View source for Chaminda Vaas

{{short description|Sri Lankan cricketer}}
{{Use Sri Lankan English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox cricketer
|    honorific_prefix = [[Deshabandu]]
|                name = Chaminda Vaas
|               image = Chaminda_Vaas.jpg
|             caption = Vaas with Sri Lanka, December 2007
|             country = Sri Lanka
|            fullname = Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas
|            nickname = Vasy 
|          birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|01|27|df=yes}}
|         birth_place = [[Wattala]], Sri Lanka
|            heightcm = 178
|             batting = Left-handed
|             bowling = Left-arm [[fast bowling|fast medium]]
|                role = [[Bowler (cricket)|Bowler]] 
|       international = true
|   internationalspan = 1994–2009
|       testdebutdate = 26 August
|       testdebutyear = 1994
|    testdebutagainst = Pakistan
|             testcap = 62
|        lasttestdate = 20 July
|        lasttestyear = 2009
|     lasttestagainst = Pakistan
|        odidebutdate = 15 February
|        odidebutyear = 1994
|     odidebutagainst = India
|              odicap = 75
|         lastodidate = 27 August
|         lastodiyear = 2008
|      lastodiagainst = India
|            odishirt = 22 
|       T20Idebutdate = 22 December
|       T20Idebutyear = 2006
|    T20Idebutagainst = New Zealand
|             T20Icap = 15
|        lastT20Idate = 20 September
|        lastT20Iyear = 2007
|     lastT20Iagainst = Australia
|               club1 = [[Colts Cricket Club]]
|               year1 = {{nowrap|1990–2012}}
|               club2 = [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]]
|               year2 = 2003
|               club3 = [[Uva cricket team|Uva]]
|               year3 = 2004
|               club4 = [[Worcestershire County Cricket Club|Worcestershire]]
|               year4 = 2005
|               club5 = [[Middlesex County Cricket Club|Middlesex]]
|               year5 = 2007
|               club6 = [[Deccan Chargers]]
|               year6 = 2008–2010
|               club7 = [[Northamptonshire County Cricket Club|Northamptonshire]]
|               year7 = 2010–2012
|         clubnumber7 = 6
|          
|             columns = 4
|             column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
|            matches1 = 111
|               runs1 = 3,089
|            bat avg1 = 24.32
|           100s/50s1 = 1/13
|          top score1 = 100[[not out|*]]
|         deliveries1 = 23,438
|            wickets1 = 355
|           bowl avg1 = 29.58
|            fivefor1 = 12
|             tenfor1 = 2
|       best bowling1 = 7/71
|  catches/stumpings1 = 31/–
|             column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
|            matches2 = 322
|               runs2 = 2,025
|            bat avg2 = 13.68
|           100s/50s2 = 0/1
|          top score2 = 50[[not out|*]]
|         deliveries2 = 15,775
|            wickets2 = 400
|           bowl avg2 = 27.53
|            fivefor2 = 4
|             tenfor2 = 0
|       best bowling2 = 8/19
|  catches/stumpings2 = 60/–
|             column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
|            matches3 = 227
|               runs3 = 6,223
|            bat avg3 = 25.82
|           100s/50s3 = 4/29
|          top score3 = 134
|         deliveries3 = 41,266
|            wickets3 = 772
|           bowl avg3 = 24.64
|            fivefor3 = 34
|             tenfor3 = 4
|       best bowling3 = 7/28
|  catches/stumpings3 = 57/–
|             column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
|            matches4 = 412
|               runs4 = 3,220
|            bat avg4 = 16.59
|           100s/50s4 = 0/8
|          top score4 = 76[[not out|*]]
|         deliveries4 = 19,411
|            wickets4 = 506
|           bowl avg4 = 26.63
|            fivefor4 = 4
|             tenfor4 = 0
|       best bowling4 = 8/19
|  catches/stumpings4 = 83/–
|medaltemplates=<!--MENTION HOST NATIONS FOR TEAM SPORTS-->
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{SRI}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Cricket World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1996 Cricket World Cup|1996 India-Pakistan-Sri Lanka]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007 West-Indies]]|}}
|                date = 24 December
|                year = 2016
|              source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/50804.html ESPNcricinfo
}}

[[Deshabandu]] '''Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas''' (born 27 January 1974) is a former Sri Lankan international [[cricket]]er who represented the [[Sri Lanka national cricket team]].  He is a fast medium pace bowler and regarded as one of the greatest bowlers from Sri Lanka and one of the most successful bowlers in international cricket. He was a part of the Sri Lankan squad which won the [[1996 Cricket World Cup]], and the [[2002 ICC Champions Trophy]].

