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Sri Lanka: Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara quits Test cricket

Sri Lanka's Nuwan Kulasekara celebrates New Zealand's Martin Guptill being caught out during the fifth one day International cricket match
Image: Nuwan Kulasekara is now concentrating on limited-overs cricket

Sri Lanka seamer Nuwan Kulasekara has announced his retirement from Test cricket, although he plans to continue playing limited-overs matches.

The 33-year-old has not played a Test in almost two years and said in a letter to the Sri Lankan board that he was retiring with "immediate effect".

"I hope it will allow me to better prepare for ODI and T20 cricket, which I would like to continue playing for Sri Lanka subject to good performance and selection," he said.

Kulasekara made his Test debut against New Zealand in 2005 and went on to play 21 Tests, capturing 48 wickets.

His best match figures were 8-58 against Pakistan at Colombo in 2009, while his highest score with the bat was 64 against England at Lord's in 2006.

Kulasekara's last Test appearance, in 2014, was also against England at Lord',s although he has remained a regular fixture in Sri Lanka's one-day international and Twenty20 line-ups.

He has so far played 173 ODIs and was ranked as the No 1 bowler in the world in March 2009.

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Kulasekara has also played 50 T20 internationals and featured in the recent ICC World Twenty20 in India.

Tillakaratne Dilshan
Image: Tillakaratne Dilshan will not be facing England this summer

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has made himself unavailable for the upcoming limited-overs series with England, with the 39-year-old citing a back injury and "other personal reasons".

The limited-overs squad has not been named yet but Sri Lanka have already lost the three-Test series against England after being comprehensively beaten in the first two matches.

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