HOBART, Australia, Nov 20 - Former Sri Lanka
captain Marvan Atapattu announced his retirement from
international cricket after his team lost the second test to
Australia on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old sent a statement to Sri Lanka Cricket chief
executive Duleep Mendis announcing his immediate retirement.
"I write to inform you that I will be retiring from
international cricket for Sri Lanka with effect from November
21st 2007," the statement, released to the media, said.
Atapattu scored 16 centuries in 90 tests for Sri Lanka but
was expected to face disciplinary action on his return home
after criticising the national selectors, describing them as
"muppets."
"Sri Lankan cricket, I think at this moment in time, is not
going the way, the direction, it should be going," Atapattu
told reporters during last week's first test in Brisbane.
"Especially with the muppets, basically, headed by a
joker."
Atapattu also played 268 one-day internationals for Sri
Lanka but his greatest performances were in tests.
He converted six of his 16 test hundreds into
double-centuries, a fear bettered only by Don Bradman (12),
Wally Hammond and Brian Lara (seven each).
(Reporting by Julian Linden; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)