Vaas denies retirement claims

Chaminda Vaas has denied claims from Asantha de Mel, Sri Lanka's chief selector, that he had retired from Test cricket. "I have not made any such decision yet," Vaas told Cricinfo. He also denied having spoken to de Mel or any other selector regarding his plans.

Earlier today AFP reported de Mel as saying: "Chaminda has told me he does not want to play Test cricket anymore, but he will continue in the shorter formats."

The news comes a day after Sri Lanka's new captain, Kumar Sangakkara, strongly suggested that Vaas - overlooked for the two Tests against Pakistan - would give up at least one form of the game. "I had a very good one-on-one chat with him [Vaas] before we went for the Twenty20 world Cup. There is no doubt about the quality of Vaas what he has done for Sri Lankan cricket," Sangakkara had said in Galle.

"He has still got a role to play in our side. We just have to decide which format of the game he is going to make the most most contribution in, and with his fitness and age how best can he divide his time if he decides to play more than one form of the game. But definitely, going forward, there is a World Cup. He is going to be a big part of our side."

Vaas, 35, has picked up 354 wickets in 110 Tests. He had previously said he had his sights set on the 2011 World Cup.