By Saroj Pathirana BBC Sinhala Service

Vaas in action against Australia in 2003

Chaminda Vaas is considering retirement from international cricket after being dropped from Sri Lanka's squad for the World Cup, starting in February.

The fast bowler, who retired from Test cricket in 2010, was keen to play for his country at the World Cup, which will be part hosted by Sri Lanka.

But Vaas and batsman Sanath Jayasuriya were left out of a final 15-man squad.

"I tried my best, but my performances have not been good enough to get me selected," Vaas told BBC Sinhala.

"I wish the team very good luck and hope they bring the World Cup back to Sri Lanka again," he said.

VAAS'S INTERNATIONAL CAREER Tests: 111 Test wickets: 355 ODIs: 322 ODI wickets: 400

Aravinda de Silva, Sri Lanka's chairman of selectors, said that dropping the two veterans has been one of the most difficult decisions of his career.

Vaas, 36, has performed well in recent regional and international tournaments, including the IPL, and for English county team Northants.

"I haven't finally decided, but I will make my mind up after the World Cup whether to retire from international matches," he said.

Sanath Jayasuriya, 41, earned the nickname 'Master Blaster' for his aggressive batting style, but has failed to deliver in recent international and domestic encounters.

Their leaving the game will be a huge loss to Sri Lankan cricket Sri Lanka's Rangana Herathon Vaas and Jayasuriya

Spinner Rangana Herath, one of three spinners in the Sri Lanka squad, paid tribute to Vaas and Jayasuriya.

"Their leaving the game will be a huge loss to Sri Lankan cricket, but I'm sure the current generation will try to fill the gap," he told the BBC.

Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh are co-hosting the 2011 Cricket World Cup which starts on 19 February.

Muttiah Muralitharan, Vaas and Jayasuriya's team-mate from their 1996 World Cup-winning team, is among the 15 men chosen by the national selectors.

Sri Lankan World Cup squad: Kumar Sangakkara (capt & wk), Mahela Jayawardena (vice-capt), Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedara, Angelo Mathews, Thissara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version