Kumar Sangakkara willing to lead the side in Test cricket

Sri Lankan slipper Kumara Sangakkara said that he will continue to captain the Test squad in the up coming series against England and Australia, although he has resigned from the T20 and One Day International (ODI) captaincy.

?I met with the selectors on Monday and I explained my reasons for my decision and I assured them of my fullest support in helping our new captain settle into the leadership,? Sangakkara said.

?In this regard, I have offered to continue as the Test captain for the forthcoming series with England and possibly Australia if the selectors believe this would help the new captain and aid the transition,? the Sri Lankan skipper said.

He also mentioned that he has no intention of retiring from International cricket and will continue to play for his nation in all the three formats of the game.

Kumar Sangakkara said: ?I have no plans of retirement from international cricket at this stage and subject to form and fitness I would like to be considered for selection in all three formats of the game for the foreseeable future.?

?I would like to announce that after careful consideration I have concluded that it is in the best long-term interests of the team that I step down now as national captain so that a new leader can be properly groomed for the 2015 World Cup in Australia, this was a decision I made prior to the 2011 World Cup.

“I will be 37 by the next World Cup and I cannot therefore be sure of my place in the team. It is better that Sri Lanka is led now by a player who will be at the peak of their career during that tournament,? he said.

Sri Lanka reached the finals of the World Cup 2011 this year, where they were defeated by India by six wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.