“I’m very excited to be joining the backroom staff of the Ireland team”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Ireland have named former Sri Lanka left-arm pace bowler Chamdinda Vaas as their bowling consultant ahead of the World Twenty20.

Vaas, who has worked as New Zealand and Sri Lanka’s bowling coach in the past, will begin his stint with Ireland when they play two Twenty20 Internationals against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on February 14 and 16. His tenure with the team will conclude after the World Twenty20 in India.

“I’m very excited to be joining the backroom staff of the Ireland team,” Vaas said. “There’s a lot of talent and experience in the squad which I’m confident I can add to.

“I’ve played with and against some of the guys during my time in county cricket with Middlesex and Northants. I’m relishing the prospect of sharing the knowledge and experience I’ve picked up during my 20-plus years in the game.”

Ireland head coach John Bracewell added: “It’s great to have Chaminda with us through the build-up as well as during the T20 World Cup. I have long been an admirer of his skills and like all the Sri Lankan cricketers of his era he was a great problem-solver.

“His ability to get wickets in all forms of the game especially on the sub-continent was extraordinary. This experience will be invaluable to our bowling group.”

Vaas represented Sri Lanka in 111 Test matches and took 355 wickets at an average of 29.58. He also played 322 ODIs and six Twenty20 Internationals, claiming 400 wickets at an average of 27.53 and six wickets at an average of 21.33 respectively.