In 2004 Vaas gained international recognition when he was selected for the [[ICC Test Team of the Year|World Test]] and one-day XI at the [[2004 ICC Awards|inaugural]] [[ICC Awards]]. He was again selected for the World Test XI in 2005. In his fifteen-year international career, he was relatively free of injury.

He has set a number of national and international records as a bowler.<ref>{{cite news|title=The painful story behind the making of a fast bowler|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120205/Sports/sunday_Musings.html|work=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)|The Sunday Times]]|date=5 February 2012}}</ref><ref name="NYT2009"/>  Vaas currently holds the record for the best bowling figures in ODI history, and is the only bowler to take an 8-wicket haul in ODIs. As of 11 February 2022, only 3 bowlers have taken more ODI wickets than Vaas.<ref name="stats.espncricinfo.com">{{cite web|title=Records / One-Day Internationals / Bowling records / Most wickets in career
|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283193.html|work=ESPNcricinfo| access-date = 11 October 2016}}</ref> He is the youngest bowler to take 300 wickets in ODI cricket.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/1061149.html | title = Ask Steven – Youngest to reach wickets' milestiones | work = ESPNcricinfo | access-date = 11 October 2016}}</ref> Vaas was also the first Sri Lankan to take a [[Hat-trick (cricket)|hat-trick]] in the [[One Day International|ODI]] format of the game which he did in 2001 against Zimbabwe, and at a [[Cricket World Cup]], which he did against Bangladesh in the [[2003 Cricket World Cup|2003 tournament]]. His World Cup hat-trick was also the first one taken during the first three deliveries of an innings.  Vaas has one of the longest names among international cricketers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-12-23|title=Top 25 long names in Sri Lankan cricket|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/criclife/top-25-long-names-in-sri-lankan-cricket-497934|access-date=2021-12-30|website=Cricket Country|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Domestic career==

Vaas joined [[Colts Cricket Club]] after leaving school<ref name="Nation2009"/> and made his first-class debut against [[Galle Cricket Club]] in December 1990 aged 16. He joined [[Middlesex County Cricket Club]] for the 2007 cricket season as an overseas player. At the inaugural [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL) in 2008 he was picked by  [[Deccan Chargers]] on a contract worth $200,000. He played 4 matches for the Deccan Chargers team and picked 4 wickets at an average of 26.61. In 2009 he played some matches in P.Sen trophy for [[Mohun Bagan A.C. (cricket)|Mohun Bagan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/sports/vaas-dilshan-to-turn-out-for-mohun-bagan_16644.html|title=Vaas, Dilshan to turn out for Mohun Bagan|date=2009-01-12|website=Zee News|language=en|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref> He also joined [[Northamptonshire County Cricket Club]] for the 2010 T20 competition and found himself in the unusual position of opening the batting although he did well recording three half centuries. He subsequently signed a contract to join Northants for the entire 2011 and 2012 seasons. At the end of 2011 he was named their 'Player of the season' following a great all-round performance, having topped the bowling averages by taking 70 first-class wickets at an average of 21.44 apiece and also scoring 403 runs at an average of 26.9.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chaminda Vaas claims Northants' top player award|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/counties/northamptonshire/9601259.stm|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=27 September 2011}}</ref> Vaas was released by Northants at the end of the 2012 season due to persistent injury problems throughout the year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Northamptonshire release Chaminda Vaas|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2012/content/story/582916.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=19 September 2012}}</ref>

==International career==
===Early years===
Nearly 4 years after his [[First-class cricket|first-class]] debut, after just 13 matches, Vaas made his Test debut for the [[Sri Lankan cricket team]] against [[Pakistan]] at [[Kandy]] in August 1994. Within his first year in the national side, he made a great impact guiding Sri Lanka to their maiden [[test cricket|Test Match]] away [[Sri Lankan cricket team in New Zealand in 1994–95|victory]] against [[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]] at [[Napier, New Zealand|Napier]], taking 5–47 & 5–43 and scoring 33 & 36 and being nominated Man of the Match.<ref name=saga>{{cite news|title=The Vaas saga|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160103/sports/the-vaas-saga-177302.html|work=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)|The Sunday Times]]|date=3 January 2016|access-date=9 January 2016}}</ref> In the second test at Dunedin, only his sixth Test, he took his third [[five-wicket haul]] and was again named Man of the Match.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kiwis assailed by Vaas|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket-kiwis-assailed-by-vaas-1612187.html|work=[[The Independent]]|date=21 March 1995}}</ref>

