By Panchamee HEWAVISSENTI

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Cricket was popularly known as the gentleman's game some time ago. Yet, in the contemporary era, cricket is no more a gentleman's exclusive game. It is now the game of graceful, ambiguous, stylish, talented, defensive, idiosyncratic and gentle woman's game. Like the gentleman's game, gentle woman's game too has drawn the attention of cricket lovers in equal quantity nowadays.

Sri Lanka's triumph in the one-day International series recently over West Indies was a creditable achievement, led by Shashikala Siriwardene, a 23-year-old veteran who counts over 30 ODI experience and had an aggregate of striking 126 runs in 5 matches and average of 31.50 and 8 wickets at 14.37. Sri Lanka was combative and displayed great energy levels on the field under the able guidance of skipper, all-rounder Shashikala.

Shashi is proactive, inspirational and calm. She is aggressive, yet not abrasive. She is able to deliver under pressure. This young medium built lass has grown a lot in her game and evolved as an experienced cricketer. She employs bursts of aggression in a judicious manner.

Shashi, the confident and ambitious, above all who is aware of ground realities has adapted herself well, understood her role and has realised early that her success depends upon her ability to get the best out of her players. She spends time in identifying her "women for the job", evaluating them and backing them.This wonderful sporty lass, resonated with hopes, is setting her eyes on the immediate challenge - and building a mighty squad to bring the glory of winning the Women's Cricket World Cup which will be held in Australia next year.

"Obviously we have to develop the team some more towards the World Cup. It cannot be acquired in one day. It's a quite slow process. But I assuredly tell you that these girls are confident of themselves. Their aspirations and dream is to win the world cup so that they work hard towards that goal". The captain certainly has trust in the team.

A good captain does not let the pressure get to the team. Does it apply to you?

The pressure and strain are always on the captain since he/she is held responsible for the team. For that the captain should possess a sound level of physical and mental stamina to lead his or her team. I personally relish the responsibility and do not look upon to it as a burden. A captain should radiate confidence on the field. Immense self-belief should be rubbed off on the team-mates.

How is your relationship with the team-mates?

Just because I'm the captain, I don't try to boss them. Instead I guide them with what they need. I instruct them on the field but when we are out of the game we are like very good friends. I maintain a good relationship with them. I like to be friendly with them than being bossy.

What support do you get from the Sri Lanka Cricket team?

They are very helpful. They come to the grounds and instruct us while we are playing. They watch our performance and are not hesitant to correct our mistakes on the field.

What do you see as reasons for the failure in the last match. Do you think that India is more equipped than the Lankan team?

The result was not a complete surprise. India's competent players outlasted their counterparts. Moreover they had grown stronger.

How's your reaction to criticisms?

I have to take criticisms in a right spirit. I believe I'm nice enough to accept it. Everything doesn't happen the way everyone expects. So, always there are conflicts of interest and happenings. Therefore it's quite natural for someone to criticise my leadership or my team. You should have a thick back for criticisms without letting your morale go down. Often, yet not very often things go the other way as well.

How did you receive the victory at the recent one-day International series against West Indies?

Appraisals at the end of the series showed that the team as a whole is improving at a rapid pace. I began to enjoy captaincy and Sri Lanka Women's Cricket seemed to be heading in the right direction.

How does your mind operate itself during a game? Does it stay as blank as possible? Because the mind does the great deal of the task when it comes to concentrating and focusing your attention?

I try to keep it as blank as possible. How could a person have a mind which doesn't wander. Thousands of thoughts go through your mind which you don't have control over. They may be silly, may be important for the game.

Yet as an experienced player, you should be able to tune your mind to playing matches and being patient?

Yes! The concentrated, attentive and somewhat calm mind comes to shape after playing over the years and playing so many matches.

I do agree with you. Concentration and focus is vital. You should develop it; actually it develops itself over the years.

Let's turn to your personal life..... Tell us about your family?

I have an elder brother and a younger sister. My sister is studying at President's College, Kotte. My brother is working in Italy and my mother stays in Italy with him. My father looks after both my sister and I. I receive a high level support from my father for my sport.

What of your school and academic career?

I studied at President's College, Kotte. When I was schooling I had an intention of going further in my educational career. I had an interest for rational subjects and as a result I did Maths for A/Ls. Due to my excessive commitment for sport, I couldn't spare my time for higher studies and totally gave it up to concentrate more on cricket.

Did you do any other sport at school other than cricket?

Yes. I was an athlete and took part in several meets. But I could only go up to the zonal level.

What turned your attention from athletics to cricket?

Though I engaged in athletics at school, I used to play cricket with my brother and his friends after I came from school and when the boys got together to play cricket.

A new chapter for the girl who played in the grounds in the evening with lads opened when Jayantha Dissanayake discovered her talents.....

He is my father's good friend. One day he happened to see me playing with boys. He introduced me to Palitha Gunasekera who was looking for talented girls to form a women's cricket team. That was in 2003 and I was the first to be recruited for the team. I played for that club for eight years under him.Then I received an invitation form Slimline. I played cricket for that company club for two years while working.

Who is your coach?

The national coach is Chithral Mendis and I was trained under Dinesh Dilruk when I was playing in the club.

When did you become the captain of National Women's Cricket team?

That was in 2005.

Have you ever read any literature on how to lead a team?

No. Neither did I stock up management manuals, because I believe I was a born leader with a little bit of masculine attributes.

There are members in the team who are matured in age and more experienced than you. You are just 23 years old. Don't you think you are too young to be the captain?

No. How I became the captain is another story... Many senior players split up since they were offered foreign scholarships in 2005. There was no deserving player to give the captaincy other than me. Though I'm still 23, I think I have enough experience to lead the team.When I became the captain I felt I was held responsible. I have to spend my time sorting out issues for others. Getting things organised before a match comes naturally to me and the decision of the authorities to hand me the charge of the Sri Lanka team in 2005 was quite right.