Rediff

Melbourne, Nov 20: Former Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu announced his retirement from international cricket after his team lost the second Test to Australia on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old sent a statement to Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive Duleep Mendis announcing his immediate retirement.

"I write to inform you that I will be retiring from international cricket for Sri Lanka with effect from November 21st 2007," the statement, released to the media, said.

Atapattu scored 16 centuries in 90 Tests for Sri Lanka but was expected to face disciplinary action on his return home after criticising the national selectors, describing them as "muppets."

"Sri Lankan cricket, I think at this moment in time, is not going the way, the direction, it should be going," Atapattu told reporters during last week's first test in Brisbane.

"Especially with the muppets, basically, headed by a joker."

Atapattu also played 268 one-day internationals for Sri Lanka but his greatest performances were in Tests.

He converted six of his 16 Test hundreds into double-centuries, a feat bettered only by Don Bradman (12), Wally Hammond and Brian Lara (seven each).