18th August, 2014 will be both a memorable and a sad day in Sri Lanka’s Cricketing history as their most capped Test player, Mahela Jayawardene retired from the longest format of the game as Sri Lanka completed their a 2-0 thumping series win over their friendly rival, Pakistan at SSC.
149 matches, 11,814 runs and an average just less than 50 proves the mastery in Mahela’s 17-year illustrious test career. “I thoroughly enjoyed playing for Sri Lanka and I feel very proud to be a part of Sri Lanka Cricket for such a long time.” Jayawardene said claimed to a packed house at the media conference after the match.
Mahela Jayawardene captained Sri Lanka in 38 Tests and led his country to 17 wins and will always go down as one of the most successful captains ever to play the game of Cricket. Jayawardene scored a half-century on his debut against India and he signed off his career with another half-ton in his final inning to complete 50 half-centuries in Tests matches.
Mahela has been an amazing ambassador on and off the field and he has given priority to his millions of fans right throughout his glittering career. “I thank all my fans for coming in numbers for my final Test, I love you all and I thank you so much for the support all these years.“
Mahela retired from the shortest format, T20I after bringing home the ICC World T20 trophy from Bangladesh earlier this year and he has pledged to play until the end of 2015 ODI World Cup in down-under. “I am not getting any younger; right now I need to be motivated and concentrate on myself and currently I am fully focused to be physically fit for the next world cup and be a part of a winning team if I am selected. “
Sri Lanka great Mahela Jayawardena showing the stitches on his Test Cap at a Media conference held after the 2nd and last Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan
The retiring maestro spoke with pride of his test cap.“ This is my first cap which has been with me for 15 long years, first two years, we had a different cap. I have stitched it many times to keep it like this. My Test cap has a big place in my trophy cabinet, I have already planned that. I feel very honoured to wear this cap; it is not an easy thing to let it go. “Jayawardene stated on the cap which was given to him by his first Test captain, Arjuna Ranatunga.
Jayawardene and Sangakkara share a special bond of friendship and they have flourished as a pair on many occasions as they have scored 6635 runs together in Tests and established 12 hundred plus partnerships together including the world record 624 partnership. “For the last 6 years, Sanga for me is the world’s number 1 batsman and I’m really happy for what he has achieved as a friend because I know he has worked hard for it. I felt upset when he got out in our last innings together and I’m really pleased that I played alongside a great batsman like him.” Mahela expressed his views on his brother from another mother.
“Test Cricket is my most favourite format out of all as I really enjoyed playing 5-day cricket and my gut feeling was that this is the perfect time to retire and it was the main reason behind this decision.” Jayawardene said.
An emotional Jayawardene paid tribute to his past coaches, school (Nalanda College), team mates, friends, family, wife, his club (SSC), and SLC on his special day as Sri Lanka’s 69th Test player and idol of a nation bids adieu from Test cricket.
