When you think of Sri Lankan cricket in the last two decades, a few names immediately come to mind — Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga… and of course, Angelo Mathews. Known for his calm presence under pressure, his ability to deliver both with bat and ball, and his leadership qualities, Mathews carved out a legacy that makes him one of the most influential allrounders in the modern game.
In this detailed profile, let’s take a closer look at Angelo Mathews’ career — his journey, batting and bowling records across all formats, his IPL stint, and the impact he has had on Sri Lankan cricket.
Early Life and Introduction to Cricket
Angelo Davis Mathews was born on June 2, 1987, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Cricket was in his DNA from a young age, and he quickly made a name for himself in school and domestic circuits as a promising allrounder. By the late 2000s, Sri Lanka was searching for young talent to carry the team forward after their golden generation. Mathews fit the bill perfectly — a batting allrounder with the ability to stabilize innings and provide breakthroughs with his medium pace.
Player Profile at a Glance
-
Full Name: Angelo Davis Mathews
-
Date of Birth: June 2, 1987 (38 years old)
-
Birthplace: Colombo, Sri Lanka
-
Role: Batting Allrounder
-
Batting Style: Right-Handed Bat
-
Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium
-
Height: —
-
Country: Sri Lanka
Angelo Mathews’ Batting Career Stats
Angelo Mathews has been a reliable batsman across formats, known for his gritty temperament and ability to play match-winning knocks.
Test Career
-
Matches: 119
-
Innings: 212
-
Runs: 8,214
-
Balls Faced: 16,970
-
Highest Score: 200
-
Average: 44.40
-
Strike Rate: 48.41
-
50s: 45 | 100s: 16 | 200s: 1
-
Fours: 835 | Sixes: 90
Analysis: In Tests, Mathews established himself as a dependable middle-order batsman. His double century against Zimbabwe in Harare is often remembered as one of his finest knocks.
ODI Career
-
Matches: 226
-
Innings: 194
-
Runs: 5,916
-
Balls Faced: 7,135
-
Highest Score: 139
-
Average: 40.52
-
Strike Rate: 82.92
-
50s: 40 | 100s: 3
-
Fours: 468 | Sixes: 90
Analysis: In ODIs, Mathews was Sri Lanka’s crisis man. Whether it was guiding run chases or steadying the ship after quick wickets, his calmness under pressure was unmatched.
T20I Career
-
Matches: 90
-
Innings: 73
-
Runs: 1,416
-
Balls Faced: 1,175
-
Highest Score: 81
-
Average: 27.76
-
Strike Rate: 120.52
-
50s: 6 | 100s: 0
-
Fours: 92 | Sixes: 50
Analysis: Though not the flashiest T20 batsman, Mathews’ role was often to anchor innings while allowing big hitters to play freely.
IPL Career
-
Matches: 49
-
Innings: 42
-
Runs: 724
-
Balls Faced: 575
-
Highest Score: 65
-
Average: 23.35
-
Strike Rate: 125.92
-
50s: 1 | 100s: 0
Analysis: In the IPL, Mathews was seen as a handy finisher and an experienced head. While not a headline-grabber, he brought balance to franchises like Pune Warriors and Delhi Daredevils.
Angelo Mathews’ Bowling Career Stats
While his batting took center stage, Mathews’ bowling often gave Sri Lanka crucial breakthroughs.
Test Career
-
Matches: 119
-
Wickets: 33
-
Best Bowling: 4/44
-
Bowling Average: 54.48
-
Economy: 2.71
Analysis: In Tests, his role as a bowler was secondary, but he could surprise batters with a crucial spell when needed.
ODI Career
-
Matches: 226
-
Wickets: 126
-
Best Bowling: 6/20
-
Bowling Average: 32.62
-
Economy: 4.63
Analysis: His 6/20 against India is one of the best spells by a Sri Lankan allrounder in ODI history.
T20I Career
-
Matches: 90
-
Wickets: 45
-
Best Bowling: 3/16
-
Bowling Average: 30.87
-
Economy: 7.13
Analysis: In T20Is, Mathews often bowled in the powerplay or middle overs, keeping things tight and chipping in with wickets.
IPL Career
-
Matches: 49
-
Wickets: 27
-
Best Bowling: 4/19
-
Bowling Average: 39.96
-
Economy: 8.18
Analysis: In the IPL, he played more as a batting allrounder, but when trusted with the ball, he delivered useful spells.
Career Highlights & Memorable Moments
-
2009 Test Debut vs Pakistan: Mathews made his Test debut at Galle International Stadium. His resilience with the bat quickly made him one to watch.
-
2014 T20 World Cup Champion: A key member of the squad that lifted Sri Lanka’s maiden T20 World Cup title.
-
Captaincy Stints: Mathews led Sri Lanka in multiple formats, earning respect for his composed leadership style.
-
Double Century in Tests: His 200 against Zimbabwe remains one of his career-defining innings.
-
Best Bowling Spell in ODIs: His 6/20 against India showcased his allround ability.
Also Read : Tabraiz Shamsi Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
Angelo Mathews’ Career Timeline
-
T20I Debut: June 8, 2009, vs Australia at Trent Bridge
-
Last T20I: June 16, 2024, vs Netherlands at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium
-
Test Debut: July 4, 2009, vs Pakistan at Galle International Stadium
-
Last Test: June 17, 2025, vs Bangladesh at Galle International Stadium
-
ODI Debut: November 28, 2008, vs Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club
-
Last ODI: November 9, 2023, vs New Zealand at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
-
IPL Debut: April 25, 2009, vs Chennai Super Kings at Newlands
-
Last IPL Match: May 2, 2017, vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at Arun Jaitley Stadium
Why Angelo Mathews Matters to Sri Lankan Cricket
Mathews was more than just an allrounder. He was a symbol of reliability during a transitional era for Sri Lanka. After the retirements of legends like Sangakkara and Jayawardene, Mathews shouldered the responsibility of guiding younger players while performing consistently himself.
His leadership may not have been flamboyant, but it was steady and dependable — just like his batting style. Fans often remember him as Sri Lanka’s “silent warrior,” someone who let his performances do the talking.
Conclusion
Angelo Mathews’ cricketing journey is a story of resilience, consistency, and quiet brilliance. From gritty Test knocks to clutch ODI finishes and handy bowling spells, he gave Sri Lanka balance and confidence in every match he played.
Even as he moves toward the twilight of his career, his contributions have already etched him into Sri Lanka’s cricketing history. For fans, Mathews will always be remembered as the allrounder who kept the team steady when it mattered most.
