Angelo Mathews hits out at ICC over lack of Test cricket action for Sri Lanka in 2025

Former Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews has hit out at the International Cricket Council (ICC) on social media. The 37-year-old was left aghast with the lack of Test cricket action for Sri Lanka in 2025. The Lankans will take on Australia in a two-match series in February to end the current WTC cycle. This will be followed by a two-match series against Bangladesh to begin the next cycle. 

Matthews wrote, “Absolutely shocking to hear that Sri Lanka is only playing 4 test matches this entire year, including the Aus tests this month. @ICC.". This is not the first time the scheduling by ICC has come under the scanner. Many former cricketers and experts have expressed dismay at the disparity shown towards a few 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

Australia, England, and India have played the maximum matches during the previous three WTC cycles. The likes of West Indies, Sri Lanka, even to a certain extent, South Africa, and New Zealand haven’t been able to get much red-ball action. 

Sri Lanka’s 2025-27 WTC schedule 

The coming two years of the World Test Championship will see Sri Lanka play 12 Test matches. Curiously, all of Sri Lanka’s matches are two-game series, with the first assignment being against Bangladesh at home. In 2026, the Emerald Nation will be busy with series at home against West India in June and India in August.

2026 for Sri Lanka ends with the visit of Pakistan before hosting New Zealand in early 2027. The Lankans then end their WTC cycle with the home series against South Africa. With 12 games mostly being played at home, Dhananjaya De Silva and his men will be one of the favourites to reach the finals. 

India, on the other hand, plays 14 Test matches with five games away in England in 2025. Their next five-match series comes at home in early 2027 as they host Australia. Team India has two home series scheduled in 2025 as the host West Indies and South Africa for two-match series. Apart from their tour of Sri Lanka in 2026, Team India also tour New Zealand for a 2-match series in late 2026.