Rangana Herath hints at retirement from international cricket

Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath has hinted that he might take retirement from the international cricket.

The 40-year-old, who is bracing up for two-match test series against South Africa, said that there comes a time in player's life when they have to take a decision regarding their future and the time has come for him.

"Following this South Africa series, there is another three months until the England series. For now, this is what I've planned for. There comes a time for every cricketer, when they have to stop playing. I think that time has come for me," Sports24 quoted Herath, as saying.

Herath, who is one of the most successful Test bowlers for Sri Lanka having taken 418 wickets in 90 matches, pulled out of shorter formats of the game in 2016.

Reflecting on his career, the left-arm bowler said that he is happy that he could give 18 years to the Sri Lankan cricket.

"I'm really glad I've been able to play as long as I have. But the most important thing is that of those 18 years, I wasn't able to play for Sri Lanka for about seven of those years," he said.

"I'm proud of what I was able to do in those seven years - the training I did, and the desire I had, especially," he added.

Sri Lanka will host England for five matches one-day international series (ODI) and one-off T20 international, later this year. It is not clear if Herath will be part of that series or not.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are slated to play two-match test series against South Africa beginning July 12.