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| Sunday, 11 July 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Women's cricket : Better times ahead The Arena with Srian Obeyesekere Emerging from the dilemma of having three of its star players To say that Sri Lankan women's cricket has touched rock bottom would not be an understatement. That is after the country's fairer sex had indeed traversed to a level of standard. They beat some of the better known countries in the game including winning a tournament in the West Indies. But when three of the teams best players including the captain decamped enroute back home from the West Indies, it was almost back to square one. Today, once again the women's cricket authorities have been driven to scratch the barrel to get things moving. Sadly, from being counted among the best in the world to not being able to beat some of the lesser known sides. In recent outings the local lasses have lost badly including a drubbing at the hands of Pakistan in a home series. While it is a setback to Lankan women's cricket, at the same time the decamping of the three players in London is also a sorry reflection on the tour management. Re-building the team in women's cricket which had been playing at international level but for a few years has not been easy where unlike in men's cricket one does not hear of an abudndance of latent talent coming in at the grass roots level. Indeed,it is a resource of talent which the authorities draw from the few glamour Colombo clubs though of course the game has begun to attract talent in the outstations as well. The facilities too are far and few compared to their male counterparts. A fact best reflected by that driving force behind women's cricket in Sri Lanka, Gwen Herat who says that finances to run women's cricket here is next to nothing in comparison to the huge money that their male counterparts mint into the kitty at the local citadel of men's cricket. But that is understandably so. The male bastion has fine tuned themselves from small beginnings as cricket has flourished to a level where they earn the dollars fat and thick through flair and skill. In contrast, it is a comparative struggle for the lasses in a man's world which they have like so many other countries of their tribe entered where they want to be counted. But to be counted, it is certainly a long journey where talent, facilities, money and honour matter. For one, our men have comparatively indeed upheld the highest traditions of the game. There has not been a single such incident of decamping from their quarter in long festered years that has knitted them with the game. Indeed, our men's cricket has gone from strength to strength, so much so that they have not only come to be recognised for their feats in the middle, but also as true ambassadors for the country where discipline has come first. Thus, relatively it is hoped the women's authorities or the Women's Cricket Association of Sri Lanka (WCASL) will in future in the interests of the game ensure that discipline above all is at the centre as much as learning to win. What with the fairer sex at last finding national recognition with the Sports Ministry as much as finding status with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Commendable achievements for love's labour where that livewire, Gwen Herat must indeed be handed a bouquet having 'batted' in a largely man's world. Her's has been a virtual solitary struggle to develop the game among women in Sri Lanka. And, in the circumstances when national recognition has come at long last her elation is an understandable victory for women's cricket in Sri Lanka. "I had been advocating for national status for donkeys years, and to get it at last is a tremendous boost at that level," she said. But what goes beyond is the fact that our women have found recognition by the ICC. As Gwen rejoiced this is 'a big blessing for our lot where we will benefit financially.' Of course, the big clout for their lot is that in future Sri Lanka women's cricket will come in for substantial funding from the ICC. But as much as the fairer sex has 'scored' in a shot in the arm for women's lib at that which though as Gwen concedes 'became a reality thanks to Sri Lanka Cricket.' Indeed, as Herat says, the counterpart body - Sri Lanka Cricket had supported their oppositte sex at the ICC. And she is looking positively at this transition 'where we are hoping to develop an 'A' and 'B' team besides the main team like with the men's lot. The ICC funding would mean having 'enough' to run the game. It would mean enough dollars for tours where as Gwen says, 'we have been badly in need of money particularly for overseas tours, and where the girls would now be able to collect something decent for their upkeep.' It is to a whole fascinating world of cricket that Herat is looking at for her cricketers. First it will be a home series including a three-day Test match and some four one-day internationals when the Australians tour here in September. In March 2005 the Lankan lasses will tour South Africa ahead of the 2005 World Cup. Gwen also expects to develop the team under new coach Nihal Kodithuwakku, a former Sri Lanka cricketer. "We have got a lot of new girls and by grooming an 'A' and 'B' team I hope to be able to feed the main team," she said. She believes that the tour fees which the players did not hitherto enjoy would go a long way in enhancing the scope. "Earlier, they were not that motivated because unlike the men they did not get tour fees except for 5 or 6 dollars. I'm sure this incentive should raise the competitiveness." As Gwen harks, the good thing is that Sri Lanka has already qualified in 2000 for the 2005 World Cup. "We have been slotted 6th next to Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa and India," she said noting that unlike in the men's World Cup the women's tournament draw is made of the top six on performance. New Zealand are the defending champions. Interestingly, lesser known Japan is slotted 7th ahead of the West Indies who are 8th. Interestingly, Gwen, the tower of strength behind women's cricket here, hopes to invade men's cricket as an official as well. "I have a good knowledge of cricket administration, and I did serve in the then Board of Control for Cricket having headed the Puttalam Cricket Club. So I certainly have the credentials to be recognised by the men's body," she says and hastens to ask,"Why don't they look to the fairer sex if other countries like New Zealand and Australia can have women in their cricket administration ? " Over to Sri Lanka Cricket. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
decamping
in London and an ignominious losing streak that included a drubbing by
Pakistan in a home series, Sri Lankan Women's Cricket, fuelled by some
much needed funding from the ICC is looking to a brighter future that
includes a home series against Australia in September and an away series
against South Africa in 2005.
