'In a very good space in my career right now' - Lahiru Thirimanne rubbishes retirement claims

Sri Lanka batter Lahiru Thirimanne has falsified the reports of his international retirement on November 9, while he also informed that he will be missing the upcoming home Test series against West Indies due to the birth of his child.

“Seen some articles that I’m retiring from Sri Lanka cricket and wanted to clarify that I have no intentions of retiring as I’m in a very good space in my career right now,” he wrote on Twitter.

“But unfortunately, I will be missing the West Indies Test series due to the fact that we as a family are welcoming a newborn at this time,” it read further. “But I will be back in Sri Lanka colors asap. Thanks for the well wishers [wishes]. See you soon guys.”

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— Lahiru Thirimanna (@thiri66) November 9, 2021

West Indies are scheduled to play a four-day warm-up game in Colombo from November 14 to 17 upon reaching Sri Lanka, followed by two Tests – both scheduled in Galle and a part of the World Test Championship – starting from November 21.

The hosts are yet to announce their squad for the series, while West Indies have named their 15-member party earlier this week, marking the comeback of Rahkeem Cornwall and Shannon Gabriel, who missed the Pakistan series in August with a hamstring injury. West Indies also named uncapped opener Jeremy Solozano, the southpaw who represented West Indies at the 2014 edition of the U19 World Cup.

“The squad is well balanced, with good depth in all departments. The composition is very similar to the squad that brought us success in our last away tour to Bangladesh, with a few changes in personnel. There are a number of players who are familiar with Sri Lankan conditions and most of the others have good experience in the Indian sub-continent, so they know what to expect and are gearing themselves for it,” chief selector Roger Harper said.

West Indies Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Jermaine Blackwood (VC), Nkrumah Bonner, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Jeremy Solozano, Jomel Warrican.