Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Veteran Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews has issued a heartfelt and critical plea for his nation to be given more opportunities to play Test cricket, lamenting the “sad” state of a fixture calendar that heavily favors the sport’s wealthier nations.

Speaking in the wake of Sri Lanka’s Test series against Bangladesh, Mathews voiced the growing frustration felt by teams outside of cricket’s “Big Three” (India, Australia, and England). He pointed out the stark disparity in the number of matches played, highlighting that while some nations engage in lengthy four or five-match series, teams like Sri Lanka are often relegated to short, two-Test encounters.

“It’s quite sad that we are not getting to play more Test cricket,” Mathews stated, expressing a sentiment shared by many players from similar nations. He emphasized that the limited schedule severely hampers player development and the team’s ability to build momentum and cohesion.

This scarcity of fixtures has a direct and damaging impact on Sri Lanka’s chances in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). In a two-match series, a single loss can derail the entire campaign, leaving no room for a comeback. This makes it incredibly difficult for teams with lighter schedules to compete for a spot in the WTC final, regardless of their talent or form.

Mathews’ comments underscore a critical issue facing the future of international cricket: the widening gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” While the financial powerhouses enjoy a packed calendar, other full-member nations are starved of the chance to compete in the game’s most prestigious format.

Ultimately, his plea is more than just a request for a fuller schedule; it’s a call to the ICC and cricket administrators to protect the integrity and competitive balance of Test cricket, ensuring its survival and health beyond just a select few countries.

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