Sri Lanka women’s cricket team is ready to take up the challenge against West Indies in their three match ODI series which will commence tomorrow) at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota commencing at 10 a.m. The Sri Lanka Cricket women’s Selection Committee headed by Hemantha Devapriya selected the 16-member Sri Lanka squad to play the ODI series against the West Indies. The second and third ODIs between the two teams will be held on June 18 and 21 at the same venue.
Sri Lankan lasses did well at the recent women’s cricket series while skipper Chamari Athapaththu is in fine form and overall performances of the Sri Lanka side is impressive.
Sri Lanka are currently placed eighth in the ICC Women’s Championship 2023-24 standings, one rank below West Indies who are at seventh. Both teams need to finish in the first six to qualify directly for the World Cup or end up playing in the World Cup Qualifier.
Skipper Chamari Athapaththu said West Indies have well balanced and experienced side and we have to put up a good challenges and never take them lightly. We have only six matches this year, 3 against the West Indies and 3 against Ireland. Out of this we need to win at least five to gain direct qualification. We hope to take one game at a time and play well, said Sri Lanka skipper Chamari.
Sri Lanka already named a well experienced and balanced squad for the West Indies series. Most of the players played in recent series against New Zealand, South Africa and this West Indies series also good experience for Sri Lanka team, especially before the next T-20 World Cup which will be played next October in Bangladesh. Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hansima Karunaratne, Kavisha Dilhari are young players with good potential while they have to rally with experienced players. Skipper Chamari wanted to improve their batting like their bowlers. Oshadi Ranasinghe, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Fernando are the spinners packed with this squad and experienced fast bowler Udeshika Probodhani, Kawaya Kavindi and young Sachini Nisansala are also in this 16 member squad.
Sri Lanka has strengthened their spin options by recalling 22-year-old left-arm spinner Sachini Nisansala after two years, Nisansala had a good domestic season ending up as the leading wicket-taker with 9 wickets for Colombo women in the NSL limited-over tournament.
Meanwhile West Indies led by Hayley Matthews have the services of vice captain Shemaine Campbelle and the side is balanced with young and experienced players. After three ODI series two teams will meet in three T-20 match series at the same venue Hambantota on June 24, 26 and 28 and Sri Lanka selectors hope to name T-20 squad in between the ODI series.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka Cricket already arranged live telecast of the West Indies series on Rupavahini Eye channel. Sri Lanka Women’s ODI cricket squad: Chamari Athapaththu (Capt) Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Nilakshi De Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Hansima Karunaratne, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Inoshi Fernando, Inoka Ranaweera, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari Anushka Sanjeewani, Kawya Kavindi, Sachini Nisansala.
West Indies women’s squad: Hayley Matthews (Capt), Shemaine Campbelle (vice-captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams, Kate Wilmott.
Dhammika Ratnaweera