Women's skipper Chamari Atapattu confident of qualifying for World Cup

As Sri Lanka prepares for the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe later this year, Sri Lanka women’s cricket team captain Chamari Atapattu believes, Sri Lanka could finish among the top three teams in the tournament. The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 will be held in Zimbabwe from November 21 to December 5.

The 10-team tournament decides three qualifiers for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 to be held in New Zealand from March 4 to April 3, joining five teams who have already qualified through the ICC Women’s Championship – Australia, England, India, South Africa and hosts New Zealand.

The teams that will be seen in action in the fifth edition of the tournament are Bangladesh, Ireland, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United States, the West Indies and Zimbabwe. "We got a good team,” said captain Atapattu.

“To be honest, we had a problem in the number three and four slots in the batting line up but we have found two good batters in Harshitha Madhavi and Imesha Dulani”. Madhavi is the vice-captain of the side Dulani is likely to make her international debut during the World Cup qualifier. "There are a few players, who can replace those two places. But I believe both Harshitha and Dulani will do something special for us in the World Cup qualifiers," the skipper said.

Atapattu also commended the 20-year-old Kavisha Dilhari, a right handed bat as she has improved her game immensely.

"Young cricketer Kavisha is a fantastic allrounder," Atapattu pointed out. Atapattu has the faith in two senior players Prasadani Weerakkody, the wicket-keeper batter and all rounder Nilakshi de Silva.

Sri Lanka have found 11 batters, three pure all rounders with skipper Atapattu herself, six spinners and five pace bowlers in the 27-member pool. It will be pruned down to 22 shortly.

"We are currently in a bio bubble training in

Dambulla,” she added.

Achini Kulasuriya, who can bowl over 120kmph, is the fastest bowler in the squad. "Achini is the spearhead of the bowling attack. She has the ability to bowl over 120kmph, and is a massive advantage for Sri Lanka," Atapattu said.

Sri Lanka Women's team have not played One Day International matches for two years due to the COVID situation.

The Sri Lanka skipper excelled during the previous edition of the Indian Premier League women's segment, being among the top batters. But due to the prevailing situation, there's no women's edition of IPL this year.

"The experience I got from playing IPL was immense. I could share the experience I got from the IPL. There are a lot of experience players out there in the IPL. So it's a huger chance for us to share their experience. It's vital for the future of Sri Lanka cricket," the captain said.

"Like myself, I like to have a few players get selected to play for IPL, Australia's Big Bash and England's 100 tournaments. If others also play such leagues, it would be a great impetus for their career developments," Atapattu said.

"Since, the World Cup played in New Zealand, I think I will have a huge opportunity to play in conditions in Australia which is similar to New Zealand. I have a big chance to adapt to the New Zealand condition," said Atapattu, who leaves the country on September 22 to take part in the Big Bash League.

"World's best players feature in the Big Bash League and it will be a fantastic opportunity for me to share the dressing room with some of these great players. The experience will stand good sted for me personally and for my team,” Atapattu, who plays for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League stressed.

Like myself, I like to have a few players get selected to play for IPL, Big Bash and England's 100 tournaments. If others also play such leagues, it would be a great impetus for their career developments"