attacking when required. His cool demeanor at the crease, even in pressure situations, has earned him the designation of finisher in many games. His bowling, while less heralded, has also been vital to Sri Lanka’s success. A medium-fast bowler capable of swinging the ball, Mathews has regularly struck at key moments; my his team had to break their opponents’ partnerships, he did so. 
A Leader in Challenging Times
Angelo Mathews’ rise to captaincy began in 2013 when he was announced as sri lanka’s captain. His captaincy was put under the pump during one of Sri Lanka’s darkest hours in international cricket with the retirements of Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and others. Mathews was given the task of rebuilding the team, a challenge that took not just skill on the field, but skill motivating and coaching younger players.
Mathews’ tenure as captain brought both highs and lows for Sri Lanka. One of his most extraordinary achievements came in 2014, when Sri Lanka lifted the ICC World Twenty20 title under his captaincy. It was a historic day for Sri Lanka cricket, winning their maiden ICC T20 World Cup trophy. It showed what a leader he is that he was able to balance a young, inexperienced squad.
Mathews’ captaincy, however, did not come without its problems. They had a mixed bag to say the least with performances both in Test and ODIs and Mathews too suffered with injuries that meant he was often on the sidelines. These frustrations aside, Mathews led from the front as much as he could, and his work was instrumental during Sri Lanka’s rebuilding phase down the line.
Consistency with the Bat
On the individual performance front, the form of Angelo Mathews with the bat has been fantastic. He has been a stalwart in the Sri Lankan batting order, especially in the middle order. One of the most dependable batsmen from Sri Lanka in the modern-day era, his potential to play long innings and adjust himself according to the match situation has been unmatched.
One of the defining moments of Mathews’ career was in 2014 in a Test match against England at Headingley. Mathews hit a memorable century in precarious conditions for Sri Lanka to record their first ever Test series win in England. It was a big hundred that showcased his technique and temperament, both of which have made him a fan favourite among followers of Sri Lankan cricket.
Mathews has gotten some of the more significant knocks throughout the years for Sri Lanka, frequently bailing the side out of pickle. In ODIs, Tests and T20s, it is his ability to stay calm and composed even in the toughest of situations that have made him a big part of Sri Lanka’s cricketing history.
The Spectacular Boundary Save
Mathews is best known for his batting and captaincy, but he has pulled off some spectacular saves in the field as well. His most memorable moment was an incredible boundary save in a 2016 match against Australia. Mathews ran towards the boundary ropes and jumped, inches away from hitting his feet on the boundary line after stopping the ball which was certain to go for a four.
The save was as much a manifestation of athleticism and fielding intelligence as it was one of Mathews’ all-around devotion to a team victory. His effort was a moment of magic that typified his competitiveness and never-say-die spirit. Mathews career has consisted of down the ground hitting on day one and these kind of fielding moments not appreciated in isolation, but have brought him the respect of peers, fans.
As you sit in the stands, just one half of sofa gladiators, and watch the ever-falling numbers crawl up the screen, or, knowing how badly these same numbers have hurt your teams over the past years, count the new zeros, there’s little to do but feel raging and humbled, to medicate and heal.
No conversation around Angelo Mathews would be complete without a mention of the injury woes that have often thwarted his progress. Mathews has struggled with numerous injuries in his career, mainly knees and hamstrings, leading him to miss big chunks of his career. These injuries have kept him out of key matches, including some big tournaments and series.
Through it all, Angelo Mathews has been no less than a lightning bolt of earthshaking as he returned to the very fold he so carelessly dashed from, time and time again with each rebirth displaying such immense resilience when it came to commitment to earning his crest. Such has been the trait of his character and determination to bounce back fitter, available and most importantly match-winning once his body has permitted. Although the injuries somewhat shortened his playing career, his impact on the pitch has not diminished.
Legacy and Future
As it stands, Angelo Mathews is generally considered one of Sri Lanka’s greatest-ever cricketers. His run of unflinching consistency, combined with his leadership skills and all-round ability to perform across formats, ensured that he would live on in the annals of Sri Lankan cricketing history. Having played for over one decade Mathews has been an inspiration for aspiring cricketers of Sri Lanka and worldwide.
Mathews has innumerous accolades to boast off in his career, having scored more than 6,000 runs in both ODI and Test cricket, a number of Man-of-the-Match awards among other things, and also being one of the best all-rounders in the game. Injuries and different evolving team dynamics hurt him along the way but his impact will be there in Sri lankan cricket history.
Movin forward, the international future for angelo Mathews though, remains in doubt, with the ongoing battle with the body & the demands of playing on the real of the game. But his experience and talent mean he will be missed, and he should still play a huge part for Sri Lanka in the years to come.
Conclusion
The career of Angelo Mathews is one of resilience, skill and leadership. Always a player who has put his country first, Mathews’s journey from a promising all-rounder to the fulcrum of Sri Lanka’s cricketing machine started long before things began to quickly go downhill. His pressure-cooker performances, coupled with his astounding fielding, and regularly showing Luce he is their best captain has made him a fan favorite in Sri Lankan cricket. There does not seem to be an end to Angelo Mathews’ career as we still see him in act but what we here know is the one of the great color of cricket, which is surely in his life.
ANISH, Today at 3:33 PM
