 
Chris Dhambarage
Her ambition was to become a reputed table tennis player and
represent the country at international tournaments. She also made steady
progress as a talented volleyball player while turning out for her
school in all major competitions regularly.
But instead Chamari Sarojika Polgampola decided to change her mind
and turned into a different game simply because it was making headlines
in the country at that time. After more than a decade, the 28 year old
lass from a remote area of Mangedara in Warakapola was given the task of
taking Sri Lanka women’s cricket to the next level.
The former pupil of Mayurapada MMV, Narammala is now well set to
revive Sri Lanka Cricket giving a new look at the inaugural
International Cricket Council Twenty20 World Cup in England next month.
Even then she was always in line to take over the reigns of the
national team following some outstanding contributions as an all rounder
in the recent past. The poor performances of the team at the World Cup
in Australia and the removal of three senior players certainly brought a
dramatic turn of events thereafter.
Chamari Polgampola of course had the leadership qualities and the
experience to back up having represented the country since 2004. In
addition she has been the vice captain of the team on many occasions
having made her international debut against India at the Asgiriya
Stadium in Kandy.
She also completed consecutive One Day International half centuries
in 2006 against India and Pakistan and took her first four-wicket haul
against Pakistan in May 2008, while returning figures of 4 for 26.
 She has represented the country in three Asia Cup tournaments held in
Colombo (2004), India (2006), Colombo (2008) and also played in the 2005
World Cup in South Africa. But her best performance came in the
inaugural Afro Asia Cup limited overs tournament in India where she
played a major role to help the Asia XI beat the African XI.
Polgampola had the opportunity of touring the West Indies and played
against the England women’s team in two separate tours at home. She has
certainly led from the front in both on and off the field with an
example.
She also ceased her employment with the intention of fully dedicating
herself towards the improvement of the game.
In fact she was attached to Slimline for a long period and
represented the company with distinction. However, time came when she
realised the fact that there should be one hundred percent commitment if
Sri Lanka were to reach the zenith in women’s cricket.
They are of course ranked number two in the Asian region but suffered
a severe blow at the last ICC World Cup in Australia.
Chamari Polgampola believes that her present team is determined to
make amends for those setbacks and to take Sri Lanka women’s cricket to
a new level with a good all round performance.
This is no doubt a big challenge for Chamari whose team will be up
against Pakistan, England and India during the preliminary round
tournament.
She noted that their batting failure was the main reason for the
team’s early exit from the World Cup in Australia and is hoping to
rectify all their mistakes and come out with an improved performance in
England. |
