Chaminda Vaas

Deshabandu Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas (born 27 January 1974), usually known as Chaminda Vaas, is a former Sri Lankan cricketer regarded as the best fast bowler to have come out of the country.

Vaas has been described as the 'most penetrative and successful new-ball bowler Sri Lanka has produced'. In 2004 he gained international recognition 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. As of 22 February 2015, only 3 bowlers have taken more ODI wickets than Vaas.

Vaas retired from all international cricket on 27 August 2008 with the ODI against India and ended the fourteen year great service in cricket.

Career highlights

A graduate of the prestigious boy's school in Colombo, St. Joseph's College, Colombo, Vaas made his first class debut for Colts Cricket Club against Galle Cricket Club in December 1990 aged 16. Nearly 4 years later, after just 13 first class matches, he made his Test debut for the Sri Lankan cricket team against Pakistan at Kandy in August 1994. Within his first year in the national side, he made a great impact guiding Sri Lanka to their maiden Test Match away victory against New Zealand at Napier, taking 5–47 & 5–43 and scoring 33 & 36 and being nominated Man of the Match.