COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara said on Tuesday he was resigning from the job three days after his team lost to India in the World Cup final. Sangakkara said he told the national selectors that he would quit as one-day and Twenty20 captain with immediate effect, but offered to continue as Test captain on an interim basis if required.
“After careful consideration I have concluded that it is in the best long-term interests of the team that I step down now as national captain so that a new leader can be properly groomed for the 2015 World Cup,” Sangakkara, 33, wrote to Sri Lanka Cricket. “This was a decision I made prior to the World Cup. I will be 37 by the next World Cup and I cannot therefore be sure of my place in the team.
“It is better that Sri Lanka is led now by a player who will be at the peak of their career during that tournament.” Sangakkara, a fluent left-hand batsman and wicket-keeper, said he had no plans yet to retire as a player. “I met with the selectors on Monday and I explained my reasons for my decision and I assured them of my fullest support in helping our new captain settle into the leadership,” he wrote.
“In this regard, I have offered to continue as the Test captain for the forthcoming series with England, and possibly Australia, if the selectors believe this would help the new captain and aid the transition.
