Chaminda Vaas has resigned from his role as Sri Lanka bowling coach just three days after being appointed, and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have made their displeasure at his actions abundantly clear.
Vaas’ resignation comes as Sri Lanka prepare to fly to the West Indies for a white-ball tour. In a release simply titled “Chaminda Vaas resigns”, SLC used the word ‘disheartening’ twice, saying Vaas was “holding…the game at ransom” with his “unjustifiable demand”, and calling his decision “irresponsible”.
Since retiring from cricket in 2012, Vaas, Sri Lanka’s leading wicket taker among pace bowlers, has served as the team’s bowling coach on an occasional basis, also taking on a role with Ireland in that time.
The release ends with a spectacular run-on sentence, containing 99 words and 10 commas. The full statement is reproduced below.
“SLC wishes to inform that former Sri Lanka Cricketer and Consultant Bowling Coach of Sri Lanka Cricket, Chaminda Vaas today (22nd February) announced his resignation from his post effective 26th March 2021, and also informed that he will not be available to tour West Indies as a member of the Support staff.
“Vaas’s resignation comes hours before the team was scheduled to depart for West Indies, which is scheduled for tonight.
“It is particularly disheartening to note that in an economic climate such as the one facing the entire globe right now, Mr. Vaas has made this sudden and irresponsible move on the eve of the team’s departure, based on personal monetary gain.
“The Management of SLC, and indeed the entire nation, hold Mr. Vaas in high esteem as a cricketer who has excelled for his country. His years of yeoman service have been appreciated and rewarded over the years both in status and in kind.
“In such circumstances, it is extremely disheartening that a legend such as Chaminda Vaas has resorted to holding the administration, the cricketers, and indeed the game at ransom, by handing in his resignation at the eleventh hour, citing the administration’s refusal to accede to an unjustifiable demand for an increased USD remuneration, in spite of being a contracted employee of Sri Lanka Cricket, already receiving remuneration that is in keeping with his experience, qualifications, and expertise, in addition to which he would have been entitled to the usual USD per diems offered to all members of a traveling squad.”
Tell us how you really feel!
UPDATE: Vaas has since responded in a less wordy manner.
I made a humble request to SLC and they turned it down.
That’s all I can say at the moment.
Justice will prevail!— Chaminda Vaas (@chaminda_vaas) February 22, 2021
