Vaas sets sights on county future

Chaminda Vaas is keen to play first-class cricket in South Africa next year, according to a report in South Africa's Daily News. Vaas is just one of a group of Sri Lankan cricketers who are keen to play first-class cricket abroad in the near future.

"Gauteng approached me to play there this season but it was not possible because of my commitments to Sri Lanka" Vaas said. "We have a tour to Pakistan in October and we then go to New Zealand in December and January. But next year we have a bit of a break and I would like to play first-class cricket either in Australia or England."

Sri Lanka's players had a limited exposure to English county cricket in the past, although Aravinda de Silva (Kent) and Muttiah Muralitharan (Lancashire and Kent) have both enjoyed successful stints.

The major problem has been their international programme which stretches across the English summer. But next year the players could play for a large chunk of the season, returning to Sri Lanka in August for a short series against West Indies.

Aside from Vaas, who played briefly for Hampshire last year, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Dilhara Fernando are all seeking offers from interested counties.