Vaas targets 2011 World Cup
CRICKET: Sri Lanka’s most experienced opening bowler says he
has no plans to retire until the next Cricket World Cup.
Chaminda Vaas, who was a member of the 1996 team that won the World
Cup believes he might be able to play in 2011 World Cup, to be played in
the sub-continent.
“2011, I think I will be able to play but everything depend upon my
fitness,” the veteran new-ball bowler told BBC Sandeshaya.
Other two veterans who played in 1996 World Cup, Sanath Jayasuriya
and Muttiah Muralitharan, have also ruled out setting deadlines to
retire from the game.
“I am maintaining a good fitness at the moment and I’d rather focus
on year by year than a long period”, Vaas said.
2011, I think I will be able to play but everything depend upon my
fitness.
“However, I think I will be able to play in 2011, if I maintain my
current level of fitness”.
Vass is currently playing with Middlesex County in England where he
sustained a head injury last week.
“Courtney Walsh and Ambrose for example, played until they were 38,”
he said commenting on the former West Indies’ giants.
Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas, who was
briefly appointed as Sri Lanka’s vice captain replacing Mahela
Jayawardene, says he has no regrets whatsoever in his 13-year long
career.
The veteran bowler with 313 Test victims and 383 ODI wickets for his
name, says he has achieved what many other fast bowlers in the
subcontinent did not manage.
My record as a subcontinent bowler speaks for itself. I think I have
achieved a lot in my cricketing career for which I am very proud of.
“My record as a subcontinent bowler speaks for itself.
I think I have achieved a lot in my cricketing career for which I am
very proud of,” he told bbcsinhala.com.
Becoming only the second fast bowler, after Imran Khan, to take 14
wickets in a match in the subcontinent taking the first-ever ODI
eight-for, against Zimbabwe are among his many achievements.
His achievements though are being overshadowed due to the presence of
Muttiah Muralitharan, arguably the best bowler Sri Lanka has ever
produced.
Vaas, who wanted to be a Catholic priest before becoming a cricketing
hero, is philosophical on his ups and downs in the field. “I have no
regrets whatsoever”.
(BBC) |