Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan announces retirement from international cricket

Sri Lanka's last link with their golden generation of cricketers, all-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan, has announced his plans to hang up his boots from international cricket after the end of their limited overs series against Australia.

The 39-year-old, who has amassed 5,492 runs from 87 Tests and 10,248 runs from 329 One Day Internationals (ODI), will take part in the two-match Twenty20 series and play his final match for his country on 9 September.

Known as the creator of Dilscoop, the right-handed batsman made his international debut against Zimbabwe in 1999. Having batted largely in the lower middle order for almost a decade, he blossomed in the ODI format, when he was given the opener's slot in 2009, marking a turning point in his career.

He has scored 1,000 or more ODI runs in a calendar year four times since then, while also becoming the fourth Sri Lankan batsman after Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene to cross 10,000 ODI runs. Dilshan was in prime form over the past two years, averaging 49.18 in the one day format since the start of 2013.

The 39-year-old has also been one of the leading players in the T20 circuit over the past six years, distinguishing himself as a destructive batsman. Dilshan was the highest run-scorer in the 2009 T20 World Cup. He helped his side win one title while also finishing as the second highest run-getter in T20 international history with 1,884 from 78 games.

Dilshan captained Sri Lanka for two years between May 2010 and January 2012 and was an effective off-spin bowler, picking up 106 wickets at an average of 44.84. His retirement will come as a big loss for the islanders, who are currently in the process of rebuilding the side.