Jayasuriya to retire from international game in England

Sri Lanka all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya yesterday announced he will retire from internationals this month during the tour of England.

Hours after being picked for the Twenty20 international against England and five limited-overs matches, the veteran revealed he will play only the T20 and one ODI.

Jayasuriya, who will be 42 at the end of the month, said: "I invited you not to share the happiness of my being selected to play for Sri Lanka again, but to announce my decision to end my international career of more than 20 years.

"I consider it a privilege to have represented Sri Lanka, to bring glory to my country and the town of Matara where I come from. The selectors picked me for the whole series but it was my personal decision to retire midway."

Jayasuriya, who made his ODI debut in 1989, was originally included in a 16-man squad despite not playing a limited-overs international since December 2009, while he played his last T20 match a year ago. He was not included in Sri Lanka's World Cup squad and failed to win a contract in this year's Indian Premier League, leading many to think he would not play international cricket again.