Vaas: 'I know when to call it a day...'

By Ranjan Anandappa

CRICKET: Sri Lanka's left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas dispelled all speculations with regard to his retirement from Test cricket that was rumoured prior to the first Test between England and Sri Lanka which ended recently.

Vaas said that he knows exactly when to go without being a laughing stock of the public and felt greatly honoured for representing the country in 100 Test matches.

Muralitharan and Vaas are the only surviving members of the 1996 World Cup winning team under Arjuna Ranatunga.

"I feel that I have at least one more year of Test cricket and a couple years of Limited Overs cricket in me. Before the people come to know , I think I should know better. I have been playing so many one day matches and Test matches.

Vaas made his Test debut against Pakistan at Asgiriya in 1993, but he never thought that he could go so far in playing in 100 Test matches. The determination and many sacrifices and the devotion for the game had helped him to continue playing at the highest level.

He proved his worth to the side in the first Test against England by getting rid of some frontline batsmen of England team.

He had to cut down on pace due to the condition of the pitch, but concentrated more on line, swing and cut of the wicket. As a medium pacer he has captured 320 Test wickets and he believes that he is in the side purely on performance.

Vaas is also an useful allrounder who has scored about 2700 runs with a hundred and eleven 50s.

Talking about Muralitharan's world record breaking effort, Vaas said that 'Murali' is no doubt a great bowler and proved that he is the best bowler in the world.

His determination has brought him success. Kumar Sangakkara too should be put into the same category. He is highly talented. He wanted to prove something, and he did it. He has more years of cricket left in him.