Chaminda Vaas resigns as Sri Lanka’s fast bowling coach days after appointment

Sri Lankan pace great Chaminda Vaas resigned as the national team’s fast bowling coach on Monday. Barely after three days after being appointed to the post, Vaas resigned due to a pay dispute with the board.

This move by Vaas was just before the team’s departure for a tour of the West Indies.

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“We could not agree to his terms so he resigned,” a senior Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) official said.

“It is particularly disheartening to note that in an economic climate such as the one facing the entire globe right now, Mr Vaas has made this sudden and irresponsible move on the eve of the team’s departure, based on personal monetary gain,” SLC said in a statement.

Following the team’s poor show against South Africa and England in recent times, Vaas was appointed to replace Australian David Sakar last week.

Incidentally, Vaas was to leave for the West Indies with the squad on Monday night to play three matches each of the two shorter formats and two Tests.

A board official said that Vaas has also resigned from his position as the SLC Academy coach.

Vaas is considered to be Sri Lanka’s most successful pace bowler with 355 Test wickets and 400 ODI wickets. His resignation ahead of the tour has not gone well with the cricket board.

“It is extremely disheartening that a legend such as Chaminda Vaas has resorted to holding the administration, the cricketers, and indeed the game at ransom, by handing in his resignation at the eleventh hour, citing the administration’s refusal to accede to an unjustifiable demand for an increased (USD) remuneration…,” SLC’s statement read.

Ironically, the squad that is to depart on Monday night had not received the country’s sports ministry sanction.

The first of the three T20Is is to take place in Antigua on March 3.