Chaminda Vaas takes the two kilometer fitness test, completes it in under 7 minutes and 30 seconds

Chaminda Vaas, the former Sri Lanka fast bowler, played his last international match way back in 2009. But despite not playing for almost a decade, he isn’t short of fitness by any means. Recently, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) introduced a new fitness test, involving a two-kilometre run for the national players, in order to ascertain the fitness levels at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Vaas also took time to take the test and he seemed to have transcended the fitness standards of the current players. The veteran completed the test in seven minutes and 30 seconds whereas the standard timing in Sri Lanka is eight minutes and 35 seconds.

Good luck Vaasy with your new assignment. A friend of us challenged him to take the two kilometer fitness test this week. He finished in less than 7 minutes and 30 seconds. The standard timing in Sri Lanka is 8 minutes and 35 seconds. Not bad for a 47–year-old. pic.twitter.com/lXLKezO2NU

— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) February 19, 2021

Chaminda Vaas appointed bowling coach for West Indies tour

In his career, Vaas played 111 Tests and 322 ODIs in which he picked up 355 and 400 wickets respectively. The 47-year-old retired speedster has recently been reappointed as the men’s team’s fast bowling coach for the tour of West Indies.

As far as SLC’s fitness test is concerned, 32 out of the 36 cricketers from the provincial squad took part ahead of the Caribbean tour. Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, and Avishka Fernando didn’t take part in the test.

“If a player fails, he can do another test within 40 days; our idea is to achieve the minimum fitness standards before the T20 World Cup, which will be played later this year,” Grant Luden, Physical Performance Manager of SLC, was quoted as saying.

Earlier, even the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) conducted the same test. Sources said that that the test was a crucial part for getting picked for the limited-overs series against England.

“A few fitness tests were conducted for around 20-odd cricketers who are in the reckoning for the limited-overs series against England at home, and for the T20 World Cup in India later this year. Among these tests was the now-famous yo-yo test and the new ‘2km run’ fitness test,” a source told the Times of India.

“In this test, a batsman, wicketkeeper, or a spinner has to complete the two-kilometer distance in eight minutes and 30 seconds, while for a fast bowler, the benchmark is eight minutes and 15 seconds,” the source added.