Sri Lanka women upbeat despite concerns

June 3, 2009

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	Sri Lanka women have plenty of concerns going into the World Twenty20 © TigerCricket.com

Sri Lanka women enter the ICC Women's World Twenty20 as underdogs, and have more concerns than they did when they participated in the Women's World Cup in Australia, where they failed to get past the first stage. They take on Pakistan women in their first game in Taunton on June 12 - a contest that can be termed a grudge battle.

Sri Lanka's 57-run defeat to Pakistan in the World Cup in Canberra cost them a place in the Super Six. For a large part, Sri Lanka had only themselves to blame for that stunning loss because they allowed Pakistan off the hook with some indisciplined bowling, conceding 18 wides. They faltered in their batting too, with three batsmen succumbing to run-outs.

"Despite our disappointing performances in the Women's World Cup, the morale of the girls is very high. They are very keen to make amends when they meet Pakistan again in the Twenty20 version. You need to depend on luck also to win this type of game," coach Chitral Mendis said during the team's final practice session at the NCC grounds.

The team leaves for London Thursday to take part in the ICC Women's World Twenty20 at Taunton from June 11-21 where they are grouped with the same teams as in the World Cup in Australia- Pakistan, England and India.

"I am sure these girls will put up a better performance than they did in the World Cup. Our bowling and fielding is brilliant, it is the batting which is a concern," Mendis said.

	Shashikala Siriwardene was the captain of the Sri Lanka women's team for the World Cup earlier in the year, but was subsequently dropped for disciplinary reasons© Getty Images

Sri Lanka will be greatly handicapped in this department with the absence of three of their experienced players - former captain Sashikala Siriwardene, opening batsman Dedunu Silva and all-rounder Suwini de Alwis who have been left out on disciplinary grounds. These players topped Sri Lanka's batting averages in the recently concluded World Cup.

"We will definitely miss them, they have been our top performers in the past three series including the World Cup. Without their experience our batting is bound to struggle but we will have to play with what we have. Others will have to take on the responsibility to put the runs on the board. I am banking a lot on opening bat Chamari Polgampola who is also the captain, vice captain Eshani Kaushalya and newcomer Chamari Atapattu. I am sure they will make up for the loss," he said.

The three new replacements are Atapattu who was a member of the Asia Cup squad but didn't get an opportunity to play, Chamika Bandara who played one match against West Indies and Sandamali Dolawatte, a former captain. The squad has trained hard for the past one month, trying to iron out the faults that have cost them matches they ought to have won.

Mendis said one of the main reasons for so many run outs in the World Cup (ten run-outs in four matches) was due to lack of practice facilities on centre wickets and erratic calling.

"There is no communication between them when running between the wickets," he said. Lack of experience is one reason because they have played very few international games. They try to take a run off every ball which you can't do against good sides. We have rectified this shortcoming to a great degree."

Mendis pointed out Sri Lanka's disadvantage relative to countries like England and India, as the two have far more exposure to domestic cricket at the professional level. Particularly in England, where players tend to take up the sport at the age of 13.

"So they are far ahead of us," Mendis said. "Our girls start their careers from club level at the age of about 19-20 years which is a distinct disadvantage. Even our club standard is very low compared to other countries. We need to organise more tournaments for our girls to raise their standard. We must start playing at least softball cricket at school level."