Veteran Sri Lankan cricketer Angelo Mathews has voiced his frustration over the national team’s limited Test cricket schedule, which sees Sri Lanka playing only four Tests in 2025. Expressing his disappointment on social media, Mathews tweeted, “Absolutely shocking to hear that Sri Lanka is only playing 4 Test matches this entire year including the Aus tests this month @ICC.”
The schedule for 2025 raises concerns about the future of Test cricket for nations outside the dominant “Big Three”—India, Australia, and England. The year starts with a two-Test series against Australia, followed by a lengthy five-month gap before a two-Test series against Bangladesh. Alarmingly, no further Test matches are scheduled until mid-2026, marking a 12-month hiatus.
The 2026 schedule also offers little solace, with only six Tests lined up across three series: two Tests each against the West Indies in June, India in August, and Pakistan between October and November. Compared to the robust schedules of cricket’s powerhouses, Sri Lanka’s Test calendar raises serious concerns about player development, competitiveness, and the growth of the longest format of the game.
The situation underscores the growing imbalance in Test cricket scheduling, threatening its global appeal and equitable development.
