Sunday 4 January 2015 16:12, UK
Kumar Sangakkara says the prospect of matching a Don Bradman record could prolong his Test career.
The Sri Lanka great became to fifth man to reach 12,000 Test runs during the ongoing second Test against New Zealand in Wellington, doing so in fewer innings than any other player.
A score of 203 in Sri Lanka's first innings was his 11th of 200 or more in Tests, leaving him one short of a mark which has stood since Bradman's retirement in 1948.
Sangakkara is quitting one-day international cricket after the upcoming World Cup but is yet to make a firm decision on his Test future.
He said: "I would love to equal Bradman. It just depends on how everything pans out after this World Cup. It's really hard to predict what will happen and what my thoughts will be about my future.
"I've promised the selectors that I'll really have a chat and reconsider to see if there are a few more months of cricket in me, Test-wise.
"I actually think the desire is always there. It's never the lack of desire or the lack of pride you take in playing for your country that makes you take a decision to say: 'That's enough'. It's just a case of sometimes just knowing it.
"You could be staying at home, you could be playing with your kids, you could be talking with your family or having dinner somewhere, and the thought could hit you: 'Maybe this is the right time.'
"It's a really tough decision to make, but the important thing is that that window of opportunity to walk out on top is really small. If you miss it, you don't know what will happen after that."
On Sangakkara, former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff said: “I played against him on numerous occasions and he is a player for all surfaces and conditions.
"He goes quietly about his business and doesn’t seem to get the credit he deserves, which is a lot for someone who has scored 11 double hundreds!”
Watch day three of New Zealand v Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports 4 from 9.55pm on Sunday.
