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Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara has confirmed that he will retire from the One Day International (ODI) format following the 2015 World Cup, to be held in Australia and New Zealand. Revealing that the ongoing ODI series against England will be his last 50-overs assignment at home, Sangakkara said that there ‘is no point sticking around’ and occupying a youngster’s spot if he can’t be a part of the 2019 World Cup.
The 37-year-old couldn’t have hoped for a better farewell, scoring a series-winning century in his last match at Kandy on Saturday. Batting first at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, the home team, riding on a run-a-ball 112 from Sangakkara, posted 292 on the board; in reply, the Alastair Cook-led side could only manage 202 runs. As a result, Sri Lanka have sealed the series 4-2 with one more match to be played on December 16 at Colombo.
Speaking after the match, Sangakkara said: "If I'm not able to play in the next World Cup when one World Cup ends, there is no point in me sticking around. All I'll end up doing is taking up the spot of another player.”
He added: "We have four years to build up a good team. Today, Dinesh Chandimal came in after a while and played a very special, very important innings. Just like that, the likes of Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera have plenty of ability and plenty of talent. We need to give them time and opportunities, just like we had when we were younger. They need time to settle, mature and win another World Cup after this next one."
Will continue playing Tests
The wicketkeeper-batsman – who has been in terrific touch in ODIs in the last four years scoring over 1000 runs in each of them – said that he would continue playing Test cricket, besides reuniting with former national coach Graham Ford at Surrey, who, he says, has been a ‘fantastic influence’ in his career.
Sangakkara said: "My plans for next year are a case of finalising my Test career, and ensuring I can keep my word to the people that I've given my word to. The only thing left is to think about my Test career beyond the World Cup. But I don't see myself playing more than a couple of series at the most.
"Playing for Surrey is something that I really want to do as well. Graham Ford is there. I've worked with Fordie and he's been brilliant for Sri Lankan cricket, and personally to me. He's been a fantastic influence in my career. The idea is not to go cold turkey with retirement, but to slowly wind it down and make sure I don't drive my family nuts by staying at home all day. Hopefully I'll be able to make it there and have a good season."
The southpaw has scored 13,339 runs so far in his ODI career, playing 389 matches, at an average of 40.66.
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