VETERAN Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has revealed he is contemplating calling time on his Test career.
The opener showed he still has what it takes to perform at the highest level after notching up 147 in the second innings of his side’s 137-run loss to Australia in Hobart last week.
But after 13 years in the Test side, the 36-year-old admitted he will speak to his family before making a decision on when he will retire while also confirming he will play in the 2015 World Cup regardless of whether he continues his Test career.
“I just chatted with my manager and family (about) how far I want to play Test cricket and the one-dayers,” he said.
“One day, definitely, I’m going to play in the 2015 World Cup. That’s my target, but I’m not sure how long I’m going to play Test cricket.
“After this Test series finishes, I’m going to take the decision on how long I’m going to play Test cricket.
“I want to finish this tournament. I’m not thinking of retirement. After this Test series I will sit down with my wife and family and discuss when I’m going to finish Test cricket.”
If the Test series against Australia does prove to be his last, Dilshan will want to bow out from cricket’s longest format on a high. He and his team-mates will attempt to wrestle the series back in their favour when the second Test gets under way in Melbourne from December 26.
And Dilshan has high hopes for the wicket this time around after enduring a tough week at the crease in Blundstone Arena on a pitch that favoured the bowlers as the match wore on.
“I think it might be a different wicket for Test matches,” Dilshan said.
“The wicket here is a very good wicket for batting, especially on the second and third days.
“We’ll see how the wicket is behaving here. I hope it’s not like the last Test match on the last day (when it was) a little bit up and down. I think this wicket might be good for the bowlers and batsmen.” (CA)