Change of scene for Sangakkara?

24 August 2015 03:01

Kumar Sangakkara may swap his cricket whites for a job in politics after he was reportedly offered the post of Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Sangakkara brought the curtain down on a glittering international career on Monday although he bowed out on a low note after Sri Lanka succumbed to a 278-run thumping to India in the second Test in Colombo.

The 37-year-old, who retires as the fifth highest Test-runscorer of all-time having amassed 12,400 in 134 matches, was given a fitting farewell after being paraded on the shoulders of his now former team-mates.

And he was then honoured by his country's president Maithripala Sirisena before the role of top envoy to Britain was offered to him.

Sangakkara later said in quotes on the BBC Sport website: "It was a surprise, I have to go and think about it and discuss with his excellency [the president].

"I respect the offer made by the president. I don't have enough experience or knowledge to do a job like that."

At the presentation ceremony, Sangakkara was handed a signed shirt by both Sri Lankan and Indian teams before making an emotional speech at the P Sara Oval.

He said in quotes on Cricinfo: "(My biggest achievements have been) the hundreds, the World Cup win (2014 ICC World Twenty20) but I just look up at the box, all my friends over the last 30 years, have come up here on a Monday to watch me play.

"To be able to go back to a family that will love me whether I win or lose. That is my greatest achievement.

"A lot of people have asked me what has inspired me. I don't have to look beyond my parents.

"I am sorry I don't want to embarrass you but you have been my inspiration."

Sangakkara's last hurrah with the bat in international cricket ended late on Sunday afternoon when he was dismissed for 18.

And India spoiled his farewell party on Monday as spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (five for 42) and Amit Mishra (three for 29) bowled the tourists to a series-levelling victory.

The International Cricket Council led the tributes to Sangakkara, with chief executive David Richardson saying: "Kumar Sangakkara will rightly go down as one of cricket's greatest-ever players and ambassadors."

Source: PA