KINGSTON, April 25: Sri Lanka's left-handed batsman Russel Arnold has announced he will retire from international cricket after the World Cup final.

“I felt this is the right time,” 33-year-old Arnold said following Sri Lanka's 81-run semi-final win against New Zealand on Tuesday.

“There are a couple of younger guys coming through. I have been busy playing cricket for the last ten years, it's now time to move on and it'll be good to finish things off with a World Cup win.”

A statement from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in Colombo on Wednesday confirmed Arnold's decision.

“Russel has informed his decision to team manager Michael Tissera in Jamaica and it has now been officially conveyed to the cricket board,” SLC spokesman Samantha Algama said.

He will, however, continue to play domestic cricket, Algama added.

Earmarked as a potential future captain, Arnold's full potential was never realised.

He made his Test debut in Colombo against Pakistan in 1997 and enjoyed a permanent position in the Sri Lankan side between 1999 and 2003.

Temporary loss of form forced him onto the sidelines over the past two years before the selectors brought the occasional off-spinner back for the World Cup.

“There have been lots of ups and downs over the years,” Arnold said. “But I am going without any regrets. There have been several other talented guys who never got a chance to represent the country and things could have been worse for me.

“I am happy with what I have achieved. I know the expectations were high, but unlike most other cricketers, I know my talents are limited and I tried to get the maximum out of my talent, which is satisfying”.

Arnold hinted he wanted to stay close to cricket even though a major part of his playing career was now over.

“I want to be involved with the sport in some capacity, it could be commentaries. I have had a few suggestions, but nothing concrete as such.

“I won't get into anything immediately. I will just wait and see.”

Arnold played 44 Tests, scoring 1,821 runs with three centuries, at an average of 28.01. His last appearance in the five-day game was three years ago against Australia in Darwin.The World Cup final will be his 180th One-day International. He has made 3,949 one-day runs with one hundred at an average of 35.57.

Arnold is the latest player to announce his international career is finishing with the World Cup, following the exits of Australia's Glenn McGrath and former West Indies captain Brian Lara, while several coaches have also said they are quitting their respective teams.—AFP