Sri Lanka opener Danushka Gunathilaka retires from Test cricket

In the recent development, Sri Lanka opening batter Danushka Gunathilaka has decided to retire from Test cricket in order to shift his focus on white-ball formats. Interestingly, Gunthalika’s retirement call came just a day after his one-year ban concerning a bio-security breach in England was lifted by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Gunathilaka, who made his Test debut in 2017 against India, played eight matches and scored 299 runs with the help of two fifties. His last fixture in the whites came against New Zealand in 2018 in Christchurch.

Gunathilaka ‘s Test statistics might appear average, but his limited-overs career has been more fruitful. In 44 ODIs, the 30-year-old has scored 1520 runs at an average of 36.19, with two hundreds and 10 half-centuries. Similarly, in T20Is, Gunathilaka has scored 568 runs in 30 matches at a strike rate of 121.62, including three fifties.

Even in the Lanka Premier League (LPL), the left-handed batter has impressive numbers. The Panadura-born is currently the leading run-getter in LPL, with 702 runs to his credit in 20 matches.

However, Gunathilaka has been a controversial cricketer for the Islanders. Since his international debut in 2015, he has served three separate suspensions, the latest of which came last year for breaching bio bubble protocols – along with Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella.

SLC names three rules regarding retirement culture

Notably, Gunathilaka’s retirement came days after his teammate Bhanuka Rajapaksa decided to bid adieu from international cricket. Amid the sudden retirements of cricketers, SLC has released three rules in connection with cricketers who shall bid farewell in future.

According to the country’s cricket board’s latest media release, players will have to provide a three-month notice period if they intend to hang their boots.

Further, the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to play in overseas leagues will be provided to only those retired players who have completed the six months of their retirement.

Additionally, only those retired cricketers will be permitted to play in LPL who have played 80% of domestic matches before the start of any season of the exciting T20 tournament.

“National players who intend to retire from national cricket should provide three months’ notice to Sri Lanka cricket of their intention to retire.”

“Retired national players who wish to obtain “No Objection Certificates” (NOCs) to play in overseas franchise leagues will only be issued to such players who have completed six months of their effective date of retirement.”

“Retired national players will be considered eligible for local leagues such as the LPL, only if they have played 80% of matches in the Domestic Cricket Competitions conducted in the season prior to the conducting of the league.”