 No encore for the Muppet show, Atapattu retires
20th Nov 2007 20:31 IST
Agencies
Marvan Atapattu decided it was time to retire rather than leave his international future to a Sri Lanka selection panel he described as "Muppets" led by a joker.
Atapattu kept his place for the second test here despite his outspoken outburst during Sri Lanka's innings and 40-run defeat to Australia in the first Test last week.
He scored a defiant 80 to kickstart Sri Lanka's improbable chase for 507 runs needed to win the second Test and announced his retirement from cricket today, just before Sri Lanka went down by 96 runs.
"I write to inform you that I will be retiring from international cricket for Sri Lanka with effect from November 21," Atapattu said in a statement released at the match.
In it, he thanked his former coaches, fans and even administrators.
It was a conciliatory gesture following his comments about Sri Lanka's chairman of selectors Ashanta de Mel and the selection panel last week.
"Sri Lankan cricket, I think at this moment in time, is not going the way, the direction, it should be going," Atapattu said.
continued.. |
