Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga retires from international cricket

The 36-year old made 292 appearances for Sri Lanka in all formats, scoring 9,112 runs

Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga has announced his retirement from international cricket.

The 36-year old, who made his international debut in an ODI against West Indies in August 2005, revealed his decision on Twitter, saying "all good things must come to an end."

Tharanga played 31 Tests for Sri Lanka, scoring 1,754 at an average of 31.89, and also made 26 T20 appearances.

However, it was in 50-over cricket that the left-hander came into his own. Tharanga made 235 appearances in the limited overs format, scoring 15 centuries and 37 half-centuries on his way to a career average of 33.74.

He retires from international cricket as Sri Lanka’s eighth-highest ODI run-scorer and lies fifth on the list of ODI centuries.

In a statement, Tharanga said: "I believe it is time for me to bid farewell to my international cricket career after over 15 years of giving the game my all.

I have decided to retire from international cricket 🏏 pic.twitter.com/xTocDusW8A

— Upul Tharanga (@upultharanga44) February 23, 2021

"I leave behind a road travelled with fond memories and great friendships. I am thankful to Sri Lanka Cricket for always having faith and the trust vested in me. I am grateful to the many cricket loving fans, friends and my family for standing by me during my highest of highs and even at my lowest points in my career.

"Your well-wishes and messages of encouragement was easily the drive behind my ambition. For that I thank you call, and I wish you well.

"I would like to wish Sri Lanka Cricket all the very best for the future and I am hopeful that the team will bounce back strong soon."