Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera retires

Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera retires

Sri Lanka Cricket

Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday after selectors dropped him from the opening Test against Bangladesh which starts in Galle later this week.

“I was shocked with my omission from the squad against Bangladesh,” he told reporters, adding he had been told by the selectors that they may need him for the tour of Pakistan later this year.

“There was no point in waiting for nine months. I respect the decision of the selectors to go with young players and decided it was the right time for me to retire.”

Thilan Samaraweera began his cricket career at Ashoka Vidyalaya and moved to Ananda College. He played for the Colts Cricket Club before switching to the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC). 

“I started my career 12 years ago and I got my Test debut in 1998. I played under a lot of captains and trained under several international coaches,” he said. Responding to the questions raised by journalists he said that he never received a salary of Rs. 4 million a month, like some other cricketers were reported to be getting. 

“I have never got so much money as a salary. I think a wrong impression had been made to the public. Players play for the country and not for the money. There were few discussions with the board regarding the new contract. Players didn’t ask for anything new out of this contract, and the clauses were the same as what has been signed since 2009,” Mr. Samaraweera said.