West Indies captain Brian Lara announced on Thursday he will retire from all forms of international cricket on Saturday.

The West Indies captain, who holds the world record score of 400 in test cricket and 501 in the first class game, was initially expected to quit only one-day cricket after his team's final Cricket World Cup game against England and continue with his test career.

Brian Lara will retire Saturday at the conclusion of the Cricket World Cup.
(Rick Rycroft/Associated Press)

After a 20-minute media conference following his team's 99-run victory over Bangladesh and after he had refused several times to discuss his future, the 37-year-old Lara revealed he was giving up test cricket as well.

"If this is the last question, then I'll just say that I want everyone to know that on Saturday I'm going to [be] bidding farewell to all international cricket as a player," he said. "I've already spoken to the [national cricket] board about it and I'd just like to thank everyone."

Lara hinted that Ramnaresh Sarwan should be the next captain.

"He's matured and he's been vice captain for some time," Lara said. "It's important that whoever gets the job, he gets wholehearted support."

Lara has scored 11,953 runs in 131 tests and 10,387 in 298 one-day internationals.

He said he had hoped his 300th would be the semifinal, "but it didn't happen. So be it."

"I hold West Indies cricket close to my heart. I've spent 17 years playing.

"It's been testimony that I've been out there working very hard, toiling for West Indies cricket. I've enjoyed every single day I've played.

"It's been a very good run. But at some point, it has to come to an end."