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Marvan Atapattu's career in pictures The old-fashioned maestro calls it a day 
The first few matches of Marvan Atapattu's career did not show tidings of future greatness. He scored a pair in his debut against India in Chandigarh in 1990, and after 12 Test matches, he had scored a paltry 450 runs at 21.42. But in time, the Sri Lankan selectors' patience was rewarded © Cricinfo Ltd . No part of this photograph may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, magnetic tape or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the copyright owner. 
Atapattu showed signs of becoming the finished product with his maiden double-hundred, against Zimbabwe in his 13th Test, which brought up his average to 30.59. There was no looking back from then on © Cricinfo Ltd . No part of this photograph may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, magnetic tape or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the copyright owner. 
Atapattu's best one-day innings was his match-winning 132 not out against England during the finals of the Emirates Cup in 1998 at Lord's © Getty Images . This image may not be reproduced without specific consent from Getty Images 
Atapattu scored an unbeaten 207, and was involved in a 335-run opening stand with Sanath Jayasuriya, who scored 188 in the washed out third Test against Pakistan in Kandy in 2000 © Cricinfo Ltd . No part of this photograph may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, magnetic tape or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the copyright owner. 
The 2003 World Cup produced the best out of Atapattu. He scored 382 runs at 54.57, including 124 in the tied game against South Africa, which knocked the hosts out of the tournament © Getty Images . This image may not be reproduced without specific consent from Getty Images 
Atapattu relished playing Test cricket against Zimbabwe, who he devoured by scoring a Bradmanesque 1145 runs at 95.41. Here he makes his way to 170 in the first Test in Harare in 2004, during the two-Test series in which he scored 419 runs © AFP 
Atapattu's elevation to the ODI captaincy was met with immediate success when Sri Lanka clinched the Asia Cup in 2004. He also claimed the Man-of-the-Match award for his 65 in the final against India. © AFP 
Atapattu soon became Sri Lanka's captain in both forms of the game.Though a quiet man, he proved to be a straight-talking captain. Here he discusses a disputed chance off Ricky Ponting with umpire Peter Parker © Getty Images . This image may not be reproduced without specific consent from Getty Images 
In October 2005, Atapattu was named captain of the World ODI Team of the Year at ICC awards © Getty Images . This image may not be reproduced without specific consent from Getty Images 
After a good start to his captaincy; a 6-1 defeat in the ODIs, followed by a 2-0 defeat in the three-Test series, both against India, Atapattu soon lost his hold on the leadership © AFP 
A persistent back problem plagued Atapattu towards the end of his career, due to which the captaincy was handed over to Mahela Jayawardene © AFP 
Atapattu scored six double-hundreds in his career. Only Wally Hammond and Brian Lara, with seven, and Don Bradman, with 12, have done better than him © AFP 
When Atapattu was bowled by Sreesanth for 12 in the 4th ODI in Vishakapatnam, little did he know it would be his last ODI. He was selected for the World Cup, but was kept on the bench and dropped from the squad for the subsequent ODI series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. His record now stands at 8529 runs at 37.57 in 268 ODIs 
After he opted out of the home series against Bangladesh, it took a ministerial intervention to make sure that Atapattu boarded the plane to Australia - where showed glimpses of his old touch, criticised the selectors for their handling of the team, and called time on his career two days before his 37th birthday. He scored 80 in his final innings during the second Test in Hobart. Atapattu ended his Test career with 5502 runs at 39.02 with 16 hundreds and 17 half-centuries © AFP |
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