Happy Birthday to Legendary Chaminda Vaas
Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas, the greatest fast bowler of Sri Lanka (1994–2009) turns out 47 today!
Happy birthday Legend!
He was born on 27 January 1974 in Wattala, Sri Lanka.
He is the second-highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka behind great Muttiah Muralitharan. He leads the fast bowling line-up for Sri Lanka for a long period of time alongside legendary Murali. One of the best and destructive duo. Even though his career was hidden with the performance of Murali, he silently continued his legacy.
Vaas had a simple action, not a high speedster. But he had the discipline and great control of the cricket ball. He is mainly concern about his line and length. So, accurate in that. Mr.consistent.
He had the ability to swinging and seaming the ball both sides. The late dipper was his iconic delivery. He was armoured with disguised offcutter , reverse-swing which were continuous wicket-taking for him. Even in subcontinental pitches, he could do this.
He also worked hard on his training and fitness. He has been rarely getting injured during his career.
There were a lot of guys more talented than me. My game was limited but I worked harder. Nothing comes easy to you, you have got to make the most of your talent” - Vaas
His other unique thing is being a headache at the start with the new ball. His first over wicket is a common thing those time. First and the only bowler to take a hattrick on the first three balls. And he is a kind of man who dismissed top-order batsmen mostly. You can see that with his statistics.
Graphical Analysis of Wickets Taken by Batting Order
Graphical Analysis of Wickets Taken by Batting Order
More than 80% of wickets are within 1-7 batsmen.
Vaas has also popular in dismissing the great Sachin Tendulkar. It was on 9 times, the most by any bowler in world cricket. Herschelle Gibbs and Chris Gayle had dismissed for ducks 7 times in International cricket. No other bowler has dismissed a single batsman for more ducks in International Cricket. Gibbs’s average against Vaas is 2.33 and that of Gayle is 6.50
Records and Achievements
Fourth highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket (400 wickets)
Best bowling performance in one-day international cricket (8/19), only eight-wicket haul in ODI cricket history.
The youngest bowler to take 300 wickets in ODI cricket
First and the only bowler to take a hatrick on the first three balls.
The highest wicket-taker of 2003 world cup.
Named in 2004, 2007 World ODI XI teams, 2004, 2005 World Test XI.
First bowler to take four wickets in an over.
Second player in ODI to score 2000+ runs and 400+ wickets.
Tribute to Chaminda Vaas
Career statistics
| Competition | Test | ODI | FC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | 111 | 322 | 227 |
| Runs scored | 3,089 | 2,025 | 6,223 |
| Batting average | 24.32 | 13.68 | 25.82 |
| 100s/50s | 1/13 | 0/1 | 4/ 29 |
| Balls bowled | 23,438 | 15,775 | 41,266 |
| Wickets | 355 | 400 | 772 |
| Bowling average | 29.58 | 27.53 | 24.64 |
| 5 wickets in innings | 12 | 4 | 34 |
| 10 wickets in match | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Best bowling | 7/71 | 8/19 | 7/28 |
| Catches/stumpings | 31 | 60 | 57 |
| Test debut | 26 August 1994 vs Pakistan | ||
| Last Test | 20 July 2009 vs Pakistan | ||
| ODI debut | 15 February 1994 vs India | ||
| Last ODI | 27 August 2008 vs India |
Here is a tribute for him from the youtube.
Thank you for reading and special thanks to @steemcurator01 and @steemcurator02 for the continuous support!
Thank You!
Best Regards!