Sri Lanka's most successful fast bowler Chaminda Vaas will be back with Sri Lanka Cricket's (SLC) Coaching Staff, revealed SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala yesterday.
According to Sumathipala, Vaas will be handed the responsibilities of training Sri Lanka's fast bowling squad which will comprise fast bowlers coming through District, Provincial and Developments Squads.
"We have requested Vaas to start working with us from the end of this month" said Sumathipala who also stated that the appointment will not be for the National Team.
The fitness of Sri Lankan fast bowlers came under some question when the Island Nation lost four of their top fast bowlers (Dhammika Prasad, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep) due to injuries while Shaminda Eranga was banned for an illegal bowling action during the England tour.
In addition, promising fast bowler Vishwa Fernando made his debut in the Galle Test against Australia but he bowled only two overs, while Under-19 fast bowler Asitha Fernando was also called up for the Sri Lanka Squad.
Sumathipala further said, there are three reasons which they have identified as the main cause for these injuries.
"The first thing is the scientific approach where we should be able to identify the physique of the player and then identify how many overs he will be able to bowl for a spell for a day and when he will need rest. That information should be run by the High Performance Manager, National Coach and Captain. There was no system like that," said Sumathipala.
The SLC Chief also said the second reason will be the rehabilitation process where SLC should identify when a player should go under recovery process and after how many overs.
"The third fact is the systematic way of developing and pooling fast bowlers into District, Provincial levels, Development Squads and so on where we have already invited Chaminda Vaas to work with us" said Sumathipala.
Vaas who played 111 Tests and 322 ODIs claimed 194 Test and 320 ODI wickets. Sri Lanka's pace bowling department was at a high level when he was the fast bowling coach where the pacemen played a major role in Sri Lanka's Test series win in England in 2014.
Vaas functioned as the National Fast Bowling Coach from February 2013 to April 2015 before he resigned as the SLC were not prepared to renew his contract. Vaas had openly criticized the governing body at that time.
Apart from his National duties Vaas also worked with the New Zealand Team as a consultant when the Kiwis visited Sri Lanka. He also worked with the Ireland Team during the last ICC Twenty20 World Cup held in India.
