Dilshan set to announce Test retirement

Veteran Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan will formally announce his retirement from Test cricket on Thursday, saying he is ready to give up his place for a younger player.

Veteran Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan will formally announce his retirement from Test cricket on Thursday, saying he is ready to give up his place for a younger player.

Dilshan said he had planned on making the announcement after the tour to Zimbabwe, but that has been all but cancelled due to financial constraints in Zimbabwe, leaving Dilshan stranded on 87 Tests.

Dilshan said: "I have taken this decision to allow Sri Lanka Cricket to groom another youngster in my place. I was to announce my retirement after the Zimbabwe Test series but unfortunately the tour was postponed."

Dilshan will retire with a Test average of 40.98, and a top score of 193. He made 16 centuries and 23 fifties since his debut against the Zimbabwean in 1999. His most recent series, against Bangladesh, saw him make tow fifties and a ton in four innings.

The 36-year-old then added that he would like to keep playing in the one-day side, and aimed to be part of the 2015 World Cup set-up if the selectors deemed it appropriate.

He said: "I will discuss my future with the national selectors and if they need me I will play till the 2015 World Cup."

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