'Absolutely shocking' - Angelo Mathews left thinking with Sri Lanka playing only four Tests in 2025
Mathews' social media post came amid speculation of the ICC considering a two-tier system for the next cycle of the WTC.
Former Sri Lankan skipper, Angelo Mathews, recently reacted to Sri Lanka's Test match itinerary for the current year. This comes after the roster for the island nation was revealed by the International Cricket Council recently. According to the programme, they will play just one series in the new cycle this calendar year.
A two-Test rubber against Bangladesh will be the only series which Sri Lanka will play after hosting Australia for the same number of Tests across January and February.
Taking his frustration to microblogging platform 'X' (formerly known as Twitter), Mathews wrote, "Absolutely shocking to hear that srilanka is only playing 4 test matches this entire year including the aus tests this month."
Check Mathews' post here:
This arises following the upturn in fortunes in the longest format for the side. Till the business end of the ongoing World Test Championship, Sri Lanka were in the race for a top-two finish. The run also included left-handed batting all-rounder, Kamindu Mendis, equalling Don Bradman to become the fastest to 1000 Test runs after a span of 75 years.
As for 2026, Sri Lanka are scheduled to host the West Indies in June, India in August, and Pakistan in November. All three series consists of just two Test matches, respectively.
Speculation of two-tiered WTC
Incidentally, Mathews' post on X follows there being reports of a two-tier system for the WTC. According to reports by The Age, there will be further discussions on the same between chairperson of the ICC, Jay Shah, and top-tier executives of Cricket Australia and the England & Wales Cricket Board this month. The suggested proposal is that there will be two divisions (Division 1 consisting of Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka & Division 2 consisting of Bangladesh, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland).
Interestingly, the same concept was taken up by the ICC in 2016. However, the plan was rejected by many boards, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India. It is important to note that at that time, BCCI’s clout in the ICC was based on its benevolence, in turn allowing the India side to tour smaller nations and surge their finances.
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