Lankan lasses shaping for the T-20 big one
While the Sri Lanka cricket team continued with their dismal performance since ending up as World Cup runners-up last year, the country’s women cricketers have shown steady progress in the international arena. Almost two years back Sri Lanka’s women cricketers were less impressive in the international scene as they are today.
Since their international debut in 1997 the local lasses have taken part in three World Cups. In their first apprearance Sri Lanka reached the quarterfinals in 1997 and ended sixth in the 2000 World Cup. Again in 2005 they regained sixth position in the World Cup. However for the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup which is schedueld for this September and the Women’s World Cup in 2013, Sri Lanka had to face the qualifying seires where the participating countries are chosen. The series was held in Bangladesh with the participation of 10 countries during the latter part of 2011. Sri Lanka was drawn along with South Africa, Netherlands, Zimbabwe and USA in Group A while Group B consisted West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland, Bangladesh and Japan. Sri Lanka finished second in the group and fourth in the tournament.
“We made it to the T20 and Women’s World Cups after ranking fourth in the qualifiers. This is a significent achievement, to be featured in both versions of the game as in 2010 when I took over the team was in the hot seat after the 2009 Women’s World Cup. They lost all the matches and were eliminated from the first round itself. Sri Lanka lost its rankings and to make a strong comeback with great impact is very encouraging,” de Silva said.
During the last 24 months the side has been well groomed to counter their international opponents by Harsha de Silva. De Silva, a reputed schools cricket coach with his own touch and wits in cricket coaching said that nothing was easily achieved by these lasses who were more or less made to fight for survival.
“Things are not the same anymore. Today we see new blood coming and giving the seniors a good fight for positions. This situation has created a healthy competition among players. That was a point which was lacking in the team earlier. Today it has helped to progress as a team”.
For the first time a development squad was introduced to women’s cricket after de Silva’s take over. The team until then, were restricted to a handful of names who competed against each other for places in the team. At present de Silva manages two different squads - the national and development - which includes 30 girls. With the assistance of Sri Lanka Cricket’s coaching network, de Silva and his staff were able to find new faces into the team.
“It’s great to see new blood coming in to the squads. So far since 2010, 12 girls have made their international debuts and the seniors were made to fight for their places.
Apparently the skills of the players have developed a great deal. A lot of players has made great contributions to women’s cricket in Sri Lanka but at the same time we have to make them understand that the places in the final team will be solely based on their performances and skill. If this trend is maintained the best will make it to the team. As a whole, Sri Lanka women’s cricket will have the opportunity of making good progress,” de Silva attributed.
Women’s cricket can be compared to that of the boy’s under-15 age category.
De Silva explained that this situation is common even world wide.
But Sri Lanka women cricketers have all chances to top the global arena if local authorities can make arrangements to spread the game amongst youngsters targeting girls’ schools.
To further booste this attempt de Silva says that Sri Lanka women cricketers have all chances to win the Twenty20 World title as well as the Women’s World Cup next year.
“The present situation is really encouraging for women’s cricket which keeps improving day by day. The national squad consists of a set of skilful players. At the qualifiers we played nine matches and won seven.
Our goal was to maintain a 100% success rate but I believe we would have had a bigger boost if we beat South Africa in the first game.
The girls are ever committed and they are determined to win the T20 title on home soil.
We still have certain areas to improve as a team and by the time we gear up for the big event we will be a fitter team,” said de Silva. -NA