Sri Lanka cricketer Bhanuka Rajapaksa has decided to retire from international cricket.
According to a Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) source, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has handed over his letter of retirement to the cricket administration on Monday.
According to the SLC source, Bhanuka Rajapaksa in his letter of retirement has reportedly mentioned that he will not be able to play cricket with the latest fitness standards introduced by the SLC especially the skinfold levels.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa believes he will not be able to do his power-hitting in case he further brings down his skinfold levels.
The 2km test was introduced early last year (2021) replacing the Yo-Yo test to determine the fitness and endurance levels of the players. The test which had a benchmark of 8.35 minutes, was increased to 8.55 minutes, on a request made by the Cricket Technical Advisory Committee.
However, SLC selectors now want the national players to perform the 2km run within the expected benchmark of 8.10 minutes.
As per the amendments, those who run below the benchmark up to 8.35 minutes will be eligible for selection but the SLC will retain a percentage from the annual contract fee until the player reaches the expected target.
In addition, the cricket administration has also lowered the skin-fold test levels to 70 from 85. (NewsWire)