Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal became the latest player to turn his back on Sri Lanka Cricket and provide his services to a team outside the country that will take him to an English country contract with Derbyshire where he will be reunited with his former coach Mickey Arthur.
Lakmal said that playing professional cricket in England was a lifetime dream for him.
The 34-year old Lakmal took 168 wickets, 130 bagged overseas, from 68 Tests and became the first player from Debarawewa to make his way into the Sri Lanka team after graduating at Richmond College. He also took 109 wickets from 86 ODIs.
“I have done my best for my team and country and very proud with my performance with the National team.
“I took this decision to retire from International cricket at the right time considering my age and my family commitment is more important at this stage. I like to see a youngster take my place.
“My fitness mattered the most to me as a fast bowler and that has given me good memories in Test cricket. Being the captain of a team that beat the West Indies has been very memorable to me,” said Lakmal who also captained the team to beat South Africa in South Africa 2-0 in a Test series.
Arthur, who joined Derbyshire as Director of Cricket late last year, praised Lakmal’s attributes as a bowler and a leader in welcoming him to the club.
“Suranga is among Sri Lanka’s all-time greats with the ball and it’s brilliant to be able to bring him to Derbyshire for the next two seasons,” said Arthur.