Angelo Mathews has etched his name in the record books by becoming the third Sri Lankan cricketer to surpass the milestone of 8,000 Test runs, following the iconic duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
At 37 years old, Angelo Mathews reached a significant career milestone during his innings on the second evening of the ongoing Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. Playing his 116th Test and 205th innings, Mathews achieved this feat with a lofted boundary off Keshav Maharaj, joining an elite group of batters on the global stage.
Mathews’ achievement places him in illustrious company as only the third Sri Lankan to achieve 8,000 Test runs:
| Player | Test Runs | Career Span |
|---|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara | 12,400 | 2000–2015 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | 11,814 | 1997–2014 |
| Angelo Mathews | 8,000+ | 2008–Present |
Despite this milestone, Mathews is unlikely to challenge Jayawardene or Sangakkara, both of whom finished their careers with over 12,000 runs.
Closest Challengers
Mathews’ teammate Dimuth Karunaratne, currently less than 1,000 runs away from the 8,000-run mark, could become the next Sri Lankan to join this elite club. Meanwhile, Dinesh Chandimal, dismissed 10 runs shy of 6,000 in this match, may soon reach his own milestone.
Global Perspective: Slowest to 8,000
Mathews reached 8,000 runs in his 205th innings, ranking among the slower players to this milestone. Below is a look at notable players and their journeys to 8,000 Test runs:
