Sri Lanka all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya has announced his retirement from Test cricket.
The 38-year-old, who has played 188 Tests amassing an average of 40.07, signed off with a knock of 78 as Sri Lanka looked to build up a formidable lead in their second innings against England in Kandy on Monday.
‘This is my last Test match, I'm retiring from Test cricket after this game,’ he told Sky Sports.
Jayasuriya has marked himself out as one of most accomplished cricketers in the world during his 188 Tests for Sri Lanka, but it is in one-day cricket where he has really excelled.
He is the only player in the world to score over 12,000 runs and capture over 300 wickets in the 50-over format of the game and was quick to stress that he has no plans to retire from that form of the game.
‘I will be continuing with one-day cricket,’ he added.
‘I'm proud of playing more than 100 Test matches in my career. I was thinking before the England series that I would finish it off here.
‘It's the best opportunity to retire from Test cricket and I've decided this would be my last game.’
Jayasuriya also lavished praise on team-mate Muttiah Muralitharan who made Test history by reaching number one in the bowling charts.
Murali overtook spin rival Shane Warne's career haul with the dismissal of Paul Collingwood, his 709th career victim, in his 116th appearance.
‘Murali is an outstanding player, he's an important part of the team,’ he added.
‘I've played with him for more than 15 years and he's a match-winning bowler. I wish him good luck for the future.’
