West Indies captain Brian Lara will bring the curtain down on his 17-year, record-breaking, international career on today, ending speculation over his future following his team's dismal World Cup campaign.
"I have given this extensive consideration. I just want everybody to know that on Saturday I am bidding farewell to international cricket as a player," Lara said after his team's 99-run win over Bangladesh in a Super Eights game on Thursday.
The announcement means Lara will not be part of the West Indies team for next month's tour of England paving the way for vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan to take over the reins.
PHOTO: AP
The 37-year-old Lara, who made his debut in 1990, played 131 Tests, scoring 11,953 runs with 34 centuries. He holds the world record Test score of 400 not out.
Lara has also played 298 one-day internationals, scoring 10,387 runs.
"I want to be remembered as a batsman who provided entertainment to the fans and in adversity tried my best to perform," said Lara whose last match will be at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown when the West Indies play their final World Cup game against England.
Lara, who turns 38 on May 2, had already announced that he would retire from one-day cricket.
He was in his third stint as West Indies captain and had become the subject of much criticism for the team's lacklustre performances in the World Cup where they failed to reach the semi-finals.
He had also been in conflict in recent years with the West Indies Cricket Board over selection matters, contracts and personal sponsorship deals.
When asked if he got support as captain, Lara replied: "It's not the time to criticize, it's not the time, it's done and gone. I won't dwell over spilt milk. I wanted to play my 300th one-dayer but it didn't happen, so be it," he said.
Lara said every career comes to an end.
"I toiled for West Indies cricket and some point in time it had to come to an end. I am proud of myself and my strength came from my parents who made me able to pick myself up when needed."
Lara said he would be happy to help West Indies cricket in future.
"At any point in time if they need me to make a contribution outside the playing field, I am willing to help. I played with some great players and whenever it's time to pay back, I will be there," he said.
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