Published: Apr 17, 2016, 03:53 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 17, 2016, 04:55 PM (IST)
Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Hearth has announced his retirement from T20 Internationals (T20I) and One-Day Internationals (ODIs). He will however continue to play Test for Sri Lanka. Herath has played 71 ODIs and 17 T20Is for Sri Lanka. His last ODI for Sri Lanka came at the ICC World Cup 2015, where he played in the quarter-final match against New Zealand at Hamilton. He has picked up a total of 74 wickets in ODIs and 18 scalps in T20Is. He has played 67 Tests so far, in which he has picked up 297 wickets. He also featured in the T20 World Cup 2016 in India recently. READ: Rangana Herath: Tireless hero of Sri Lanka Cricket
“In the next eight months or so, we’re scheduled to play something like 12 Test matches,” Herath said. “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, as well as lowering my workload and letting me concentrate on Tests,” he added, according to espncricinfo.com. READ: Rangana Herath, Kusal Perera questioned over alleged match-fixing scandal
Herath while announcing his retirement looked back at some of his memorable moments in limited overs. “In T20, the two spells I remember fondly are my 5 for 3 against New Zealand, and the 3 for 20-odd against Pakistan at Khettarama,” Herath said. “I haven’t taken any five-wicket hauls in ODIs, but I bowled well in that tri-series final against India, in the Caribbean in 2013. I took 4 for 20 in that game, though we went on to lose. I also have good memories of the 2011 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand [he took 1 for 31].” READ: Angelo Mathews: Kusal Perera, Rangana Herath confessed being approached by bookies in alleged match-fixing scandal
Sri Lanka board in a release wished Herath the very best. “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.
