Former Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews recently expressed his disappointment over Sri Lanka’s sparse Test schedule for 2024. The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently unveiled the Test match itinerary, revealing that Sri Lanka will play just one Test series this calendar year—a two-match series against Bangladesh—after hosting Australia for a similar series in January and February.
Taking to the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Mathews voiced his frustration, writing, “Absolutely shocking to hear that Sri Lanka is only playing 4 Test matches this entire year, including the Australia Tests this month.” His reaction underscores the dwindling opportunities for Sri Lanka in the longest format, especially after their competitive performances in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
Sri Lanka had been in contention for a spot in the WTC final until the business end of the competition, showcasing their growth in Test cricket. Notably, all-rounder Kamindu Mendis matched Don Bradman’s 75-year-old record by becoming the fastest to 1,000 Test runs. Despite such achievements, the team’s Test schedule remains minimal.
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Looking ahead to 2026, Sri Lanka is slated to host the West Indies in June, India in August, and Pakistan in November. However, each series will consist of just two Test matches, reflecting a broader trend of diminishing Test opportunities for lower-ranked nations.
Absolutely shocking to hear that srilanka is only playing 4 test matches this entire year including the aus tests this month @ICC .
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) January 6, 2025
Mathews’ comments come amid reports of a potential two-tier system for the WTC. As per The Age, ICC Chairperson Jay Shah is set to discuss this proposal with executives from Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board. The proposed structure would divide teams into two divisions, with Division 1 comprising Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, while Division 2 would include Bangladesh, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland.
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Interestingly, a similar two-tier system was proposed by the ICC in 2016 but faced rejection, including from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). At that time, the BCCI’s significant influence in global cricket ensured India’s tours to smaller nations, boosting their finances. The current discussions could reignite debates over Test cricket’s future and its inclusivity.
