why 'gift' a farewell...

so chaminda vaas is playing today...he is included in the team to accord a farewell on account of his contributions to sri lankan cricket...

as far as i go chaminda vaas has gone way past his use-by-date...he was not even the fifth choice bowler therefore was not selected when the series was 'live' which confirms my stand...

i have no problems with the notion that a player who has given his 100% to the nation and contributed to cricket should be given farewell befitting his stature...

but at the same time..why 'gift' a deserving place to a player who is not even deemed fit to play at that level...form and skill wise...?