He was a regular member of the ODI side during the 1996 World Cup, playing in all six matches including the Final, where Sri Lanka defeated Australia to become world champions for the first time.<ref name=saga/>

===Record breaking===
In 2001–02, he took 26 wickets in a [[West Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2001–02|series]] win against the [[West Indies]] at home. This included one match-haul of 14 wickets in the third test,<ref>{{cite news|title=Chaminda Vaas conjures up Houdini-like recovery|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/107025.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=30 November 2001}}</ref> a feat only achieved by two fast bowlers in the subcontinent, the other being [[Imran Khan]]. At the [[2003 Cricket World Cup]], held in South Africa, Vaas picked up 23 wickets, becoming the leading wicket taker in the tournament. This included a best of 6–25 against [[Bangladesh]], where Vaas also took a [[Hat-trick (cricket)|hat-trick]] with the first three deliveries of the Bangladesh innings. It is the first time in Test or one-day history that a bowler has taken a hat-trick with the first three balls of a game.<ref>{{cite news|title=Inspired Vaas destroys Bangladesh|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/cwc2003/hi/newsid_2750000/newsid_2756800/2756813.stm|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=15 February 2003}}</ref>

In August 2004, he took six wickets in the second innings at the SSC to deliver Sri Lanka their first-ever series win over South Africa by handing out a comprehensive thrashing. Along with rookie fast bowler [[Lasith Malinga]], a canny Vaas exploited conditions far better than the visitors and in the fourth innings the pair terrorised South Africa's batsmen.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Sri Lanka vs South Africa 2nd Test 2004 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-tour-of-sri-lanka-2004-61853/sri-lanka-vs-south-africa-2nd-test-64098/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-06-16|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>

In July 2005, Vaas completed another excellent contest against West Indies, taking 13 wickets in a 2-0 drubbing to become Man of the Series.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=West Indies in Sri Lanka Test Series, 2005 Cricket Team Records & Stats |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=2551&type=series|access-date=2021-06-16|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

In December 2005, he reached the 300-wicket milestone in Tests against India.<ref name=":0" />

For his performances in 2004 and 2005, he was named in the World Test XI by ICC.<ref name="espncricinfo.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rahul-dravid-is-the-icc-s-player-of-the-year-143090|title=Rahul Dravid is the ICC's player of the year|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref> He was also named in the [[ICC ODI Team of the Year]] in 2004 and 2007.<ref name="espncricinfo.com"/>

===Captaincy===
He had the rare opportunity to captain Sri Lankan ODI team in 2006, which was restricted to only one match.

===Through ranks===
One of Vaas' more memorable contributions as a tailender was during the [[Sri Lankan cricket team in England in 2006|2006 Test series in England]], when he and [[Nuwan Kulasekara]]'s steady defence of the ninth wicket, in spite of on-and-off interruptions by rainy weather, held the home side to a draw in the first test.<ref>{{cite news|title=Defiant Sri Lanka thwart England|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/4772821.stm|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=15 May 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Leading from the tail|url=http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/776219/leading-from-the-tail|work=The Cricket Monthly|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=September 2014|first=Sharda|last=Ugra}}</ref> Vaas scored a half century [[not out]] in the second innings.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gloomy skies and a resolute tail defy England|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/engvsl/content/story/247254.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=15 May 2006}}</ref> Although losing the second test, Sri Lanka won the third test and went on to [[Whitewash (sport)|whitewash]] England in the subsequent [[NatWest Series|ODI series]].

