Sri Lanka has charismatic captain in Chamarie Atapaththu, the backbone of the Sri Lankan women’s team , the only lassie with World Recognition.
Found favour in the big bash , carribean Premier League , and Yorkshire Diamond. Her views , her outlook, and her ambition to reach excellence before her retirement from international cricket is a journalist top story on any given day.
However, they state that sometimes you carry unnecessary baggage, and Sri Lanka, including New Zealand, to a great extent
Sri Lanka started her campaign against India and had them on the back foot on 120 for six l. They then let the Camel into the tent with the folly of an overaged lassie who misses a grade 3 catch at mid wicket, and Chamairi and her team spoilt an early opportunity of upsetting the Indian apple cart.
The game against Australia was a washout, hence, it’s civil not to be prophetic with the outcome had mother nature behaved herself.
England, with another old lassie, messed up in dropping a vital easy catch off Nat Sciver Brunt when she was on 3, ultimately helping her to score a match winning century. The lassie at fault yet again overaged. Sri Lankan batters simply could not cope with the spin of Sophie Eccleston and Charlie Dean, and even the part-time spin of Alice Capsey. This was a comprehensive win for England.
Sri Lanka, in all honesty, put up a good show against New Zealand scoring 257. Atapaththu had a more responsible attitude with her batting approach. Hence, this new look approach by the captain led to Vishmy Gunaratne, making a disciplined 42, Hasini Perera 44, and the licence for Nilukshi Silva to express herself with 55 at the back endnin 28 deliveries. Big question had rain not intercepted, would Sri Lanka have won this match? Frankly, I doubt it based on their bowling performance against South Africa in similar conditions in which they were thumped by 10 wickets bowling with a wet ball. Remember, the white ferns have an excellent batting front led by Sophie Divine, Susi Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Brook Haliday, and even the Kerr sisters with new kid Izabel Gaze.
Sri Lanka won against Bangladesh It was great to watch, but yet again, lady luck shone on Sri Lanka The batting was not up to scratch with the top order, no doubt Hasini Perera and Nilukshi Silva did a good job, but they did not do a Annabel Sutherland and a Ash Gardner show. Riplys believe it or not scenario in the last over got the Lions over the line against the Tigers.
The Pakistan game was anybody’s guess. We all know both teams they either blow hot or cold and are not consistent.
My views are Sri Lanka not being amongst the top 4 is definitely not a surprise period.