Chaminda Vaas to retire from Test cricket

COLOMBO - Veteran Sri Lankan cricketer Chaminda Vaas has decided to retire from Test cricket, chief selector Asantha de Mel said Saturday.

The 35-year-old left-arm bowler, who has served Sri Lanka at the top level for 15 years, will however be available for the One-Day Internationals (ODI) and Twenty20 cricket, the official said.

“Chaminda has told me he does not want to play Test cricket any more but he will continue in the shorter formats,” de Mel, a former Sri Lankan fast bowler, was quoted as saying by Online news agency.

Vaas, a 110-Test veteran, was overlooked for the Test series against Pakistan, which began at Galle Saturday.

The selectors did not pick him even after spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan was ruled out of the first Test due to a knee injury, leaving the Sri Lankan attack short of experience.

Vaas, who made his Test debut against Pakistan at Kandy in 1994, claimed 354 wickets at an average of 29.40 with 12 five-wicket hauls and twice took 10 wickets in a match.

He also has 400 wickets from 322 ODIs, including a hat-trick off the first three balls of the match against Bangladesh during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

Asked if Vaas will be picked for the ODI team after being ignored for the World Twenty20 in England last month, de Mel said no player could be guaranteed a place in the side.