Atapattu announces his retirement

Marvan Atapattu, one of Sri Lanka's finest batsmen, has finished his eventful tour of Australia by ending his international career. Atapattu announced his retirement in a letter to Duleep Mendis, the Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive, before lunch on the final day of the second Test in Hobart.

He was due to face a hearing on his return to Sri Lanka for his outburst during the opening match in Brisbane when he said the Sri Lankan selectors were "muppets headed by a joker". Despite the complaints about the administration, he retained the support of his team-mates and signed off with a satisfying 80 as he gave Sri Lanka a chance of saving the second Test.

The decision is not a surprise as there have been reports he will lead Delhi Jets in the Indian Cricket League and he is also considering playing for the St George club in Sydney grade cricket.

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Marvan Atapattu gets his captain and coach's backing

Mahela Jayawardene joined Trevor Bayliss, Sri Lanka's coach, in support of Marvan Atapattu as the veteran opener faced an uncertain cricket future following an outburst in which he branded national selectors as 'a set up muppets headed by a joker'.

Atapattu's fate, whether he remains a member of the current Sri Lankan team in Australia, hinges on what action Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) takes over the remarks. The outburst came at the end of the third day's play of the first Test at Brisbane and has become the key topic of discussion in cricket circles ever since.

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'Selectors are muppets headed by a joker' - Atapattu

Marvan Atapattu launched an astonishing attack on the Sri Lanka selectors, calling them a set of muppets headed by a joker and blaming them for the lack of bench strength in the side. His statements came at the end of the third day of the first Test against Australia at the Gabba, with Sri Lanka fighting to stave off a heavy defeat.

"Sri Lanka cricket at this moment of time is not going in the direction it should be going, especially with a set of muppets headed by a joker," Atapattu said at the end-of-day press conference. "I don't give credit to the way they have handled selections.

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Sri Lanka has strong start to three-day Australian cricket tour

Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya hit 84 runs from 85 balls in the first session and went on to score 154 Saturday on the first day of a three-day tour match against the Cricket Australia Chairman's XI.

Fellow veteran opener Marvan Atapattu added 56 runs at the Adelaide Oval to help Sri Lanka notch up 335-4 at stumps on the first day.

The team is preparing for the first of two Test matches against Australia beginning Nov. 8 in Brisbane. The second starts Nov. 16 in Hobart.

"I made my first test century here against Australia, so I'm quite happy to get another hundred here," said 38-year-old Jayasuriya, who has indicated this will be his last tour of Australia. "It's always good to get a hundred before a test series because you get a lot of confidence from that."

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Sri Lanka Release Former Skipper

Sri Lanka Cricket has agreed to release former skipper Marvan Atapattu from his contract.

The move follows speculation that 36-year-old is set to join the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

K Madivanan, secretary of the Sri Lankan Interim Committee, told PA Sport: "The interim committee of Sri Lanka Cricket has considered Marvan's request and has decided to release him from his contract with effect from October 1.

"This is because Marvan needs to give two months' notice before he is released."

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