Sri Lanka stalwart Rangana Herath has dropped a big hint that he may call time on his international career come the end of the year.

The veteran slow left-arm spinner is building on preparations for a two-Test home series against South Africa starting tomorrow in Galle. Having turned 40 in March, Herath revealed his mind is not venturing past the series to come against South Africa and England in 2018.

“Following this South Africa series, there is another three months until the England series. For now, this is what I’ve planned for,” Herath told Sport24, as he braces for the 91st Test of his career.

“There comes a time for every cricketer, when they have to stop playing. I think that time has come for me.”

“I’m really glad I’ve been able to play as long as I have. But the most important thing is that of those 18 years, I wasn’t able to play for Sri Lanka for about seven of those years,” he said.

“I’m proud of what I was able to do in those seven years – the training I did, and the desire I had, especially,” he added.”

With a decision to make on his own terms, Herath’s last game for his country could possibly come on home soil in the T20 international that concludes the series against England on October 27.