Jayawardene all set for final ODI at home

Making it obvious that he will quit after the 2015 World Cup, former Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene on Monday, revealed that the seventh and final ODI against England here on Tuesday will be his last at home.

“Going for my last practice session with the boys at home going to have some fun,” the 37-year-old tweeted.

His indication of retirement after the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand came just two days after his best friend and team-mate Kumar Sangakkara bade farewell to his fans in Kandy the last time he was playing an ODI at his hometown.

In the post-match news conference, Sangakkara said he was to retire after the World Cup.

Jayawardene, who quit Test cricket in August, is to feature in the seven-match ODI rubber in New Zealand leading to the World Cup starting on Feb 14.

Sangakkara however has not made his plans clear for his immediate Test future.

Jayawardene has just two half-centuries in the current series, having skipped the third game on account of his daughter’s first birthday.

In the last game he opened the batting, a role he has been urging the selectors to grant him during the 50-over showpiece event.

Despite failing in the last ODI against England, Jayawardene has starred for Sri Lanka as opener.

He has led Sri Lanka from the front, scoring heavily at the opener’s position in the World Twenty20 held in the West Indies and in home ODIs in the past.

(Dawn)