There’s ample room for improvement — Women’s Coach Rumesh Ratnayake
Another mission accomplished for skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Coach Rumesh Ratnayake
After Sri Lanka’s women cricketers secured a historic 2-1 victory against South Africa in the Women’s T20I series last week, team captain Chamari Athapaththu posted a photo holding the trophy with Head Coach Rumesh Ratnayake, captioned ‘Champions, Bilateral Series against South Africa, Final duty for my country’.
However, Coach Ratnayake believes that all-rounder Athapaththu’s statement may not have been what she truly intended, as the Sri Lankan women’s team gears up for the upcoming three-match Women’s ODI series starting this Tuesday in Port Elizabeth. Ratnayake, known for his tactical prowess that has led to the team’s success, including recent victories and series wins, sees the situation as ‘the glass was half full’.
“What Chamari (Athapaththu) meant to say was something totally different, but it was a case of ‘lost in translation’. Yes, we won the T20 series against South Africa, but they were not the best games of our lives,” Ratnayake told the Sunday Times ahead of the three ODI games, which is part of the part of the Women’s Championship that determines qualification for the 50-over World Cup.
Since Ratnayake took charge, Sri Lanka women secured victories against Bangladesh (ODI and T20), New Zealand (ODI), and England (T20), leading up to the recent historic 2-1 T20 series win against the former ICC Women’s T20 World Cup finalists and world fifth-ranked team. Despite these successes, the former Sri Lankan fast bowler believes his team has ample room for improvement.
“Both matches (vs South Africa) were altered a lot, in fielding and bowling. We had to wake up and sort things out while the match was on, but still managed to both two games. In a way, it’s encouraging, knowing the fact that we were not at our best. The girls know about it, and we discussed,” Ratnayake, who is adamant to transform the Sri Lanka women’s cricket team, now ranked seventh in T20s, into a formidable outfit, explained.
Ratnayake ensured that the discussions and pep talks after the significant win did not overshadow the celebrations. His approach was highly welcomed by the gutsy players, who are eager to make a lasting difference to Sri Lanka’s position in the world of women’s cricket.
“Of course, we played, we adjusted ourselves midway and reaped the results. The mere fact we won, showed the real guts, dedication and the willingness of the girls to take a step further, in other words adhere professionalism,” he noted.
After suffering a 79-run defeat in the initial T20i, Sri Lanka fought back to secure victories by 7 wickets and 4 wickets, clinching their first series win against the South African women. In all three matches, South Africa batted first. In the first game, Sri Lanka faced a target of 199 runs. However, they stumbled at 119, with Harshitha Samarawickrama scoring 38 off 33 balls, and Hasini Perera contributing 30 off 18 balls. Kavisha Dilhari added a quick 13 off 9 balls. In the bowling department, Achini Kulasuriya claimed two wickets.
Kulasuriya continued her good form in the second game, where South Africa managed only 137-8. Sri Lanka successfully chased the target, losing three wickets with seven deliveries remaining. 18-year-old opener Vishmi Gunaratne, playing her 26th T20i, impressed with an unbeaten 65 off 57 deliveries. Dilhari showcased her all-round skills with an unbeaten 45 off 28 balls, while Samarawickarama scored a run-a-ball 12.
Harshitha Samarawickrama, the star in waiting, taking a selfie with the team after Sri Lanka's T20 series win
Despite skipper Athapaththu not performing at her usual level in both games, the coach lauded the team’s collective effort that turned the tide in the second match. The momentum continued in the third game, where South Africa posted 155-6, with Sugandika Kumari taking three wickets.
Athapaththu rediscovered her batting touch during Sri Lanka’s chase, playing a pivotal role in the record-breaking successful run-chase by scoring 76 off 46 deliveries. Samarawickrama, the energetic 25-year-old, guided Sri Lanka to victory with her unbeaten 54 off 43 balls, supported by Nilakshi de Silva’s quickfire 12 off just six balls.
“The process and focus is not to rely on a single player, and I think the girls did well in the second game. That was one of our targets, and of course we focused on some scores, to build up to 150 or above in T20s. Chamari joining in the bandwagon in the third game was a bonus, and that paved the way for an emphatic win. Her leadership is fantastic, and that’s another area were are focused on, to groom the next ones in line,” stated Ratnayake, who singled out Harshitha Samarawickrama for her positive attitude.
“Harshitha was fantastic. Her body language was vibrant, which is a positive sign. Not all can score, but her attitude helped encourage other players’ mindset in a way and that is any coach’s delight,” added Ratnayake, who refrained from making predictions ahead of the ODI series.
“We need to adjust for the ODIs, to alter into playing a longer version with a lot of batting, bowling and fielding involved. We have looked at so many examples, and it’s a mindset that we have to acquire and amalgamate. The environment is all about learning, and giving their best at all battles. I would say we will do our very best and, when we do our very best, we always win,” indicated the coach.
Sri Lanka will take on South Africa in the first Women’s ODI on Tuesday at East London, followed by the second game at Kimberly on April 13 and the final encounter at Potchefstroom on April 17. South Africa is currently placed second in ICC Women’s ODI ranking, while Sri Lanka sits at seventh.