The modest masterblaster calls time

[SciD]

The guy who served its country for 2 decades and was instrumental in changing the way ODI criket is played surely deserved better fareweel than this.

It was an exit that brought to mind Mike Atherton?s sheepish departure at The Oval in 2001. No-one knew for sure that this was his final innings in Test cricket, but the way Sanath Jayasuriya shyly saluted his standing ovation was telling in the extreme.

As he reached the rope after a pugnacious 78, he was met with a pat on the shoulder and a semi-embrace by the incoming batsman, Kumar Sangakkara, before Sri Lanka?s uber-fan, Percy Abeysekera, chaperoned him to the pavilion steps beneath a giant national flag. The tongues had been set a-wagging and moments after the close came the confirmation we?d been expecting.

?This is the right time to retire,? Jayasuriya confirmed. He had bowed out on this ground once before, against Pakistan in April 2006, when a nasty broken finger quite literally forced his hand. Though he reneged on that decision - with some success - in England later that year, this time, at the age of 38, there will be no coming back ?There are some young guys coming up, and I wanted to go while on top,? he said. ?Life without cricket will be tough, but I will still be playing one-day cricket and contributing to the team.?

Read More At:
http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/slveng/content/current/story/323557.html

 

[Perm]

He should never have come back after his initial retirement I don't feel. Great batsmen though, wasn't quite a modern great as a Test player, but definitely one of the greatest ODI players ever.

 

[aussie_ben91]

When did he initially retire?

Anyways, I won't say his a great batsman but was a great servant for Sri Lankan cricket.

 

[Skater]

He's a better ODI batsman than Hayden.

Sri Lanka will miss his spin and control.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Yeah because a world-class batting average of 32 pales in comparison to one of 44, doesn't it? Never knew that...

 

[ZexyZahid]

A great player. Jayasuriya is one of my favourite Sri Lankan players. Hopefully he can contribute some more in the ODI cricket.

 

[Perm]

When did he initially retire?

He broke his thumb against Pakistan over a year ago I think, and retired then. Unfortunately the selectors recalled him halfway through the 2006 tour of England.

He's a better ODI batsman than Hayden.

No, he is not.

 

[manee]

He's a better ODI batsman than Hayden.

A few years ago, I would have agreed but Hayden is truly a run scoring machine in ODIs these days.

 

[ivanvdm15]

he still was a legend

 

[Cricketman]

When I read the title I thought it was about Sachin!
Yes, Sanath is a legend. He owns.
Sad to see him go, though :\

 

[King Sanga]

For sure a legend of the game. A very, very accomplished allrounder. His slow darts are quite underrated imo and his batting was just carnage when he was on form. Jusk as the Kiwis and Jimmy Anderson. Pure class.

 

[Dare]

well he is still gona play ODIs where is one of the best ever so hes not really finished with cricket.

 

[aussie_ben91]

He was a pioneer to ODI cricket with his taking advantage of the powerplays even though I think a few have done it more effectively/successfully but he'll be forever known by Sri Lankan fans for how many matches he played.

But he is not in the same class as Hayden who is the most prolific century maker in the world when his in form in either form of the game. Not to mention his statistics completely blow Jayasuriya's out of the water & that he can probably hit a cricket further aswell.

A few years ago, I would have agreed but Hayden is truly a run scoring machine in ODIs these days.

Yeah, haven't you seen the last year or so. His made Adam Gilchrist look like a blocker.

 

[Sureshot]

I imagine hitting a cricket would be a hard task, I wonder if that's what he does instead of meditate before a game, he stays still for the crickets, then POUNCES!

 

[sohum]

He was a pioneer to ODI cricket with his taking advantage of the powerplays even though I think a few have done it more effectively/successfully but he'll be forever known by Sri Lankan fans for how many matches he played.

Sanatha Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana invented going after the ball in the first 15 overs. Before that, most teams played the fielding restrictions normally. Sanath and Kalu completely turned the ODI world upside down in 1996 when their new brand of batting in the first 15 led them to a World Cup victory. So Sanath was a pioneer well before "powerplays" were even conceived, and the way the modern ODI game is played can conceivably be strongly attributed to him.

But he is not in the same class as Hayden who is the most prolific century maker in the world when his in form in either form of the game. Not to mention his statistics completely blow Jayasuriya's out of the water & that he can probably hit a cricket further aswell.

Hayden is a much more prolific run-scorer. There's no arguing that. But that does not put Sanath in a lower "class" than Hayden. He has done a lot for the ODI game and Sri Lankan cricket. He is probably the best player of the flick shot in international cricket, as well.

Anyhow. It'll be sad to see him go (again). Hopefully Sri Lanka can replace him with Atapattu also retiring.