- Feels equal pressure on Asia to break the duck
Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Team Vice Captain Anushka Sanjeewani says that the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s World Cup 2025 co-hosts are ready to make their presence felt in the upcoming showpiece event of the 50-over version of the game on the back of them having annexed the T20 Asia Cup last year.
“During the past few months, our training has been very intense,” she told reporters during a media conference held in Colombo on Tuesday (16).
“Now we are ready to make a strong impression in the ICC Women’s World Cup, which is around the corner. We also start this tournament as Asia Cup winners, and with that incentive, I think we can go far in this competition,” she added.
The 13th edition of the eight-nation ICC Women’s World Cup is slated to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 30 September to 2 November.
Sanjeewani, 35, was of the view that defending champions and seven-time winners Australia – the tournament’s most successful side – would go into the month-long competition as odds-on favourites to retain their title.
However, she remarked that the fact that no team from the subcontinent had still lifted the format’s most prized silverware would place additional pressure on them to end the longstanding jinx.
“Australia in my view will be the team to beat, considering their past track record and their overall ranking in the game. Also by the same token, we cannot write off England and New Zealand as well, who have both four titles and one title, respectively. But I feel that all subcontinent sides will have equal pressure to make an impact, as no Asian team has yet prevailed in the tournament’s history.”
The wicketkeeper-batter, who has represented her country in 45 ODIs since making her debut against India 11 years ago, observed that they were currently in a sound frame of mind to face the impending challenge before their own supporters.
She pointed out that affinity with local conditions would be an added advantage they would take into the forthcoming global gathering, but noted that they were prepared to take each challenge as it came instead of getting ahead of themselves.
The Vice Captain added that the Rumesh Ratnayake-coached team were determined to improve on their fifth place finish – their highest-ever placement at the Women’s World Cup – the last time it was staged in Asia in 2013.
The right-handed batter from the Sri Lanka Air Force Sports Club, hailing from Hikkaduwa, stated that a strong balance of youth and maturity coupled with being able to play five of their six matches before home crowds should stand them in good stead.
The only fixture Chamari Athapaththu’s women will play away from home will be the tournament opener against neighbours India at Guwahati on 30 September.
Sanjeewani has so far scored 558 runs, mostly batting at No. 6 position as the stumper of the team, with a top score of 55 against the West Indies Women’s Team in Hambantota in June last year.
The upcoming tournament will also not feature any groups, with all sides to play seven matches during the group phase and with the top four based on their standings to advance to the knockout semis.
The highest-ranked team in the group stage is set to play the fourth-ranked team, while the second-ranked and third-ranked teams will then face off.
The two victors are then due to move through to the summit clash on 2 November at either the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai or the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
(JK)
Sri Lanka squad
Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, and Achini Kulasooriya. Reserve: Inoshi Fernando
BOX
Sri Lanka’s fixtures
- 30 Sept.: India vs. Sri Lanka – Guwahati
- 4 Oct.: Sri Lanka vs. Australia – Colombo
- 11 Oct.: Sri Lanka vs. England – Colombo
- 14 Oct.: Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand – Colombo
- 17 Oct.: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa – Colombo
- 20 Oct.: Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh – Colombo
- 24 Oct.: Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan – Colombo