This article seeks to give the Top 10 greatest Sri Lankan Cricketer of all time.
Cricket is the most popular sport in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is one of the ten nations that take part in test cricket and one of the five nations that has won a cricket world cup. Cricket is played at professional, semi-professional and recreational levels in the country and international cricket matches are watched with interest by a large proportion of the population.
10. Chaminda Vaas
Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas (born 27 January 1974), more widely known as Chaminda Vaas, is a former Sri Lankan first-class cricketer, who played all forms of the game, and a former ODI captain. Often described as the ‘most penetrative and successful new-ball bowler Sri Lanka has produced. Vaas currently holds the record for the best bowling figure in ODI history, and only bowler to take 8 wicket-haul in ODIs.
During his time, Vaas often played a supporting role to Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka’s off spinner and leading wicket taker. In 2004 he gained international recognition when he was selected for the World Test and one-day XI at the inauguralICC Awards.
He was once again selected for the World Test XI at the 2005 awards. Over a fifteen-year international career relatively free of injury, he has set a number of national and international records in wicket hauls and bowling figures. As of 11 October 2016, only 3 bowlers have taken more ODI wickets than Vaas. He is the youngest bowler to take 300 wickets in ODI cricket.
Simply the best and most consistent fast bowler than Sri Lanka has ever had. Any country would be proud to include him in their list of best cricketers.