Women cricketers contest in quadrangular series

By M. Shamil Amit

Women cricketers from four nations host Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Netherlands and Ireland will contest in a Quadrangular ODI series and Twenty20 series today (23 April).

The Quadrangular will begin with the limited over series which will be played over three days and will culminate with the Twenty20 series from 28 - 29 April.

The quadrangular in fact is not a tournament between the four countries but an opportunity for the teams to prepare for the World Cup qualifying tournament which they will be contesting in November this year.

This would be a good opportunity for some of the new team members said Sri Lanka skipper Shashikala Siriwardena speaking to the media at a pres briefing held at the Global Towers Hotel.

Shashikala further stated that this quadrangular is really important for us in preparation for the World Cup qualifying tournament due to be held later this year. We have seven specialist batswomen and four all rounders.

“Two players Avanthika Mendis and Sherina Ravikumar will be given opportunities during the series as they are players with immense talent said Shashikala. In general we will be looking forward to give off our best” added the skipper.

The Sri Lankan ladies having had a successful tour against England and will no doubt go out as favoutirtes and they will begin their campaign against the Ireland ladies at the Colts ground on 23 April.

Meanwhile the Pakistan women’s team skipper Sana Mir stated that we will be looking forward to put up a good performance against Sri Lanka. We have had poor finishes when the two teams played each other before and have been in the losing side most of the time.

The Netherlands and Ireland, arrived in Sri Lanka early this month and underwent a five-day coaching programme conducted by the ICC European Development Programme. The two skippers Willie Rambaldo (Netherlands) and Clara Metcalfe (Ireland) emphasised that this will be a good opportunity for us to get used to the subcontinent conditions in preparation for the World Cup qualifiers.

Match Schedule

ODI Tournament  

23 April - Netherlands vs Pakistan at Moors

Sri Lanka Vs Ireland at Colts

24 April - Ireland Vs Pakistan at Colts

Sri Lanka Vs Netherlands at SSC

26 April - Ireland Vs Netherlands at Moors and

Sri Lanka Vs Pakistan at P. Sara Stadium

T-20 Tournament  

28 April– Sri Lanka Vs Ireland at P. Sara Stadium (Morning)

Sri Lanka Vs Netherlands (Evening)

Pakistan Vs Netherlands at NCC (Morning)

Pakistan Vs Ireland (Evening).

29 April - Netherlands Vs Ireland at NCC (Morning)

Sri Lanka Vs Pakistan at NCC (Evening)