Sangakkara calls time on first-class career

Ex-Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara says he will miss cricket “terribly” but believes he is retiring from the first-class game at the right time, reports BBC Sport.

Sangakkara, 39, made 35 not out in his final first-class innings for Surrey against Lancashire on Wednesday.

He is fifth on the list of all-time run scorers in Test cricket, with 12,400 runs in 134 appearances.

“Sometimes you hold on a bit too long and I always think it's better to let go a bit sooner than later,” he said.

Left-handed batsman Sangakkara, who will turn 40 on 27 October, ended his first-class career with 20,911 runs.

Almost 1,500 of those runs came for Surrey in the County Championship this season at an average of 106.50.

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He told BBC Sport: “I'll miss it terribly, without a doubt, but that's a good thing. A lot of players walk away bitter and upset and regretting a lot of the things that might have been.

“I walk away with a few regrets, like anyone would, but I'm absolutely happy with the way I played the game and what I've achieved.

“The game goes on and that's the beauty of any sport. It doesn't matter who retires or who comes into play - the sport will be bigger than all of us.”

He will continue playing in overseas T20 leagues in 2018.

Sangakkara calls time on first-class career

Ex-Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara says he will miss cricket terribly but believes he is retiring from the first-class game at the right time, reports BBC Sport. Sangakkara, 39, made 35 not out in his final first-class innings for Surrey against Lancashire on Wednesday. He is fifth on the list of all-time run scorers in Test cricket, with 12,400 runs in 134 appearances. Sometimes you hold on a bit too long and I always think its better to let go a bit sooner than later, he said. Left-handed batsman Sangakkara, who will turn 40 on 27 October, ended his first-class career with 20,911 runs. Almost 1,500 of those runs came for Surrey in the County Championship this season at an average of 106.50. Does Sangakkara make your county team of the season? Pick your side with BBC Sports squad selector He told BBC Sport: Ill miss it terribly, without a doubt, but thats a good thing. A lot of players walk away bitter and upset and regretting a lot of the things that might have been. I walk away with a few regrets, like anyone would, but Im absolutely happy with the way I played the game and what Ive achieved. The game goes on and thats the beauty of any sport. It doesnt matter who retires or who comes into play - the sport will be bigger than all of us. He will continue playing in overseas T20 leagues in 2018.