On 26 June 2007 at Colombo, he made his maiden test century against Bangladesh when he scored 100 not out in a total of 577–6 declared. This occurred in his 97th Test Match, which at the time was a record for the most number of Tests before scoring a maiden century (since overtaken by [[Anil Kumble]]).<ref>{{cite news|title=The waiting game|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/cricket/sport/story/106140.html|work=ESPN.co.uk|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=16 August 2011|first=Steven|last=Lynch}}</ref> Soon after in November 2007, Vaas played his 100th Test match against England, in what was also [[Sanath Jayasuriya]]'s final Test match for Sri Lanka. During the historic [[Sri Lankan cricket team in the West Indies in 2007–08|2007–08 tour of the West Indies]], Sri Lanka's first ever Test win on Caribbean soil, he took twelve wickets overall and was also named Man of the Match of the first test.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka create history in the Caribbean|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wivsl/content/story/344105.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=26 March 2008}}</ref> He notably [[Dismissal (cricket)|dismiss]]ed all-rounder [[Chris Gayle]] for a record seventh time in as many tests,<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics / / Test matches: batsmen dismissed|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/50804.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling;view=batsman_summary|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> bowling him out for a [[Duck (cricket)|duck]] during the first test.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gayle and his struggle against Vaas|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/344223.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=28 March 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=You're my series bunny|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/626137.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=22 March 2013|first=S|last=Rajesh}}</ref>

===Late career===
On 27 August 2008, Vaas bowled [[Yuvraj Singh]] for a duck in his final ODI match, the fourth match of the [[Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2008|ODI series against India]], to achieve his milestone 400th ODI wicket. He joined [[Wasim Akram]], [[Waqar Younis]] and his teammate [[Muttiah Muralitharan]] as only the fourth bowler in international cricket to have taken 400 ODI wickets.<ref name="Cricinfo2008">{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka's untiring workhorse|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/slvind/content/story/366601.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=28 August 2008|first=Mathew|last=Varghese}}</ref>

He retired from Test Cricket after the 3rd Test against Pakistan in July 2009.<ref name="Chaminda Vaas to retire from Tests ">{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/slvpak2009/content/current/story/415116.html|title=Chaminda Vaas to retire from Tests |date=19 July 2009|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=24 July 2009}}</ref><ref name="Nation2009">{{cite news|title=The genteel fast bowler says Goodbye|url=http://www.nation.lk/2009/07/26/sports8.htm|work=[[The Nation (Sri Lanka)|The Nation]]|date=26 July 2009}}</ref>

==Playing style==
Vaas was a left arm [[Swing bowling|swing]] bowler known for his accuracy and consistent [[line and length]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Mid-Wicket Tales: From Trumper to Tendulkar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IPwjBAAAQBAJ|first1=S|last1=Giridhar|first2=V. J.|last2=Raghunath|publisher=[[SAGE Publications]]|date=2014|page=118|isbn = 9789351500902}}</ref><ref name="Lillee">{{cite book|title=Dennis Lillee — The Autobiography: Menace|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qJWWBAAAQBAJ|first=Dennis|last=Lillee|author-link=Dennis Lillee|publisher=[[Headline Publishing Group]]|date=2003|isbn = 9781472227010}}</ref><ref name="Cricinfo2015"/> which his former captain [[Aravinda de Silva]] once described as "accurate, nagging, hard to get away".<ref name="Guardian2007">{{cite news|title=Vaas steps out of the shadows|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/dec/23/cricket.englandcricketseries|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=23 December 2007|first=Aravinda|last=de Silva|author-link=Aravinda de Silva}}</ref> Early in his career he stood out for his raw pace.<ref name="Cricinfo2015">{{cite news|title=A bowler should be like a managing director of a company|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/943191.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=26 November 2015}}</ref> Due to his accuracy with the new ball he would be tasked with opening the bowling, as illustrated by the number of times he dismissed important higher and middle order batsmen such as [[Adam Gilchrist]], [[Ricky Ponting]], [[Sachin Tendulkar]], [[Sourav Ganguly]] and [[Stephen Fleming]].<ref name="NYT2009">{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka Fast Bowler Bows Out|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/27/sports/cricket/27iht-CRICKETweb.html?_r=1|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=27 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics / / One-Day Internationals: batsmen dismissed|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/50804.html?class=2;template=results;type=bowling;view=batsman_summary|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> He became noted for his [[inswinger]] and well-disguised [[off cutter]] and, as his pace dropped over the years, later added [[reverse swing]] to his armoury.<ref name="Independent2002">{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka rely on quickie with a wicket streak|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/sri-lanka-rely-on-quickie-with-a-wicket-streak-9210580.html|work=[[The Independent]]|date=12 May 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Vaas swings into town|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/srilanka/3027766/Vaas-swings-into-town.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=15 May 2002}}</ref><ref name="Telegraph2006">{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka's hopes rest on new-ball incisions by Vaas|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/2336487/Sri-Lankas-hopes-rest-on-new-ball-incisions-by-Vaas.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=7 May 2006|first=Mike|last=Atherton|author-link=Michael Atherton}}</ref> His consistent deliveries and ability to use various types of swing deliveries effectively made him a consistent wicket-taker<ref name="Lillee"/> even in humid weather and on dry and dusty subcontinental pitches, conditions which are known to favour spin bowlers rather than fast bowlers.<ref name="Telegraph2006"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Another bowling milestone for lone warrior Vaas |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2005/12/17/spo05.htm|work=[[Daily News (Sri Lanka)|Daily News]]|date=17 December 2005}}</ref><ref name="ST2009">{{cite news|title=Is the warrior ready for curtains?|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090705/Sports/sunday_Musings.html|work=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)|The Sunday Times]]|date=5 July 2009}}</ref>

