England vs. Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya calls it a day, will retire after first ODI

Sanath Jayasuriya: Time to bid adieu

In an interesting turn of events veteran Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya was selected as part of the team that will play England in the ODI series that follows after the third and final test. This came after Upul Tharanga failed a dope test and was ruled out of the series leaving the opener’s slot. Tharanga had tested positive after the semi-final against New Zealand in the World Cup – the final of which they eventually lost to India. Sanath Jayasuriya found it to be a good opportunity to quit since he is now actively involved in Sri Lanka Politics and is also a member of parliament.

Jayasuriya will retire after playing the first ODI and a T-20 match. The left hander has kept bowlers from all part of the world under his wrath for over 20 years. Sanath debuted in 1991 in the longer format of the game against New Zealand at Hamilton. Interestingly, he played his first international match at the age of 20 in 1989 against England at Kandy. The left hander who started his career as a bowler who could bat has amassed over 20,000 runs in all forms of the game. He has been particularly destructive in the ODI format and had the delight of lifting the world cup under the leadership of Ranatunga in 1996.

Jayasuriya has been a highly respected player over the years and receiving cold-treatment from the selectors in the last couple of years has certainly saddened him. His exit is yet on his own terms and he would be glad that the board provided him an opportunity. Sanath is also an active commentator for various broadcasting networks and played the IPL for the first 3 years with Mumbai Indians. HE has been recognized as the best opener in the limited overs cricket in league with Sachin Tendulkar and Adam Gilchrist.

Sanath Jayasuriya organized a press conference in which he declared that he would retire after playing a T-20 international and an ODI in England. He said that retirement was a consequence of some “personal reasons” and commitments. This does leave Sri Lanka in a spot of bother as the hunt for another opener will assume but we can safely say that whoever the replacement be, it won’t be as good as the legend himself. We wish him a happy life ahead and hope that he plays his last games in trademark style.