Final Sri Lanka - Pakistan Test begins at the SSC on Monday:

Chaminda Vaas in line for a recall

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE

The Sri Lankan cricketers, now that they have won the Three Test series against Pakistan are likely to recall left arm medium pacer Chaminda Vaas for the Final Test against Pakistan beginning at the SSC ground on Monday.

Vaas who had been a faithful servant of Sri Lanka cricket for so many years had been missing from the national team in recent times and speculation was that he would quit the longer version of the game and concentrate on the shorter forms of the game.

A little bird whispers that the selectors, would like to play Vaas in a Test so that it could be a fond farewell for him. When Vaas failed to make it to the ICC World Cup Twenty20 in England and the First Two Tests against Pakistan, it looked as though it was the end of the road for him.

But if the selectors give him a go in the Test beginning on Monday, it should spur the great medium pacer who has performed successfully in all forms of the game, to show and prove that there is more cricket left in him by doing things with the ball and mesmerising the Pakistanis.

With Sri Lanka now two up in the series, the selectors would not be making many changes to the team that will play in the Test beginning tomorrow.

But if Vaas is to play there is the possibility that mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis would be benched. But all will depend after those who matter have a look at the wicket on the morning of the match.

Mendis has not been in the form that he should have been. Probably he is bending his back too much and looking for pace, rather than flight and spin to outthink the batsmen.

He had two of the Pakistani tailenders in two balls, but failed to take a wicket with the first ball of his next ball which would have given him a hat-trickin the second innings of the Second Test at the P. Sara Oval.