Chaminda Vaas set to be axed after India series

Legendary fast bowler Chaminda Vaas will be sidelined again after being recently appointed as the bowling coach of Sri Lanka. The former left-arm fast bowler was working with the feeder squad since August 2016. He served as the bowling coach of Sri Lanka for two years between 2013 and 2015. The 43-year old has briefly served in a similar capacity for Ireland and New Zealand.

Vaas boasts of tremendous experience

Vaas was appointed to guide the young bowlers of Sri Lanka during the India tour. However, the faster men did not show any substance during the first two Tests which the home side lost by convincing margins. Vaas had replaced Champaka Ramanayake, who resigned following the embarrassing ODI series defeat against Zimbabwe.

A veteran of 111 Tests and 322 ODIs, Vaas had 355 and 400 wickets in both formats respectively. His immense experience of international cricket makes him a viable option as the bowling coach. If reports of cricket age are to be believed, Sri Lanka are in talks with Rumesh Ratnayake to replace Vaas.  Ratnayake has also worked with the Sri Lanka national team during the World Cup of 2015. A former Sri Lanka cricketer himself, Ratnayake went on to represent his country in 23 Tests and 70 ODIs, picking 73 and 76 wickets respectively.

Lowest ebb in SL cricket in recent past

Sri Lankan cricket have hit the doldrums in the last 18 months. After the retirements of Jayawardene and Sangakkara, the Islanders have had a torrid time and might not qualify directly for the 2019 World Cup. They were knocked out in the first round of the Champions Trophy despite beating India famously in one of the group games. After that, they lost an ODI series at home against lowly Zimbabweans and almost lost the lone Test against the same opposition until the lower middle order played out of their skins to win it for the home side.

Currently, a home Test whitewash is looming large on them as India have been head and shoulder’s above them in the ongoing Test series.