Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Rangana Herath today announced his retirement from limited-overs cricket in order to focus on his Test career. The 38-year-old said he informed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) about his decision to bid adieu from the ODI and T20 formats last week, and the that the Board has accepted it.
“In the next eight months or so, we’re scheduled to play something like 12 Test matches. I think retiring from the shorter formats is the right move, because that will allow young players to be groomed for the next World Cup in 2019, as well as lowering my workload and letting me concentrate on Tests,” said Herath.
Herath, who suffered from knee injuries in recent years, played a key role in Sri Lanka’s triumphant run at 2014 World T20, where he took five for three, arguably the best-ever T20 bowling performance, in a virtual quarterfinal match against New Zealand. Overall, the spinner has taken 18 T20 International wickets from 17 matches, while claiming 74 wickets in 71 ODIs, conceding 2,362 runs.
Right time
“Every cricketer has to stop at the right time,” Herath said in a statement, issued through SLC.
Sri Lanka is scheduled to play a Test series in England in May and June, for which the preparation will begin on Monday. SLC wished Herath the very best for his Test career. “Sri Lanka Cricket wishes Mr. Herath nothing but the best as he continues to play cricket in his chosen discipline, and in all future endeavours,” a Board release said.
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