Chaminda Vaas – Profile:
| Name | Chaminda Vaas |
|---|---|
| Player Type | Left-arm fast-medium bowler, Left-handed batsman |
| Date of Birth | January 27, 1974 |
| Father’s Name | Lokus Vaas |
| Birthplace | Mattumagala, Sri Lanka |
| Career Start | November 10, 1994 |
| Retirement Date | March 16, 2009 |
| Matches Played | 322 (ODIs), 111 (Tests), 6 (T20Is) |
| Centuries | 2 (ODIs), 0 (Tests), 0 (T20Is) |
| Half Centuries | 11 (ODIs), 4 (Tests), 0 (T20Is) |
| Ducks | 31 (ODIs), 24 (Tests), 0 (T20Is) |
| Nervous Nineties | 3 (ODIs), 1 (Tests), 0 (T20Is) |
| Wickets | 400 (ODIs), 355 (Tests), 8 (T20Is) |
| Captainship | 18 (ODIs), 0 (Tests), 0 (T20Is) |
| Man of the Matches | 11 (ODIs), 6 (Tests), 0 (T20Is) |
Biography:
Chaminda Vaas, born on January 27, 1974, in Mattumagala, Sri Lanka, is a former left-arm fast-medium bowler and a capable left-handed batsman. He made his debut in international cricket on November 10, 1994, and eventually bid farewell on March 16, 2009. Over the course of his career, Vaas played 322 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), 111 Test matches, and 6 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), leaving an indelible mark on Sri Lankan cricket.
Vaas was renowned for his ability to swing the ball both ways and extract movement off the pitch. He reached incredible milestones as a bowler, claiming 400 wickets in ODIs and 355 wickets in Test matches. His effectiveness with the ball, especially during the early overs, made him a formidable force in the world of cricket.
Despite being primarily known for his bowling, Chaminda Vaas displayed his batting prowess on occasion, scoring two centuries and 11 half-centuries in ODIs and four half-centuries in Test matches.
While his cricketing journey saw remarkable achievements, Vaas also experienced the occasional challenge of falling short in the “Nervous Nineties,” yet he still managed to convert some of them into three-figure scores.
Although he occasionally captained the Sri Lankan team in ODIs, his leadership opportunities were limited. Nevertheless, his performances as a player consistently earned him Man of the Match awards, highlighting his impact on various games.
World Records:
Below are some of the notable world records held by Chaminda Vaas in each format:
One-Day Internationals (ODIs):
| Record | Number |
|---|---|
| Most wickets taken in a single World Cup | 23 |
| Best figures in the first 15 overs of an ODI | 5/14 |
Test Matches:
| Record | Number |
|---|---|
| Best bowling figures in Test cricket (1st innings) | 9/51 |
T20 Internationals (T20Is):
| Record | Number |
|---|---|
| Best figures by a Sri Lankan bowler in T20Is | 4/29 |
Brand Endorsements:
Chaminda Vaas’s contributions to Sri Lankan cricket and his popularity made him an appealing figure for brand endorsements. Though not as extensively involved in the commercial world as some other cricketers, he still served as a brand ambassador for a few local and international brands. His genuine and down-to-earth persona resonated well with audiences, making him a respected representative for the products he endorsed.
In conclusion, Chaminda Vaas’s illustrious career as a left-arm fast-medium bowler and his occasional batting exploits have earned him a lasting place in Sri Lankan cricket history. His records and achievements on the field, along with his endorsement roles off the field, have contributed to his status as one of Sri Lanka’s cricketing icons.