Vass' back injury cause for concern

By Sa'adi Thawfeeq

Friday 30, May 1997


The fitness of key strike bowler Chaminda Vaas had much cause for concern with World Cup champions Sri Lanka scheduled to take off on a one-month tour of the West Indies commencing Sunday.

The left-arm fast bowler returned home with the victorious Sri Lanka team from India yesterday, suffering from a back injury which had kept him out of the first final of the Independence Cup against Pakistan at Mohali.

Vaas returned for the second final played at Calcutta, bowling seven overs at a gingerly pace and taking one wicket for 40 runs before retiring to the pavilion.

Vaas was not required further in the match as the spinners did the job for Sri Lanka to beat Pakistan and take a winning 2-0 lead in the best of three finals.

Vaas' injury was quite unexpected and is primarily due to the strain of playing constant cricket.

The World Cup champions have been continuously on the move since the tour of New Zealand began early this year. They toured Sharjah where they won the Singer Akai Cup, then played a two-Test series against Pakistan at home, before going to India.

``We are awaiting medical advice from Australia on his injury,'' said Sri Lanka manager Duleep Mendis yesterday.

X'rays of Vaas' back injury have been sent to Australia for scrutiny.

Vaas has been medically advised to rest. He is expected to make it to the Caribbean, but the chances are that he will be preserved mainly for the two Tests against the West Indies.

Meanwhile, Vaas' left-arm opening bowler, Nuwan Zoysa who missed the Independence Cup tourney through a leg injury is expected to be fit and make the tour.

A 15-member team led by Arjuna Ranatunga has been named for the historic first-ever tour of the West Indies.


Source: The Daily News

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Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 14:47