Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweeraannounced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday after he wasexcluded from the squad to play Bangladesh in the first test this week.
Samaraweera said he made up his mind to end his 15-yearinternational career after speaking to chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya and SriLanka Cricket secretary Nishantha Ranatunga about their plans for him, a dayafter they asked him not to rush his decision and invited him for talks.
The 36-year-old right-hander was not in the initial squadfor the two-test series against Bangladesh because the selectors said theywanted to groom younger players. He also had a poor series against Australia —79 runs in six innings — in December-January but kept his central contractafter a great domestic season. Then he was drafted into the preliminary squadas a replacement for the injured Mahela Jayawardene.
Samaraweera said the authorities told him he was not goingto play for Sri Lanka for the next 10 months, until a series against Pakistanwhich he said was too much of an interval.
"They (Jayasuriya and Ranatunga) said that they will begoing with only two senior players in the series and also the coming Zimbabweseries. But they said they offered me a contract because they needed myexperience for the Pakistan series," Samaraweera said.
"As of late, it is Thilan Samaraweera who had to losehis place when the selectors opted to give an opportunity to a younger playeror a change in the batting order. It happened this time, too."
Of his career, Samaraweera said, "I need not lie sayingI had no frustrations ..."
He made his one-day debut in 1998 and in tests three yearslater, with a century on debut against India. After 81 tests, he ranks sixth inSri Lanka's list of scorers (5,462) and third on average (48). He racked 14centuries.
Regarded as reliable and patient, Samaraweera underlined hisstrength of character after he was shot in the thigh during the infamous deadlyattack in Lahore on the Sri Lanka team convoy during the 2009 tour of Pakistan.Within four months he was back on the pitch for his 50th test.
He also played 53 one-day internationals and scored 862runs.
Samaraweera said he will play for English countyWorcestershire this season, and thereafter will make a call on his first-classcareer with the Sinhalese Sports Club.