Is Sri Lanka the Smokey?

The single most improved team on the planet in the last twelve months. Can Sri Lanka maintain the momentum? One hopes!

People will point to improved player contracts but that is too simplistic. What SLC have done in the last twelve months is nothing short of remarkable. More dollars for the players, great, but SLC have provided more resources for the women’s game and this is where the answer lies to the dramatic rise of this team.

Once a “one woman show”, this is now a very well rounded cricket team. Such a delight to see this turn around.

Squad

Chamari Athapaththu, Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Vishmi Gunarathne, Ama Kanchana, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Harshitha Madavi, Inoka Ranaweera, Anushka Sanjeewani, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoshi Priyadharshani.

Schedule

Sri Lanka are in Pool A along with India, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan. This is a hefty challenge:

• Pakistan (3 Oct)
• Australia (5 Oct)
• India (10 Oct)
• New Zealand (12 Oct)

Batting

The rise of generation next has been a feature of the last year with Sri Lanka. Long reliant on the skipper Chamari Athapaththu to lead the way, we’re seeing the likes of Vishmi Gunarathne and Kavisha Dilhari finally starting to deliver on their promise. Along with keeper/batter Anushka Sanjeewani, there is plenty to like about the batting.

Bowling

As with all Asian teams, a banquet of high quality spin bowling options, led by the incomparable Inoka Ranaweera. I do have a question over the inclusion of Udeshika Prabodhani, a veteran of many campaigns, but surely there is a better pace option in Sri Lanka than this 39 year old with a modest record. I think it will be all spin from Sri Lanka.

Fielding

A mixed bag here. Some excellent fielders, catchers, looking at Nilakshi de Silva in particular. The keeper is one of the best in Asia in Anushka Sanjeewani. Outside of those highlights, there is work to be done but the team is yong and keen to learn so the only trajectory is upwards.

The Challenge

One game at a time. Sri Lanka must defeat Pakistan in the first game and then look further. Nothing matters more than the first game.