Vaas is also a useful [[Batting order (cricket)#Lower order or tail|lower order batsman]],<ref name="NYT2009"/><ref name="Guardian2007"/> and has reached 3,000 Test runs, including 13 Test half-centuries and a [[Century (cricket)|century]]. Only 11 bowlers in Test history with 200 wickets have scored more runs than Vaas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/AllRounders/AllRoundersRWC.asp?Stat=2|title=HowSTAT! Players with 1000 Runs and 2000 Wickets|website=Howstat.com|access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

==World records==
Chaminda Vaas is Sri Lanka's most successful pace bowler,<ref name="ST2009"/> having taken 355 Test wickets from 111 tests. He led the Sri Lankan new ball attack for over a decade. He achieved his 300th test wicket on 12 December 2005 against India, becoming one of the three Sri Lankan bowlers to pass this milestone, along with [[Muttiah Muralitharan]] and [[Rangana Herath]]. Vaas has also taken 400 [[One Day International]] wickets,<ref name="Cricinfo2008"/> only the second Sri Lankan to do so, also after Muralitharan. Only three bowlers have taken more wickets in ODI cricket history.<ref name="stats.espncricinfo.com"/> His partnership with Muralitharan is statistically one of international cricket's most productive bowling duos across all formats.<ref name="Independent2002"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Two to tango: The Top 10 bowling pairs in Test history|url=http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-lists/tango-top-10-bowling-pairs-test-history/179636|work=[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|Wisden]] India|date=12 September 2015|first=Akshay|last=Gopalakrishnan|access-date=3 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003201430/http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-lists/tango-top-10-bowling-pairs-test-history/179636|archive-date=3 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Howdy partner|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/808161.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=8 December 2014|first=Steven|last=Lynch}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Vaas and Muralitharan – rhythm and explosion|url=http://www1.espncricinfo.com/standardchartered/content/story/138738.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=13 July 2004|access-date=5 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011072150/http://www1.espncricinfo.com/standardchartered/content/story/138738.html|archive-date=11 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Vaas has completed the All-rounder's treble of 3000 runs and 300 wickets in Tests.

Vaas holds the record for the [[List of One Day International cricket records#Individual records (Bowling)|best bowling performance]] in one-day international cricket with his 8 for 19 off eight overs against [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]] at the [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground]] in December 2001.<ref>{{cite web|title=LG Abans Triangular Series, 1st Match: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe at Colombo (SSC), Dec 8, 2001|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/66329.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=8 December 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=December 8, 2001 Chaminda Vaas starts LG Abans tri-series with record-breaking bonanza|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/97644.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=8 December 2001}}</ref><ref name="observer">{{cite web|url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2003/08/03/spo11.html|title=Sri Lanka cricket – serious winning business!|first=Kumar|last=Sangakkara|author-link=Kumar Sangakkara|date=3 August 2003|work=[[Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)|Sunday Observer]]|access-date=23 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605214945/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2003/08/03/spo11.html|archive-date=5 June 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Vaas took the first eight wickets of Zimbabwe's then record-lowest ODI innings of 38, with [[Muttiah Muralitharan|Muralitharan]] taking the final two wickets in his first over.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Essential Wisden: An Anthology of 150 Years of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|date = 7 January 2014|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ne8EAQAAQBAJ|publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] (digital version courtesy of [[A&C Black]])|editor-first1=John|editor-last1=Stern|editor-first2=Marcus|editor-last2=Williams|pages=534–5|isbn = 9781408178966}}</ref> It remains the only eight-wicket haul in ODI cricket history. Vaas holds the record for the quickest five wicket haul in ODIs, when he took the fifer against Bangladesh within 16 balls.

