Longevity And A Name Longer Than His Run Up!
Chaminda Vaas who is Sri Lankan's only Fast Bowler to reach the milestone of 100 Test matches and the record holder in Men's ODI bowling, turns 51 years today.
He was known for taking wickets in the first over, especially in ODIs with his swing, and for having a name that's longer than his bowling run up! Today we speak about none other than Sri Lanka's Legendary Left Arm Pacer.
Born on a day like this with Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas started his schooling at St. Anthony's College Wattala before moving to Darley Road where he opened the bowling for St. Joseph's College, having also played against the Russel Arnold led Peterites in one occasion at the Battle of the Saints.
Attacking From The Start
He rose up the ranks as a fast bowler and made it into the national team soon after his 20th birthday. He did not pack a lot of pace that would trouble batters but he got the ball moving in the air which often resulted in many wickets in the first overs, especially in ODIs.
In fact, his hat trick against Bangladesh in the first three balls in an only occasion in cricket, followed by a 4th wicket in the same over which resulted in the most wickets taken in the opening over of an ODI!
A Long Career of 15 Years
As a left armer, he was heavily reliant on swing, line and length which made him a very consistent wicket taker who can bowl for long overs and without sustaining heavy injuries in his playing career of 15 years, showing remarkable longevity.
Chaminda Vaas with his family at his 111th and Final Test match
Among his most notable achievements are
1.) Playing more than 100 Test matches for Sri Lanka and is the only frontline fast bowler in this list of 6!
2.) He is also the first Sri Lankan fast bowler to take 10 wickets in a Test match
3.) With 761 wickets across all formats, he is only second to Muttiah Muralitharan in most wickets among Sri Lankan bowlers in international Cricket.
4.) Best bowling figures in Men's ODI (8/19 against Zimbabwe in 2004)
5.) Among 10 Test Cricketers to score over 3000 runs and take 350 wickets
Unfortunately, there is no replay due to the live telecast being cut by a power outrage. Do read this article on Chaminda Vaas' bowling in numbers (till 2005)
Life After Retirement
Post retirement, he played county cricket for Hampshire, Middlesex, Worcestershire and also Northamptonshire where he also succeeded as an Opening Batter and later served as a fast bowling coach for Sri Lanka and New Zealand in one instance.
Chaminda Vass overseeing the Fast Bowling unit of New Zealand
Would you like to see him bowl again? He is set to play at the International Master's League where the Sri Lanka team is led by Kumar Sangakkara alongside many others from his era. Here's to wishing the legend on his 51st birthday today!
Aging like fine wine!