Vaas to discontinue as SL fast-bowling coach

Chaminda Vaas will not continue as Sri Lanka's fast bowling coach, after his contract lapsed at the end of April, Sri Lanka Cricket has said. The board acknowledged the work Vaas had done with Sri Lanka's burgeoning battery of pace bowlers, but negotiations between the board and coach did not result in a fresh contract.

"Chaminda Vaas' contract lapsed today 30th of April 2015, and on a mutual agreement it was decided not to go for an extension of the said contract," an official release said.

Vaas had been appointed fast bowling coach in early 2013, and has overseen a World T20 victory and a Test series win in England during his tenure, with Sri Lanka's quicks having played a significant role in both those results. The seamers had been underwhelming in recent limited overs tours, however, including in the World Cup.

For his part, Vaas had also appeared somewhat disillusioned with his role during Sri Lanka's recent stretch in Australia and New Zealand. In March he had suggested he would not continue as coach after the World Cup.

SLC is aiming to have a new fast-bowling coach in place well before Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka begins in mid-June. Champaka Ramanayake, who was the national team's fast-bowling coach before Vaas, is favoured to reprise his role, only, his family situation has prevented him from touring over the past year. As Sri Lanka's next three assignments are at home, however, there is a chance Ramanayake will be appointed fast-bowling coach on a temporary basis, to begin with.

Vaas is Sri Lanka's most successful seamer, with 355 Test scalps to his name. The likes of Shaminda Eranga, Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep had appeared to make significant advances over the past two years, but Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara have also been less effective recently, during Vaas' watch.