

Former Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne will retire from international cricket after playing his 100th Test. The second and final Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia starting here from Thursday will be their 100th Test match.
One of the best batsmen in Sri Lanka, 36 -year -old Karunaratne has scored 7,172 runs in 99 Tests in his nearly 14 years of international career at an average of 40, including 16 centuries and 34 half -centuries. He has also scored 1,316 runs in 50 ODIs with a century and 11 fifties.
According to ‘Daily FT’, Karunaratne, who made his debut in international cricket in 2012, said, “It is very difficult for a Test player to keep himself in a year to play four Tests and to maintain his form.”
He said, “We have played very few bilateral series in the last two-three years after the commencement of WTC (World Test Championship). My current form, completing my 100 Test matches and completing the current cycle of WTC (2023-25) are also other reasons. I felt that this is the right time to retire. ”
Karunaratne plans to settle in Australia with his family. He made his debut in first class cricket on behalf of Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in 2008. He said, “I have some private plans. I have decided to retire after talking to other senior players like Angi (Angelo Mathews) and Chandy (Dinesh Chandimal).
Karunaratne said, “Instead of retirement of the three of us at the same time, it would be better for us to retire one by one. I thought I will retire first because I know that seeing the low Test matches being played, I will not be able to reach my next goal of scoring 10,000 runs in Test cricket. “He said,” I so far I am happy with what you have achieved. I want to announce my retirement with a pleasant moment like playing in my 100th Test. ”