Farewell Of Legand

His style is upright and simple. His effect has often been demoralising and devastating. Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka's most prolific batsman, will no longer turn out for the national team. The 37-year-old said on Saturday it was time to end his international cricket career. "I have decided to call it a day … (after) the second test of the India series."

 
Sangakkara, who retired from 50-over one day internationals after Sri Lanka's World Cup campaign this year, added: "The original plan was to retire from all international cricket after the World Cup but following a discussion with the previous selection committee, I gave my word that I would be available for these two series.

"But at the same time I said that I would be unable to play six test matches," he said.

India arrive in early August to play three tests in Sri Lanka but the dates and the venues have not been finalised.

It's easy to understand why the national selectors were so keen to hold on to the player. Sangakkara made his international debut in 2000 and is playing in his 132nd test.

He has amassed more than 12,000 test runs at an average of just over 54. There have been 38 centuries.

His record in one day internationals is equally muscular: 14,234 runs in 404 matches, averaging nearly 42 and including 25 centuries.

Only the retired Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid have scored more runs in Test matches.

"I don't want to extend my career for individual records," Sangakkara added. "This is the time to go."

In the first Test against Pakistan in Galle, Sangakkara hit a 50 in the first innings - his 52nd half-century - and 18 in the second when Sri Lanka were dismissed for 206 to lose by 10 wickets. He fell for 34 in the first innings of the second Test.

Once away from the international scene, he will feature in various domestic competitions around the globe including the Big Bash League in Australia for at least the next two seasons playing for the Hobart Hurricanes.

Sangakkara began his Test career as a wicketkeeper-batsman. As the designated keeper, Sangakkara averaged 40.48; as a specialist batsman only Donald Bradman with (99.94) has a higher average.

"I am going to miss playing for Sri Lanka a lot," he said. "I had the time of my life playing for Sri Lanka. I enjoyed playing every format and donning whites for Sri Lanka has been special.

"I can walk away happy that good days outweigh the disappointments."

(By Paul Myers)