Stylish Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene is all set to retire from Test cricket after the conclusion of the ongoing 2nd Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo against Pakistan. The former Sri Lankan Captain had announced his decision to retire from Test Cricket a month ago during the home series against South Africa.
Above pic: Mahela Jayawardene getting a guard of honours as he walks in to field during the Pakistan innings at SSC, Colombo
On Thursday, his family which included his parents turned up at the SSC during the first day’s play. Mahela Jayawardene is the most capped Test player for Sri Lanka and will retire with 149 Tests to his name. The 37-year-old will continue to play ODI cricket and is expected to bow out of International cricket completely after the 2015 World Cup.
Above pic: Mahela Jayawardene’s parents Senerat Jayawardene (father) and Susila Jayawardene (mother) during the opening day’s play at SSC, Colombo
Mahela Jayawardene along with Kumar Sangakkara is the only Sri Lanka to have scored more than 10000 runs in Test Cricket. Mahela averages very close to 50.00 and has a career best of 374 which came at Colombo against South Africa.
In what was his penultimate Test innings, Mahela Jayawardene scored only 4 while lasting 16 balls when he was trapped lbw by Saeed Ajmal.
Above pic: Christina Sirisena, wife of Mahela Jayawardene along with her daughter during the SSC Test