Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Friday roped in former pacer Chaminda Vaas as the specialist fast bowling coach for the series against India which starts on 26th July in Galle. "Sri Lanka Cricket today (21) announced that ace paceman Chaminda Vaas has been drafted into the National side to guide the pace attack for the India tour of Sri Lanka," the board confirmed in a statement.
"The series opener takes place in Galle on July 26. The former new ball seamer has been at the helm of the National programme working with the feeder squads since August last year and joins the national team as specialist fast bowling coach ahead of the India tour," it added.
Vaas replaces Champaka Ramanayake, who resigned after the series against Zimbabwe, citing "personal reasons" for ending a two-year stint.
For Vaas, the role is only temporary for now, but he has done the job in the past, having been the national team's bowling coach between February 2013, and April 2015. He has also had coaching positions with New Zealand and Ireland in brief stints.
During his 15-year long international career, Vaas claimed 761 wickets in 439 international matches (Tests, ODIs and T20Is) for Sri Lanka. He still holds the record for being the second highest wicket-taker for the Islanders after the great Muttiah Muralitharan.
(With IANS Inputs)
