When should a cricketer retire from International cricket?

Bro. Nimal Gurusinghe F.S.C.

As an ardent cricket fan I feel it is worth pondering on this issue. Also it is a relevant point to question in the present day context. I know most of the players do not like to hang their boots even when they are old, especially our Sri Lankan cricketers. They know if they continue to play it is a gold spring. So they would like to carry on as long as possible.

They are the least bothered about their country or their own form. If our selectors wait till so called old horses retire that will do more harm than good to our national cricket. Therefore, the Cricket Board or the Interim Committee has to take some steps to persuade some of the senior cricketers to retire.

When a player is about 35 years of age he is fairly old as a cricketer. A cricketer needs a lot of strength and energy to perform well. He cannot do the same way what he did in his twenties. Then the selectors should take a bold step and inform the player that he has played enough for the country. If he continues young players cannot be included on the side. Then the future of Sri Lanka cricket is in danger. If you do not include up and coming players in the team they will never get a chance to expose themselves.

If an aged player wants to continue after 35 he should be given targets. From there onward his next 10 innings he should show his worth to remain in the team. If he is a batsman he should score at least 350 runs. A bowler should be able to take at least 35 wickets for the side. If his performances are lower than the expected target there is no point in carrying on in the side as a passenger.

There are some veteran players in the side who get a century or 5 wickets once in a blue moon. It is not a criteria to keep them in the national team. No player should remain in the team because of his past glories.

His past glories will never give anything to present or future cricket in Sri Lanka.

When a player is about 35 years old definitely he had played at least 10 years of cricket. By that time he has earned enough money. Those players can be paid less money than others. This way you can persuade those players to say good bye to Sri Lanka Cricket early. If they refuse to play for lesser amounts we can come to know their true colours. They play cricket because they love money. They do not have any love for the country.

My main concern is not aged players playing in the team but when they do not perform well and continue to play.

That is mockery of cricket. In every nook and corner there are very talented young players. So we need not depend on so called big names all the time. Our veterans should realize that they cannot play the game forever.

They have to leave room for young blood to come in. No one in this world is indispensable. Cricketers may come and cricketers may go but Sri Lanka cricket will go on forever.

When a player has done his part to his team he must have the guts to hang up his boots very gracefully. Some want to remain till others ask them to leave. It looks very ugly and it is a shame. All players must have love for their country. They must be humble to leave room to young cricketers.

That will help Sri Lanka cricket to blossom I am not against any senior cricketer.

I always appreciate the services they have rendered to Sri Lanka. One time they were juniors and their seniors made way for them. They also should emulate those great cricketers.