Chamari Athapaththu: Sri Lanka skipper emphasizes the need for increased backing in women’s cricket
Sri Lanka Captain Calls for Greater Exposure in Women’s Cricket
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu has emphasized the need for more exposure and support for women’s cricket in the country. Following their historic victory over England on Saturday, where Athapaththu was named player of the match for her half-century, she believes that investment and franchise opportunities will be instrumental in advancing their development.
Athapaththu highlights that external support is contingent on their performance as a team. She acknowledges that increased media coverage and televised games are crucial to bolstering the visibility of women’s cricket within Sri Lanka.
With 118 T20s and 95 one-day internationals under her belt, Athapaththu is not only Sri Lanka’s most experienced player but also the sole female cricketer from her nation to have participated in franchise cricket. Her stints in England and Australia have provided invaluable learning experiences both on and off the field.
Despite impressively topping the ICC batting rankings earlier this year, Athapaththu was not selected during this winter’s Women’s Big Bash League draft—a decision she accepts with grace while acknowledging how franchise cricket serves as an excellent platform to learn from senior players across different cultures.
In hopes of nurturing future talent, Athapaththu mentions plans for a T10 franchise competition scheduled for December within Sri Lanka—an initiative with potential to transform women’s cricket within the nation.
Series Decider Against England Looms
Following their series-levelling victory, Sri Lanka faces the daunting task of taking on a formidable England side in the upcoming decider. Despite acknowledging the strength and depth of the English team, Athapaththu expresses enthusiasm for this challenge as an opportunity to further develop her squad.
Acknowledging the importance of exposure against top teams, she believes it provides invaluable learning experiences that will accelerate their progress as players and as a team.
The future looks promising for women’s cricket in Sri Lanka with Athapaththu leading the charge for greater recognition and support. As they continue to defy expectations and make strides on the international stage, it is essential that their efforts are met with increased investment and media coverage.