Hampshire in talks with Sri Lankan bowler

Chaminda Vaas

Sri Lankan left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas is having talks today with Hampshire Cricket officials about becoming their overseas player as replacement for the departed Wasim Akram.

First-team manager Paul Terry was keen to pick up another top quality new ball bowler and Vaas would fit the bill perfectly should he sign.

A veteran of 68 Tests and a mammoth 227 one-day internationals, he is often the key to Sri Lanka's success, alongside Muttiah Muralitharan. He has taken 216 Test wickets and 282 in the shortened version of the game.

If he does join Hampshire, he will not be available for this weeks floodlit National League and Frizzell County Championship matches against Northamptonshire, starting on Wednesday.

Vaas was thought to have been on Terry's preferred list of players and said, "There are still some things to sort out but we hope to make an announcement later this week."