Sri Lanka, England women play historic one-dayer today
 

by Chris Dhambarage

The Sri Lanka women's cricket team will take on the touring England women's cricket team in a historic one day international at the Colts Cricket Club grounds in Havelock Park today.

This is the first time Sri Lanka will be up against England in a one day international on home soil although the two teams have earlier met thrice in three world cups in South Africa, New Zealand and India.

The Lankans ended up in the losing side on all three occasions and this time they will be hoping for an improved performance. The side have experienced mixed fortunes in the past few months and the present combination includes as many as six newcomers.

The President of the Women's Cricket Association of Sri Lanka Mrs. Gwen Herath said that this series is quite a significant one for the Lankans who are also preparing for the inaugural Asia Cup to be staged in Pakistan next month.

She said that they had originally planned to have three one day internationals against England but were forced to reduce the number of games to two due to the present situation in the country. The tour is also an important one for the England team as they are hoping to make use of the conditions in the sub continent ahead of a gruelling five week tour of India which includes five one day internationals and one Test match.

The England team will be captained by opening batswoman Charlotte Edwards who made her debut for England at the age of 16. She had a tremendous series against the Australians recently where she accumulated over one thousand runs. She has a career best one day international score of 173 runs against Ireland in the 1997 World Cup.

The Sri Lanka women's team will be captained by Sandamali Dolawatte who is one of the most experienced players in the squad. The opener has toured Pakistan in 2002, West Indies in 2003, Australia in 2004 and South Africa for the World Cup last year.

The Lankans however suffered a major blow yesterday when vice captain Shashikala Siriwardena was ruled out with an injured finger. Siriwardena who is one of the key player in the side fractured her finger while practising and is also doubtful for the second game which is scheduled for Saturday at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

The teams:

Sri Lanka (from): Sandamali Dolewatte - Captain, Chamari Sarojika Polgampola, W. A. Chandrawathie, Randika Galhenege, Hiroshi Abeysinghe, Done Indralatha, Inoka Galagedera, Shaleka Nirukshini, Eshani Kushalya Lokusuriya, A. D Jankanthi Mala, P.D. Swini de Alwis, Shashikala Siriwardena, J. Bernard Perera - Coach, S.K. Ravindran Manager.

England (from): Charlott Edwards (captain), Arran Brindle, Beth Morgan, Claire Taylor, Roalie Birch, Lydia Harper, Laura Newton, Isa Guha, Jane Smit, Katherine Brunt, Jenny Gunu, Jo Watts, Charlott Dickenson (manager), Sue Hughes (physiotherapist) and Richard Bates (coach).