Jayasuriya back for swansong

Last Updated: June 9, 2011 5:11pm

Jayasuriya: recalled for one last hurrah

Sri Lanka have turned to Sanath Jayasuriya for the forthcoming limited-overs series against England - but the veteran batsman will retire midway through the tour.

With Upul Tharanga ruled out the series as he faces a disciplinary hearing following reports of a failed drugs test during the World Cup, Sri Lanka have recalled the 41-year-old Jayasuriya.

The left-hander last played for Sri Lanka in December 2009 and his international career appeared over after he was omitted from the World Cup squad.

Hours after the announcement of his recall, Jayasuriya confirmed it will be his international swansong.

"The selectors picked me for the whole series but it was my personal decision to retire midway."
Sanath Jayasuriya Quotes of the week

He will play in the one-off Twenty20 international and the first of five ODIs before calling time on his career.

"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," he said.

"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's one-day international record is impressive - only Sachin Tendulkar has scored more runs than his 13,428 in ODI action, while he has taken 322 wickets with his left-arm spin since his debut in 1989.

Sri Lanka also have named Tillakaratne Dilshan and Angelo Mathews in their 16-man squad despite fitness doubts.

Captain Dilshan must sit out the final match of the Test series with a fractured thumb, while all-rounder Mathews must prove his fitness.

Test players Thilan Samaraweera, Farveez Maharoof, Chanaka Welagedara and Tharanga Paranavitana have not been asked to stay on for the limited-overs matches, however Lasith Malinga returns.

Sri Lanka one-day squad: T Dilshan (capt), T Kandamby, K Sangakkara (wkt), M Jayawardene, D Chandimal (wkt), J Mendis, D Karunaratne, T Perera, Malinga, N Kulasekera, S Lakmal, D Fernando, S Randiv, A Mendis, A Mathews, S Jayasuriya

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