Vaas has taken two ODI [[Hat-trick (cricket)|hat-trick]]s in his career, the [[List of One Day International cricket hat-tricks|third]] of only four players to have achieved the feat. The first was taken as part of his 8/19 spell in 2001. Vaas is also one of only two bowlers to take two [[List of international cricket five-wicket hauls at McLean Park|five-wicket hauls at McLean Park]].<ref name=mcleanoverall>{{Cite web | url =http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=11;filter=advanced;ground=453;orderby=start;template=results;type=bowling;view=innings;wicketsmin1=5;wicketsval1=wickets | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180911114527/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=11;filter=advanced;ground=453;orderby=start;template=results;type=bowling;view=innings;wicketsmin1=5;wicketsval1=wickets | url-status =dead | archive-date =11 September 2018 | title =Statistics / / Combined Test, ODI and T20I records / Bowling records | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | access-date =10 August 2015 }}</ref>

==Coaching career==
In October 2012, he was contracted to coach the [[New Zealand]] fast bowlers during their tour of [[Sri Lanka]], which included two Test matches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/|title=NZ Top NZ News Stories from NZCity|website=Home.nzcity.co.nz|access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref> In May 2013, he was appointed as bowling coach for the Sri Lankan side participating in the Champions Trophy competition in [[England]].<ref name=saga/> He served as Sri Lanka's bowling coach until April 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vaas to discontinue as SL fast-bowling coach |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/868537.html |work=ESPNcricinfo|date=30 April 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Chaminda Vaas helping out Dhammika Prasad before a match.JPG|thumb|Chaminda Vass passing on some tips to [[Dhammika Prasad]]]]

In January 2016, Vaas was named as [[Ireland cricket team]] bowling coach. His short-term assignment included two T20Is against [[United Arab Emirates cricket team]] in [[UAE]] and [[2016 ICC World Twenty20]] in [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/vaas-to-assist-ireland-during-world-t20-964115|title=Vaas to assist Ireland during World T20|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12342/10138140/chaminda-vaas-joins-ireland-staff-ahead-of-world-t20|title=Chaminda Vaas joins Ireland staff ahead of World T20|website=Sky Sports|access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref> After serving out his contract he was re-hired in August 2016 to serve as Sri Lanka's fast bowling consultant.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vaas to spearhead SLC's fast bowling feeder system|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/1044447.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=10 August 2016}}</ref>

On 21 July 2017, Vaas replaced [[Champaka Ramanayake]] as Sri Lanka's bowling coach. Sri Lanka Cricket announced that Vaas will mentor the team during [[Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2017|India's tour of Sri Lanka in 2017]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Vaas takes over from Ramanayake as bowling coach |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/1112160.html |work=ESPNcricinfo|date=21 July 2017}}</ref>

