Vaas stands the test of time

Chaminda Vaas: his country's leading fast bowler, but averaging 54.00 with the ball this series © Getty Images

There aren't too many cricketers whose initials are longer than their surname. There aren't too many bowlers around with an economy-rate of less than 4.16 in one-dayers. Nobody has dismissed Sachin Tendulkar nine times in ODIs. And, as Marvan Atapattu said on the eve of the sixth one-dayer at Rajkot, not many medium-pacers from the subcontinent have excelled for more than 10 years on the international stage.

For Chaminda Vaas, returning to Rajkot has a special significance. It was on this ground, on February 15 1994, as a raw 20-year-old, that he bowled his first-ever ball in international cricket. "It all began here and I learnt a lot from bowling on these pitches," said Vaas on the eve of the game. "The ball swings more in Sri Lanka compared to here. Bowling on these dry wickets in hot conditions is a big test. I realised how important it is to hit the right spots consistently." And over the last decade, not many bowlers hit them as often as Vaas.

For four glorious years from 2001 to 2004, Vaas was arguably the best medium-pacer in ODIs. In 103 games in that period, he snared 146 wickets and had a staggering economy-rate of 3.95. This series, though, where he has managed just four wickets in five games at an average of 54, has been a let down and he has no qualms about admitting that his performances have been below par. "I have bowled well only in patches on this tour. I need to improve in the next two games."

In fact, his fifteen previous games in India haven't produced too many wickets - 13 at 40.3 - but he's been invaluable with his economy-rate of 4.44. Not many will forget his masterclass at Mumbai during the Independence Cup in 1997 when he took a wicket off the first ball of the innings, a wicket off the last ball of the innings, managed three maidens, and stunningly conceded just 13 runs in his 10 overs. The pitch was so flat that Sanath Jayasuriya and friends reached the target of 226 in the 41st over.

What's really hurt Sri Lanka in this series, though, is Vaas's profligacy - he's leaked 6.35 runs per over - and the pressure on the batsmen has been instantly released. The Indians went after him in the opening game at Nagpur, where he was clobbered for 67 in 10 overs, and haven't let up ever since. "It is tough getting wickets on these pitches but economy is very important. I'm confident I can rectify the errors in the last two games and come back stronger."

However, there were glimpses of the vintage Vaas in Ahmedabad where he tied Yuvraj Singh in all sorts of knots in the early stages before dismissing him with a wonderful set-up - shifted mid-on to a short midwicket, tempted him to push in the vacant straight region and got him to mis-time an incutter.

Rajkot and Baroda follow and it remains to be seen whether Vaas can find his old touch. Despite his lean patch, though, he always brings with him several other dimensions. Atapattu spoke about the value he adds to the side and said, "He works really hard and is an ideal role model for all of us. He is a perfect team man and has played a vital role in the nurturing of younger fast bowlers." But what is the one quality that sets Vaas apart from the rest? "Basics," said Atapattu in an emphatic manner.

The peerless Wasim Akram was once referred to as the `left hand of God'. And despite his tribulations in the current series, in the one-day game at least, the boy who wanted to be priest, isn't too far behind.