Vaasi:The silent servant

By Marlon Fernandopulle

He may not have broken records like Sanath Jayasuriya or Muttiah Muralitharan. However over the last thirteen years or so his achievements in tests and one dayers and his contribution towards Sri Lanka Cricket as a whole has been phenomenal, only to be over shadowed by the Jayasuriyas and Muralitharans.

While playing for the under 11 team in his brothers cricket gear

Since making his debut in International Cricket as a 20 year old in 1994, Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas has remained the country’s opening bowler and spearhead it for over thirteen years. The accuracy and consistency with which he delivers every ball, together with his continuous success in picking up wickets has helped the 33 year old to maintain his position as the islands opening bowler for over a decade-without a break -- a feat which no other medium pacer has achieved in recent years and in all probabilities could be yet another record!

Taking over 300 wickets in tests and one-dayers is no ordinary task. For a medium pacer like Chaminda Vaas, that statistic means much more, considering the fact that most of his games have been played in Sri Lanka and the Sub-continent where the wickets are more favourable for the spinners – relatively slow, low and does not offer much life on it. Despite such conditions the Lankan left arm medium pacer has picked up over 700 wickets for his country in tests and one-dayers-which truly is a remarkable feat.
However more often than not Chaminda Vaas remains the ‘unsung hero’ of Sri Lanka Cricket’ or he could be named as one of ‘the back street boys’ of the game. And that is not surprising as that has been his nature and personality all his life -mild, soft spoken, shy and down to earth.

Brothers influence

Coming from a sporting family of five that comprised three boys and two girls, Chaminda’s passion for the game was stemmed from his elder brother Niranjan who was nine years his senior. Niranjan played junior cricket and first eleven cricket for St Anthony’s Wattala “During his early days Chaminda was a very keen observer and displayed an interest for Cricket. When he was around 8-9 years I took him to our College Coach Noel Jansz. The Coach was impressed with Chaminda’s bowling and batting skills and eventually Chaminda played in the Under 11 tournament where he was adjudged the best bowler of the tournament” quipped Niranjan in a conversation with The Sunday Times.

It was during this period that Chaminda also succeeded in the Grade five scholarship examinations and opted to move out of St Anthony’s and join St Joseph’s College, Colombo where his cricketing career took shape. From here on the youngster never looked back. “He worked really hard, never gave up and was committed to the game and I think that is what has made Chaminda what he is today”, added Lankan the fast bowler’s elder brother.

According to Niranjan, Chaminda was always a quiet soft spoken person. “He was always a very quiet kid at home and at school and did not talk much. However he had a circle of friends with whom he played softball cricket regularly. At that time softball cricket was very popular and his friends used to come as early as 5.30-6.00 to take Chaminda, who was very eager and keen to play softball cricket”

A devoted Catholic

Apart from his interest for cricket Chaminda was also a very devoted Roman Catholic. Born to Catholic parents and brought up under the shadow of the church in Nayakande, Hendala Chaminda was an alter server during his childhood days. He used to serve his church faithfully and participate in most of the retreats and church programmes.

In fact according to Niranjan Chaminda also developed an interest to become a Priest during his teenage years but eventually dropped the idea. However the Sri Lankan medium pacer who doesn’t fail to put the sign of the cross before he delivers the first ball still remains a strong believer in his Creator and is often seen at Church services.

With his two sisters on his 21st birthday.

“As an elder brother I am very proud of what he has done for our Country. Despite all his achievements and world record breaking feats Chaminda remains as the same simple, unassuming, down to earth person.

I am happy that Chaminda has remained as the simple person that he was even before all these achievements”, said Niranjan.

Chaminda Vaas who will be playing in his 100th test match in Australia is easily the most penetrative and successful new-ball bowler Sri Lanka has had, and he has served his country well. Be it swing, seam, bounce or pace the left armer has displayed everything a medium pacer can have in his armoury.

Lately he has developed the in-dipper, the off cutter and also the reverse swing. He has bowled Sri Lanka to many victories and that also includes Sri Lanka’s first test victory overseas in 1994/95 against New Zealand. At 33 plus Vaas may have lost a yard of pace or two; however his thirst to perform and pick up wickets remains the same. It is a known fact that Chaminda has the longest name among International Cricketers. Playing for over 13 years, will Chaminda be the longest serving International Medium pace bowler to play for his country?