Vaas - an ambassador for Sri Lanka cricket - Former Rector

Supun Perera

“It is monumental for a fast bowler to capture 400 one day scalps because it’s no easy task. The courage and the sheer dedication for the game of cricket has brought Chaminda Vaas this success,” observed Rev. Dr. Stanley Abeysekera the former Rector of St Joseph’s College Colombo at a thanksgiving mass held at Josephian Chapel, amongst a large and a distinguished gathering last Friday.

“The love and the passion is mandatory for an individual to achieve his ultimate goal. Vaas is an exemplary Josephian who stood firm be it in victory or defeat.

There is no doubt that Vaas is an Ambassador for Sri Lanka cricket,” concluded the former Rector who was also associated with Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe the Present Rector of the College and Vice Rector Rev. Fr. Sudath Goonetilleke, in celebrating this thanks giving Mass last Friday.

Prasan Leanage, who led the Darley Road school in 1989 is the present chairman of cricket advisory committee of St Joseph’s College in his speech admired Vaas’ contribution to the country’s cricket and love for his Alma Mater the place where he “cut his teeth” in this gentleman’s game. Leanage quoted the following records of this champion left arm seamer who is one of the four legendary cricketers to get 400 wickets.

The other three being Muttiah Muralitheran, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

Vaas is one of the four players to reach 2000 runs and 300 wickets in one day cricket. The others being our own Sanath Jayasuriya, Wasim Akram and Shaun Pollock.

One of the three players to get two hat-ricks along with Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq of Pakistan. Vaas has taken 81 wickets at home at an average of 27.51; 151 wickets away at 28.04 and 168 wickets in neutral venues at an average of 27.08.

In fact Murali and Vaas have been the mainstays of Sri Lanka cricket for past 15 years. They have played in 252 ODIs together and had shared 700 wickets amongst them. Murali has taken 388 wickets at 22.85 while Vaas 320 at 26.36.

In day games he has taken 215 wickets at an average of 24.98 and in day/night games 185 wickets at 30.49 of his 400 ODI wickets; 241 wickets comprise number 1 to 3 batsmen.

Vaas had dismissed Stephen Flemming 11 times in 29 matches, Saeed Anwar 11 times in 38 matches, Adam Gilchrist 10 in 27 matches, H. Gibbs 9 in 24 matches.

While S. Tendulkar 09 in 49 matches. He has dismissed 76 batsmen for ducks. Wasim Akram leads the way with 110.

Amongst the distinguished gathering were Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawardena, Chamara Silva, Michael Vandort, and Malintha Warnapura and former players of the calibre of Roshan Mahanama, Brian Obeysekera, Lalith De S. Wijeratne and Ajith Jayasekera to name a few.