fazaal24
02-20-2007, 07:30 PM
Chaminda Vaas is a man with a very clear idea of the future.
The Sri Lanka all-rounder turned 33 this year, yet he does not plan on retiring before adding to his current impressive tally of runs and wickets.
Vaas has already entered the record books as one of the only players to have achieved the 'all-rounder's double' (2000 runs/200 wickets) in Test matches, as well as over 300 wickets in one-day internationals.
He told PA Sport: "When I complete 450 one-day wickets and 400 Test wickets, I might hang my boots.
"At the moment I have 370 ODI wickets and 313 Test wickets and physically I am 100% fit."
He uses the same yardstick when assessing the potential careers of his international team-mates.
Of Sri Lanka's World Cup squad, Muttiah Muralitharan is 34, Marvan Atapattu is 36, Russel Arnold is 33 and Sanath Jayasuriya turns 38 this year, but Vaas believes even the latter of these can continue into his 40s.
"As long as you are fit and perform well, age does not matter," he continued.
"Sanath Jayasuriya is an example; he is much fitter than many a young player and performance-wise he is still magnificent.
"He is physically 100% fit and his running between the wickets is a lesson to many a youngster.
"He is good for a couple more years."
Jayasuriya was sidelined recently, but recalled to the squad for the forthcoming World Cup in the West Indies.
Vaas said: "It was indeed a silly notion to have sidelined Sanath.
"His mere presence at the wicket makes the opponents uneasy.
"Sanath, without question, has proved that he is more than capable of turning even a certain defeat into a victory.
"His all-around ability is an asset to the Lankans but we must not entirely depend on Sanath to deliver the goods.
"If he fails, there are others who are equally capable of performing brilliantly.
"(Upul) Tharanga, (Kumar) Sangakkara, Mahela (Jayawardene), Marvan, (Tillakaratne) Dilshan, (Farveez) Maharoof and myself have proved we are quite capable of accumulating quick runs to put us on a winning platform.
"But Sanath is exceptional in the 50-overs game."
Vaas' ambitions are not restricted to individual accomplishments.
Along with Jayasuriya and Muralitharan, Vaas was part of the Sri Lanka side which beat Australia in the World Cup final in 1996, and he is confident the current side can emulate that success.
He added: "The current side is in the same mould of the outfit that won the World Cup in 1996 under Arjuna Ranatunga.
"Although we have had a lean period recently, the Lankans have peaked at the correct time.
"We possess a well-balanced side which is equally strong in all three departments, batting, bowling and fielding, and the unity under Mahela Jayawaradene is excellent.
"Mahela has proved his capability as a sound leader.
"He understands each player and his team has rallied round him to give their utmost support to produce good results."
"Their (West Indies) wickets are similar to the ones in the subcontinent, that does justice to both batsmen and the bowlers.
"We have a golden opportunity of winning it for a second time in this year's competition."
Have Your Say!
The Sri Lanka all-rounder turned 33 this year, yet he does not plan on retiring before adding to his current impressive tally of runs and wickets.
Vaas has already entered the record books as one of the only players to have achieved the 'all-rounder's double' (2000 runs/200 wickets) in Test matches, as well as over 300 wickets in one-day internationals.
He told PA Sport: "When I complete 450 one-day wickets and 400 Test wickets, I might hang my boots.
"At the moment I have 370 ODI wickets and 313 Test wickets and physically I am 100% fit."
He uses the same yardstick when assessing the potential careers of his international team-mates.
Of Sri Lanka's World Cup squad, Muttiah Muralitharan is 34, Marvan Atapattu is 36, Russel Arnold is 33 and Sanath Jayasuriya turns 38 this year, but Vaas believes even the latter of these can continue into his 40s.
"As long as you are fit and perform well, age does not matter," he continued.
"Sanath Jayasuriya is an example; he is much fitter than many a young player and performance-wise he is still magnificent.
"He is physically 100% fit and his running between the wickets is a lesson to many a youngster.
"He is good for a couple more years."
Jayasuriya was sidelined recently, but recalled to the squad for the forthcoming World Cup in the West Indies.
Vaas said: "It was indeed a silly notion to have sidelined Sanath.
"His mere presence at the wicket makes the opponents uneasy.
"Sanath, without question, has proved that he is more than capable of turning even a certain defeat into a victory.
"His all-around ability is an asset to the Lankans but we must not entirely depend on Sanath to deliver the goods.
"If he fails, there are others who are equally capable of performing brilliantly.
"(Upul) Tharanga, (Kumar) Sangakkara, Mahela (Jayawardene), Marvan, (Tillakaratne) Dilshan, (Farveez) Maharoof and myself have proved we are quite capable of accumulating quick runs to put us on a winning platform.
"But Sanath is exceptional in the 50-overs game."
Vaas' ambitions are not restricted to individual accomplishments.
Along with Jayasuriya and Muralitharan, Vaas was part of the Sri Lanka side which beat Australia in the World Cup final in 1996, and he is confident the current side can emulate that success.
He added: "The current side is in the same mould of the outfit that won the World Cup in 1996 under Arjuna Ranatunga.
"Although we have had a lean period recently, the Lankans have peaked at the correct time.
"We possess a well-balanced side which is equally strong in all three departments, batting, bowling and fielding, and the unity under Mahela Jayawaradene is excellent.
"Mahela has proved his capability as a sound leader.
"He understands each player and his team has rallied round him to give their utmost support to produce good results."
"Their (West Indies) wickets are similar to the ones in the subcontinent, that does justice to both batsmen and the bowlers.
"We have a golden opportunity of winning it for a second time in this year's competition."
Have Your Say!