Sri Lanka rue missed opportunities in World Cup opener against India. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
Sloppy fielding and lack of batting depth cost Sri Lanka an ideal start to the Women’s Cricket World Cup as they fought valiantly but fell short by 59 runs to one of the favourites, India.
Sri Lanka had India against the ropes at 6 for 126 but dropped catches let the home team off the hook as they rallied and scrambled to a respectable total of 269 for 8 in their allotment of 47 overs.
Needing 275 in the revised Duckworth-Lewis-method, Sri Lanka’s hopes faded when skipper Chamari Athapaththu succumbed to a clever yorker by Deepti Sharma while in full flight at 43 off 47 deliveries as they fell short to be bowled out for 211 in 45.4 overs.
Although dropping the first game, Sri Lanka showed plenty of promise for their games ahead especially playing at home in five games. The tournament is played in India and Sri Lanka.
India lost superstars Smirti Mandana for a duck and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur cheaply sending shock waves through the team. But their middle order led by Deepti Sharma, 53 off 53 balls and Amanjot Kaur, 57 off 56 balls dug them out of a hole to take them to a total of safety. The pair added a century stand in their heroic effort.
Deepti Sharma completed a great allround game scoring 53 off 53 balls, then followed it with 3 for 54 to renamed Player-of-the-match.
Left ar spinner Inoka Ranaweera caused much of the damage early grabbing 4 for46 off 9 overs when India batted.
Sri Lanka’s openers Hasini Perera and skipper Chamari Athapaththu started off briskly in their chase putting on 30 for the first wicket before Athapaththu was involved in two 50- run partnerships with Harshita Samarawickrema 29 off 45 balls and later Nilakshika Silva, 35 off 29 deliveries, to make it look competitive before the Indians reeled them in to secure victory.
On reflection, Sri Lanka’s coaching staff led by Rumesh Ratnayake will underline the importance of fielding and the cost of missed opportunities.
India have a new respect for the Lankans who have usurped them in recent encounters and they have grown to realise they are no pushovers anymore.
In other games, Nepal were giant killers knocking over West Indies in a shocking boilover.
Australia and New Zealand clasn in the battle of the neighbours in India tonight.
Sri Lanka’s under-19 women meanwhile, completed a 5-0 whitewash over Australia in Sri Lanka.
It is a vital statistic about the development of the women’s game in the country.
