Former fast bowler Chaminda Vaas, who was appointed the new fast bowling coach of the national cricket team for a period of two years, says one of his main targets is to build up a strong set of fast bowlers for the national team. Vaas, the second highest wicket taker for Sri Lanka in Test and ODI cricket, felt that the team needed six top bowlers to excel in the international stage.

“One of the main things I want to work on is to ensure that we have six solid fast bowlers. That will give us the strength. Currently we have two or three, but we need more than that,” Vaas told The Island after conducting his first session with the players and then speaking to Sri Lanka’s support staff.

There has been a recent trend where several Sri Lankan fast bowlers have been injured and Vaas felt that one of the main reasons for this was lack of communication. “One reason for that is lack of communication. There needs to be good communication between fast bowlers, the coach, and physiotherapist. You have to tell the bowlers to bring to our notice if there’s any injury or niggles,” Vaas explained.

“This has to be a collective effort. Coaches, trainers, physiotherapists and everyone has to contribute. We need to look at things like nutrition and the workload and how much of rest each fast bowler gets and recovery sessions and so on.”

“Looking from outside, it seems like there’s lack of hard work. Most people tend to take short cuts. Some tend to play an IPL, earn the money and take it easy. But there can’t be short cuts for success,” Vaas added.

Last September, Vaas ended his first class career at the end of English county season. He was contracted with Northamptonshire. After ending the first class career that stretched for over two decades, Vaas was a surprise choice as coach when the New Zealanders were in Sri Lanka last year for a Test series.

The series was drawn 1-1, but New Zealand’s seam trio of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Doug Bracewell troubled Sri Lanka’s batsmen with both the old and new ball. At the end of the series, New Zealand captain Ross Taylor said tips from Vaas on how to bowl in Sri Lankan conditions had been extremely helpful for Kiwi bowlers.

by Rex Clementine
Source: The Island (Sri Lanka)