Jayasuriya's test farewell derailed by dislocated thumb

KANDY, Sri Lanka, Apr 5 (Reuters) Desperate to save Sri Lanka from defeat in his final test, Sanath Jayasuriya had to be persuaded from trying to bat today with a dislocated thumb.

Jayasuriya, 36, announced last week he would be retiring from test cricket after the series against Pakistan to make room for Sri Lanka's next generation of test openers.

Fans had been hoping for one last match-winning display from the most prolific batsman in Sri Lanka's history, a man adored for his dare-devil approach, in the second test.

Jayasuriya failed in the first innings, scoring 14, and dislocated his right thumb while taking a catch yesterday, his 74th catch and final act in test cricket.

The dislocation was so bad that the bone jutted out of a deep cut and Jayasuriya clicked the joint back into place himself before being rushed to hospital in Kandy.

Jayasuriya's status in Sri Lanka is such that his arrival at the hospital created a frenzy.

Waiting patients were cleared out of the casualty ward to make space. Doctors and surgeons rushed to see if the injury could be patched up for a final appearance in Sri Lanka's second innings.

After four stitches were inserted, doctors advised the team's management that Jayasuriya would play no further part in the match and would be out of action for at least four weeks.

But with Sri Lanka precariously placed overnight on 73 for eight, Jayasuriya requested a pain-killing injection before the start of the third day's play.

The left-hander had returned to win a one-day game against India last year after dislocating his shoulder in the game, and this time he had to be persuaded out of attempting one last heroic innings.

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