Angelo Matthews: Last of the heavyweights to bring down the curtain UNCROWNED KING

Angelo overwhelmed by love of fans

By Callistus Davy

Fanfare, glamour and pompous conduct never mattered to Angelo Matthews and when he marked his farewell from the best format of cricket, he knew whom to thank and the ones who did not deserve any of it.

Fittingly Matthews not only called it a day from Test competition last month but saw the sun set on the distant horizon nearby in Galle, a venue that marked his beginning and his end to the five-day intellectual format of cricket.

“I cannot believe the love I have received since I announced my retirement. I am overwhelmed and ever grateful to all of you,” Matthews, 38, told his fans who flocked in their numbers to see him bow out as the last of the Test heavyweights.

He came out a rare finished product from his St. Joseph’s College in Colombo, a school with an envious history of moulding the careers of many a Sri Lankan cricketer.

Modestly humble, Matthews brought down the curtain on a Test journey closing the chapter on 15 years of service to a nation whose passion for the sport can reach hysterical levels of expectations.

But being the team man and big brother he was, Matthews expressed his belief that his team mates and their successors have the potential to follow in his footsteps.

He was an unsung hero and maker of 8,214 Test runs that made him Sri Lanka’s third highest scorer after Kumar Sangakkara (12,400) and Mahela Jayawardena (11,814).

None of it came on a platter as Matthews went through some of the most enduring moments both on an off the field and his followers of all ages from all walks of life stood by him as he battled internal politics in the establishment.

“I thank all of you (common followers). It was not an easy journey, full of ups and downs and I am ever so grateful to all my coaches and players (team mates) who supported me”, said Matthews who did his part as captain, batsman and bowler.

He was left isolated after the retirements of Sangakkara, Mahela and Tillekaratne Dilshan, but being the true servant of Sri Lanka cricket he held the fort like a big brother guiding his siblings.

Finally the burden is off Angelo’s shoulders as he passes the baton

His exit after featuring in 119 Test encounters leaves the Sri Lanka team with a void to fill and it can only be hoped someone of his mould could fit into his boots in the foreseeable future.

Having blasted 16 Test hundreds and 45 half centuries, Matthews had a parting message and some words of encouragement assuring fans Sri Lanka can look forward to better days.

“It is time for the younger players to take the baton and drive Sri Lanka through. We have the talent and the skill in the dressing room,”  Matthews said.

Sri Lanka beating England in a Test series in England and white-washing Australia 3-0 in a home series will occupy special places in his memory.

He became probably the only batsman in Test history to be timed-out in a match against Bangladesh three years ago, but at his farewell appearance which marked the first Test in Galle, the Bangladesh team rallied around him with hand shakes and pats as he took one final bow.

“I congratulate Bangladesh for a wonderful Test match. They pushed us to the wall,” Matthews told them letting bygones   be bygones.