On 19 February 2021, Vaas replaced [[David Saker]] as Sri Lanka's fast bowling coach.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 February 2021|title=Chaminda Vaas appointed Sri Lanka fast bowling coach for West Indies tour|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/chaminda-vaas-appointed-sri-lanka-fast-bowling-coach-for-west-indies-tour-1252400|url-status=live|access-date=4 March 2021|work=ESPNcricinfo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219122535/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/chaminda-vaas-appointed-sri-lanka-fast-bowling-coach-for-west-indies-tour-1252400 |archive-date=19 February 2021 }}</ref> However, Vaas resigned on 21 February on the eve of [[Sri Lankan cricket team in the West Indies in 2020–21|Sri Lanka's departure for their tour of West Indies]] citing salary issues.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Balasuriya|first=Madushka|date=21 February 2021|title=SLC says Chaminda Vaas 'holding the game to ransom' after fast bowling coach's resignation|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-cricket-says-chaminda-vaas-holding-the-game-to-ransom-after-fast-bowling-coach-resigns-1252627|url-status=live|access-date=4 March 2021|work=ESPNcricinfo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222145547/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-cricket-says-chaminda-vaas-holding-the-game-to-ransom-after-fast-bowling-coach-resigns-1252627 |archive-date=22 February 2021 }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Vaas is [[Roman Catholic]] and was known to pray before every game.<ref name="Guardian2002"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucanews.com/2009/03/04/catholics-pray-for-sri-lankan-cricketers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124002919/http://www.ucanews.com/2009/03/04/catholics-pray-for-sri-lankan-cricketers/ |title=Catholics pray for Sri Lankan cricketers following attack |publisher=Union of Catholic Asian News |date=4 March 2009 |archive-date=24 November 2009 |access-date=25 September 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/1698881.stm|title=Leader of the lefties|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|work=BBC Sport|date=8 December 2001|access-date=25 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Now listen here ...|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wcm/content/story/136621.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=February 2004}}</ref> He intended to become a priest at a young age but believed that God wanted him to play cricket instead. "I seriously considered going into the priesthood, which would have meant 12 to 14 years of study. But then cricket began to take over. I think that God created me as a cricketer, so I am happy that that's my calling."<ref name="Guardian2002">{{cite news|title=Vaas is the high priest of swing|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/may/16/cricket.srilankainengland20021|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=16 May 2002|first=David|last=Hopps}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingo.com/cricket/a11823_reasons-why-batsmen-hadnt-prayer-against-crickets-high-priest-chaminda |title=600 reasons why batsmen hadn't a prayer against cricket's high priest Chaminda |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711110623/http://www.sportingo.com/cricket/a11823_reasons-why-batsmen-hadnt-prayer-against-crickets-high-priest-chaminda |work=Sportingo |date=7 July 2009 |archive-date=11 July 2009 |access-date=25 September 2009 |author=Thomas Josey |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Vaas moves into top tier|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/1689996.stm|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|work=BBC Sport|date=3 December 2001}}</ref> He suffered some minor injuries during the [[2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team]] bus by gunmen in [[Lahore]] which resulted in the abandonment of that Test series against [[Pakistan]].

He is married to Wasana whom he married in 1999 and the couple has three children, a daughter and two sons.<ref>{{cite news|title=Archive – Photos|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/990829/mirrorm.html|work=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)|The Sunday Times]]|date=29 August 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Enjoying his game|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/enjoying-his-game/article1417567.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=31 May 2008}}</ref>

According to [[Bill Frindall]], scorer and statistician for BBC Radio's [[Test Match Special]], Chaminda is actually his penultimate given name, therefore his initials should read '''WPUJC'''. Vaas' full name is often cited in lists of longest names in the cricket world.<ref>{{cite news|title=Big name sportsmen|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/3138284.stm|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=25 September 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=How do you spell that?|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/562778.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=30 April 2012|first=Steven|last=Lynch}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Hit and giggle|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/blogs/content/story/909137.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=17 August 2015}}</ref>

Vaas was awarded the 3rd highest award in 1996 by the Sri Lankan government when he received the [[Deshabandu]] for his contribution to winning the world cup.

A native of Mattumagala, a village near [[Wattala]] on the outskirts of [[Colombo]], Vaas attended [[St. Anthony's College, Wattala]] for primary school<ref>{{cite news|title=Vaas the greatest|url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2011/07/09/spo20.asp|work=[[Daily News (Sri Lanka)|Daily News]]|date=9 July 2011|first=Premasara|last=Epasinghe|author-link=Premasara Epasinghe}}</ref> and is an alumnus of [[St. Joseph's College, Colombo]], which is well known as the ''alma mater'' of many cricketers and politicians.<ref>{{cite news|title=Josephians celebrate Vaas' feat|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080921/Sports/sp207.html|work=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)|The Sunday Times]]|date=21 September 2008}}</ref> The "Murali-Vaas Trophy", awarded to the winner of the annual cricket match between St. Joseph's and historic rivals [[St. Anthony's College, Kandy]], was named after him and St. Anthony's alumnus [[Muttiah Muralitharan]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Two saints at battle and the stakes are high|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120212/Sports/spt16.html|work=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)|The Sunday Times]]|date=12 February 2012}}</ref>

In 2015, Vaas and former Sri Lanka captain [[Marvan Atapattu]] were awarded Honorary Life Membership of the [[Marylebone Cricket Club]].<ref>{{cite news|title=VAAS AND ATAPATTU BECOME MCC MEMBERS|url=https://www.lords.org/news/2015/february/vaas-and-atapattu-become-mcc-members/|publisher=[[Lord's]]|date=26 February 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of international cricket five-wicket hauls by Chaminda Vaas]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group="note"}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{ESPNcricinfo|id=50804}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Vaas, Chaminda}}
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