Chaminda Vaas

Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Natesh Ramesh Hasanka Gerald Joseph Chaminda Vaas is an international cricketer who played the game tremendously well. He was a former ODI captain who was the greatest fast-medium bowler Sri Lanka ever had. Known for his accurate line lengths and capability of swinging the ball, he is the only bowler to take an 8-wicket haul in ODIs. 

On various occasions, he has single-handedly won plenty of matches for his team. Undoubtedly he was one of the best new bowlers who played in all formats of the game for Sri Lanka. Post-retirement, Vaas has also mentored the Sri Lankan team as a bowling coach.

Personal Information

Born: 27 January 1974 Years Active: 1994–2009
Height: 5’10 Batting Style: Left-handed
Nickname: Vasy Nationality: Sri Lanka
Birth Place: Wattala, Sri Lanka Role: Opening Bowler, Left arm fast-medium
Bowling Style:Left-arm fast-medium  

Chaminda Vaas’s Journey

Family

Chaminda Vaas married Wasana in 1999 and the couple has three children, a daughter, and two sons.

First Appearance

Chaminda Vaas made his debut at the age of 16. After leaving school, he was part of the Colts Cricket Club debuting against Galle Cricket Club. Luckily he played well and had a good impression on everyone. 

Because of his splendid performance, he was chosen as a test player to play for the international Sri Lankan team. His first international ODI was in 1994 against India where he took one wicket and gave 40 runs.

Ascend to Glory

In a very short time span, Vaas rose to prominence. In the first year of his debut, he guided the team to their maiden test win against New Zealand. During the match, he took 5 wickets by giving 47 runs and 5 wickets 43 runs. In addition to this, he scored 33 and 36 runs in the two innings respectively. This was the reason why he was declared Man of the Match.

In the next match (his sixth test), he took 5 wickets and grabbed the Man of the Match title once again. Very early, he became a permanent player of the Sri Lankan team.

Low Point

A few days after he had been appointed as the Sri Lankan fast bowling coach in 2021, he resigned from the position with immediate effect. This is because SLC accused him of holding the game at ransom.

Vaas’s Record

Vaas is Sri Lanka’s one of the most successful pace bowlers who took 355 Test wickets from 111 tests. He was the new ball attacker for over a decade. On 12 December 2005, he achieved his 300th test wicket while playing against India. This record booked history as he became one of the three Sri Lankan bowlers to pass this milestone including Murlidharan and Rangana Hearth.

 

Chaminda Vaas has taken 400 ODI wickets. His amazing partnership with Muralitharan 

Is still considered one of international cricket's most productive bowling duos.

 

He also holds the record for the best bowling performance in IDU with 8 for 19 off eight overs during a match against Zimbabwe in 2001. Vaas also has a record for the fastest five wickets in ODIs. Besides this, he has taken two ha-tricks during his career.

Retirement

Chaminda Vaas announced his retirement in 2009 from Test cricket. Later he took retirement from all Crickety formats. But he still remained associated with cricket post-retirement.

He mentored the New Zealand team in 2012 and taught the fast bowlers how to bowl. In the following year, he was appointed the bowling coach for Sri Lanka.

For a short time span, he was also the coach for the Ireland team and was re-hired as a consultant for Sri Lanka.

Career Statistics

Chaminda Vaas has been one of the most successful Sri Lankan players who was popular for his swings and seams the ball with skill, his trademark delivery being the late indipper.

ODI
Matches: 322 Average: 13.68
100/50: 0/1 Total Runs: 2025
Top Score: 50 Wickets: 400
T20
Matches: 6 Average: 33.0
100/50: 0/0 Total Runs: 33
Top Score: 21 Wickets: 6
Test
Matches: 111 Average: 24.32
100/50: 1/13 Total Runs: 3089
Top Score: 100 Wickets: 355

Image Gallery

Chaminda Vaas’s Cricket Glimpses