SLC to stage more junior tournaments for women’s cricket
Hemantha Devapriya
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in the hope of improving, popularizing the game in the provinces and picking women’s cricket teams for future international events has drawn up plans concentrating more on the junior cricket.
It is a step in the right direction to find talent mainly from the provinces and nurture them under experienced coaches to carry the Sri Lanka flag high in the international arena in the future.
Hemantha Devapriya, Chairman of SLC’s women’s cricket selection committee was not satisfied with the performance of the Sri Lanka team at the Women’s Cricket World Cup.
“We beat Bangladesh but I expected them to win at least two more matches. In some matches we came close but failed to complete a win. They clearly exhibited the lack of experience in how to win a match in a tight situation,” said the former Sri Lanka wicket keeper batsman in an interview with the Sunday Times.
“The bulk of performance was by Chamari Atapattu and Shashikala Siriwardene. Others performances were not up to the standard. But I am sure they will learn more and improve in handling situations at the deciding point. In the whole tournament, the middle order batting and bowling let us down badly. There are areas we have to think about and make adjustments. I also say that the youngsters in the team did their best but it will take a little longer time for them to step up,” he said acknowledging that Shashikala’s retirement would be a huge void to fill.
“It is difficult to find a cricketer of Shashikala’s calibre. Her bowling plays a major part in the team as she is rated as one best off spinners in the world. Her performance in matches has proved it. But certainly there are spinners coming up and they have to come forward and take the responsibility,” he said.
Devapriya urged Sri Lanka Cricket to do more to promote the women’s game in the outstations. “There is a special manager to look after the area. She goes to the outstations and meets school principals and officials to find ways and means in promoting the game. More teams taking up to the game will be good for the game since at the moment there are only 34 women’s teams. If there are numbers Sri Lanka Cricket will provide them support,” he said noting that there is talent but their exposure is limited.
The chief selector said that the good work in districts and provinces should continue to scout for the best talent so that it will make the job easy for the SLC to draw up plans for the future of Sri Lanka’s women cricket.
“We have only the Under 19 competition and there are plans to organise Under-15 and Under-17 tournaments with the aim of picking up teams with the World Cup in mind. The District and Provincial coaches will recognize talent in their areas and will help the selectors to pick pools for Under 15 and 17 teams. Already there is a provincial tournament for Under 23 which gives a lot of opportunities for them to prove their talent and come up with good performances. The best in the districts and provinces will be selected to form a pool for the national squad,” he said.
Asked whether a foreign coach is needed for the women’s team at the moment, Devapriya said: “SLC has appointed a person to overlook women’s cricket which is a good step taken. The present coaches are doing a good job. Since the national team consists of many youngsters, with more experience such as playing abroad and guidance, Sri Lanka women’s cricket will be in a good shape.”