Vaas vows to bounce back

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Sri Lanka’s premier fast bowler Chaminda Vaas vowed to bounce back and represent the country in one day internationals and Twenty20 cricket soon after having played his last Test match against Pakistan at the SSC ground in Maitland Place yesterday.

The left arm seamer announced that he is determined to make his presence felt in the shorter version of the game and would work hard to achieve his goal in the coming days. He believed that he made the correct decision by retiring at this moment having served the team for a period of 16 long years.

Vaas said that he has no regrets for making such a decision and hoped that the up and coming fast bowlers would take a leaf from his bowling and perform well in their future assignments. He said that players like Nuwan Kulasekera, Thilan Thushara and Lasith Malinga are bright prospects having already made their presence felt in the international scene.

Vaas also paid tribute to his first coach late Noel Jansz and Carlton Bernardus who had guided him during his school days to reach great heights.

He commended the valuable advice given by all former captains, players and coaches in the Sri Lankan team.

Vaas recalled the excellent performance of capturing 14 wickets in a test match against the West Indies at home was one of his memorable occasions in addition to his feat at Napier where he guided Sri Lanka to their first ever triumph overseas against New Zealand.

Vaas said that he enjoyed bowling with the champion off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan where this combination have fashioned many victories in both forms of the game.

He believed that Muralitharan was able to pick up so much of wickets because of his tidiness and accuracy from the other end.

Vaas said that this is a special moment for him after playing for 15 long years and would like to thank all the cricket lovers for supporting him throughout his career.

He was presented with a memento and a cash award of Rs. one million for his contribution to Sri Lanka cricket.