| Vaas
- the unsung hero of Sri Lanka Cricket
He may not have the speed of Shoaib Akhtar or Bret Lee nor the height
of Glen Mcgrath or Steve Harmison but his accuracy and consistency
with the new ball has brought rich dividends for himself and his
country. With an accumulated tally of nearly 600 wickets in tests
and one dayers, Chaminda Vaas stands head and shoulders above the
current day fast bowlers.
Considering
the fact that the 29 year old plays the majority of his cricket
on dusty, bone-dry wickets in the sub continent where his achievements
are phenomenal. This fact was amplified by the ICC when Vaas was
included in both the world test and one-day team that was selected
a few months ago.
The
simple, shy and unassuming character that he is, has led to him
leading a relatively low profile life. Unlike the flamboyant Muralitharans,
Jayasuriyas and the Atapattus Chaminda Vaas remains as Sri Lanka
Cricket's unsung hero. The Sunday Times caught up with Vaas as he
was preparing for the tour of New Zealand. Excerpts from the interview
follows.
Q:
How and at what age did you get attracted to the game?
I first started playing when I was around eight years.
I used to play softball cricket at home with my brothers. Gradually
I developed a love for the game. My first hard ball game was for
my school St Anthony's Wattala in an under 13 game against St Mary's
Negombo in 1984. It was a dream game for me as I opened the bowling
and took 13 wickets in that game. In addition I also opened the
batting for my school.
Q:
Can you recall some of your performances at school?
In 1984 I came to St Joseph's Colombo. After playing for
one more year in the Under 13 I played in the Under 15 age group.
At St Joseph's for some reason or another I neglected my batting
and concentrated mainly on my bowling. We went on to win the Under
15 championship and the Under 17 tournament as well. After playing
in the under 15 tournament I played in the first eleven team. In
my first big match against St Peter's I batted at number eleven
and held on for almost 2 ½ hours with Roshan Manikavasagar
to force a draw. However in the limited overs game that year we
beat St Peters and I took three wickets.
Q:
When did you start playing for Colts?
Soon after playing the under 15 season my coach Carlton
Bernadus wanted me to join the Colts Cricket Club. I joined Colts
and played my first sara game under Angelo Liyanage.
Q:
You first made your One-day debut, can you recall the events leading
upto your debut?
I was playing in the division two tournament for Colts
in 1993/94. But during the season I was forced to play in the division
one games after Dulip Liyanage was called up to play for Sri Lanka.
In my first season for Colts I took 42 wickets in seven games.
After
performing well for Colts everyone said that I would be included
in the Sri Lanka team to tour India in 1993/94. However when the
squad was selected I was only a stand by. It was a bit of a disappointment.
However I did not get disheartened. I thought that I must work harder.
But
after the test matches in India Dulip Liyanage was injured and I
was asked to join the team for the one dayers. I played in the first
one dayer at Rajkolt. I was overjoyed that day. For a moment I couldn't
believe that I was playing for Sri Lanka. Yes, I was very nervous
when Arjuna gave me the new ball that day. But I am very happy to
say that my first three overs were maidens and I also got my first
ODI wicket and that was Navjot Sidhu.
Q:
And how about your test debut?
It was not easy to play a test match. At that time the
selectors were of the view that I lacked sufficient pace and it
was not the right time. In fact I played 32 ODI's before finally
making my test debut which was against Pakistan in the third test
match in Kandy. We lost that game by an innings and I went wicketless
after 22 overs. I had the wicket of Asif Mustaba, but it was off
a no ball. It was in Zimbabwe that I got my first test wicket and
that was of Grant Flower.
Q:
Unlike most fast bowlers your career has not been plagued by injury.
What's the secret?
I emphasize a lot on my fitness and training. I think
as fast bowler you have to work a lot harder, so you must be fully
fit and stick to your diets and physical fitness schedule. I train
even during the off-season. I think it's all about self-discipline
and looking after yourself. I have not had any major injuries except
during 1998 when I had an ankle operation and was out of cricket
for a bout six months.
Q:
You played a major role in Sri Lanka's first test victory abroad.
Any memories of that historic game?
That is a test match that I will never forget. It was
in Napier. It was one of the best tests that I have played. We waited
quite some time for that moment and I was very happy to be part
of that team. I was also happy that I took a match bag of 10 wickets.
In fact that was my first ten-wicket haul.
Q:
How frustrated do you get when you do not get wickets. And how do
you overcome such a situation?
At times you get frustrated and disappointed when wickets
are not coming. But I think with experience you can get over such
situations. As test cricketers you must have a lot of patience and
wait for the right moment. perseverance is a must. You must keep
trying and always put the ball in the right place, and then you
are bound to get rewarded.
Q:
What's your opinion regarding the wickets prepared in Sri Lanka?
In Sri Lanka we generally prepare wickets to suit Muralitharan
because he is our main bowler. And so you cannot complain. But as
fast bowlers we should be able to bowl on any type of wicket although
I love good fast, bouncy tracks.
Q:
How do you adjust to wickets in the sub-continent and wickets in
other parts of the world?
It's all about bowling the correct length. In the sub
continent you have to bowl at a particular length. When you have
to bowl in pitches in Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand
you need to change that length.
Q:
To whom do you turn for advice when you need it?
In the past it has been Rumesh Ratnayake while at present
it is Champaka Ramanayake. I am really happy to have Champaka as
our bowling coach.
Q:
Any changes that you have made lately?
I have made a few changes to my run up, arm movements
and follow through lately on Champaka’s advice. I must say
that it has worked very well.
Q:
What would you like to achieve before you hang up your boots?
I would love to achieve a lot more. But for the moment
I am aiming at 300 test wickets and 400 one-day wickets and I hope
to go on until 2007.
Q:
How much effort have you put into your batting?
I have been concentrating a lot on my batting. I have
been batting a lot these days at the nets. I would love to improve
on my best test score and go on to make a hundred. Before I finish
my career I want to have at least 2 to 3 centuries.
Q:
Do you seek the assistance of any players?
I seek assistance from Sanga (Kumar Sangakkara) a lot.
At my club it is Romesh, Jeevantha and Chaminda Mendis who help
me in my batting.
Q:
You always put the sign of the cross before you start bowling. Can
you tell us something about your affinity towards the church?
From my childhood days I have been a devout catholic.
I used to spend my school holidays in the Mattakkkuliya seminary
that is run by the O M I priests. In fact I had an idea of becoming
a priest at that time. I also served as an alter server in the Nayakakanda
Church when I was a kid. I still continue going to church especially
on a Friday and Sunday.
Q:
How is it to be away from home for Christmas?
It's one of those sacrifices a cricketer has to make.
I have been away from home for Christmas on many occasions. The
last time was two years ago when we were touring Australia. However
during that time my family was with me. I expect my family to be
in New Zealand for Christmas this year. |
