Player Profile(#24)...Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)

Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas, (born 27 January 1974 in Mattumagala), usually known as Chaminda Vaas, is a Sri Lankan cricketer who is regarded as being the best fast bowler to come out of the country. According to Bill Frindall, scorer and statistician for BBC Radio's Test Match Special, Chaminda is actually his penultimate given name, therefore his initials should read WPUJC. In 2004 he gained recognition for his talent when he was selected for the World Test and one-day XI at the inaugural ICC Awards. He was once again selected for the World Test XI at the 2005 awards.

He is a left arm swing bowler. Vaas opens the bowling for Sri Lanka and is noted for his indipper. Also among his arsenal is an off cutter which is well disguised. Although his pace has dropped over the years, he has masterful control of line and length.

A past student of the prestigious St. Joseph's College in Colombo, he made his debut for the Sri Lankan cricket team in 1994. He made an impact in his first year of international cricket as he helped Sri Lanka to their maiden Test Match victory away from home, against New Zealand at Napier. Vaas took 5-47 in the first innings and 5-43 in the second.

In 2001-02 he took 26 wickets in a series win against the West Indies. This included a match haul of 14 wickets, a feat only achieved by two fast bowlers in the subcontinent, the other being Imran Khan. He was recently selected for the Afro Asia cup but dropped out due to county commitments.

On 26th June 2007 he made his maiden test century, playing against Bangladesh he hit 100 not out in a total of 577-6 declared in Colombo.

Chaminda Vaas is Sri Lanka's most successful fast bowler ever, having taken over 300 Test wickets. He has been the head of the Sri Lankan bowling attack for many years. He achieved his 300th wicket on December 12, 2005) against India, becoming just the second Sri Lankan bowler to do so, after Muttiah Muralitharan. He has also taken over 350 One Day International wickets, again only one of two Sri Lankans to do so. As of the 30th of March 2007 only 3 bowlers have taken more ODI wickets. His tally includes two hat tricks, the first against Zimbabwe which came in the middle of a devastating spell of 8 for 19, the best bowling figures in one-day internationals, Zimbabwe were dismissed for 38 which was the lowest score in one day internationals. The other hattrick came in the 2003 World Cup against Bangladesh and was achieved with the first three balls of the game.This had never before been seen in One Day International cricket.

Vaas is also a useful batsman down the order, and has reached 2500 Test runs, including 12 Test half-centuries and a century. Only 10 bowlers in Test history to have taken 200 wickets have scored more runs than Vaas.

As a fieldsman, he is noted for his strong arm.

See also:

Cricinfo Profile on Chaminda Vaas
Cricketarchive Profile on Chaminda Vaas



*Acknowledgements to Wikipedia.com, Cricinfo.com and owners of pictures and videos used.