Wednesday 20 April 2016 14:25, UK
Sri Lanka bowler Rangana Herath has retired from one-day and Twenty20 internationals in order to focus on playing Test cricket for his country.
The 38 year-old spinner became an integral part of Sri Lanka's side following the retirement of all-time leading Test wicket taker Muttiah Muralitharan in 2011.
However, the veteran spinner has now decided to retire from limited overs cricket in order to focus on the five-day game, where he is just three wickets away from becoming only the third Sri Lankan to reach 300 dismissals.
"Every cricketer has to stop at the right time, I feel it's time to make room for fresh talent to be groomed with the 2019 World Cup in view," said Herath in a statement from Sri Lanka Cricket.
Herath took 74 wickets in 71 one-day international matches for Sri Lanka, as well as 18 wickets in 17 matches for the T20 side.
The left-arm spinner took five for three against New Zealand in 2014 to help his side win the World T20 in Bangladesh.
He was also included in the Sri Lanka squad for this year's World T20 in India, where he took three wickets in four matches.
The Sri Lanka Cricket board thanked Herath for his service in a statement released on Sunday.
"Sri Lanka Cricket wishes Herath nothing but the best as he continues to play cricket in his chosen discipline, and in all future endeavours," the statement read.
The veteran spinner is likely to be included in the Sri Lanka squad that will tour England and Ireland this summer.
