Hobart: Maravan Atapattu announced his retirement from international cricket after his team lost the second Test to Australia on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old sent a statement to Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive Duleep Mendis confirming his retirement.

“I write to inform you that I will be retiring from international cricket for Sri Lanka with effect from November 21, 2007,” the statement, released to the media, said.

Atapattu played 90 Tests for Sri Lanka, scoring 5502 runs at an average of 39.02, but was expected to face disciplinary action on his return home after describing the selectors as “muppets.”

“Sri Lankan cricket, I think at this moment in time, is not going the way, the direction, it should be going,” Atapattu told reporters during last week’s first Test in Brisbane. “Especially with the muppets, basically, headed by a joker.”