Sri Lanka's Jayawardene may quit after World Cup

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene said Sunday he may quit international cricket after the World Cup.

"This will be my fourth, and quite possibly, last World Cup, depending on form, fitness and the plans of the selectors in 2015," Jayawardene told the Sunday Times newspaper.

Jayawardene, 33, a stylish right-hand batsman, captained the side that reached the final of the 2007 World Cup when they lost to Australia, shattering their hopes of emulating the 1996 title-winning team.

"In 2007, we played really well and came agnoisingly close to repeating the heroics of our 1996 team. We've lost some superstars, but gained a really talented group of cricketers," he said, referring to 1996 stars like Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas, who have been left out of the current team.

However, record bowler Muttiah Muralitharan remains the sole survivor of the 1996 dream team and will also be playing his last World Cup. Muralitharan announced his retirement from international cricket last July.

Sri Lanka were taking on Canada in their opening match on Sunday at the newly-built Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium in Hambantota.

Pakistan, Kenya, Australia, Zimbabwe and New Zealand make up Group A.

With a combined Test and one-day runs tally in excess of 18,000, Jayawardene told www.cricinfo.com on Saturday that his fitness levels will decide his future international career.

"I definitely don't want to drag myself through international cricket. I want to play as long as I am enjoying and contributing to the team and have the hunger," he said.