A high spirited squad of women’s cricketers led by Rasanjali Silva left for New Zealand to participate in the Cricinfo Women’s World Cup. The 14 member squad was accompanied by Manageress, Mrs. C. Munaweera and Coach Guy de Alwis. The 33 one-day Internationals involving England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland, South Africa, Netherlands and Australia will be fiercely fought out. The current holders are Australia (Men’s World Cup champions too) who will be their level best to retain while New Zealand will be the danger. Many veterans feel there would be some upsets and Sri Lanka is tipped as the ‘Dark Horse’ to clinch this most coveted title in international women’s cricket. While all seven countries are veterans, Sri Lanka goes in as the youngest member of the International Women’s Cricket Council.

‘But’ said Gwen Herat, President of the Women’s Cricket Association of Sri Lanka, ‘It is not going to be easy for our girls. Australia and New Zealand are our headaches. Even India and England are very strong but Sri Lanka has moved up the ladder in a favorite line-up. If our fielding can be still improved, the game can swing in our favour. Wicket-keeper, Thanuja will have to be watchful for those stumpings. I have great faith in this girl’.

Rasanjali Silva and her deputy Sudarshini Sivanathan are full of the experience to guide the newcomers to the team. Vanessa Bowen who successfully steered the World Cup team to the quarter-finals has been dropped.

The high-profile Time Murdoch from New Zealand Cricket is the Tournament Director. For both semi-finals and the World Cup final, New Zealand Cricket will appoint a third umpire who will act as emergency umpire and officiate in regard to replays. No competing team will have the right to any objections to an umpire appointment.

Mrs. Herat will join the team in December when she attends the International Women’s Cricket Council Conference at Christchurch in New Zealand.

Lanka Tiles are the principal sponsors while the co sponsors are Hatton National Bank, LATEC, Samarasinghe Brothers, L. B. Finance, Commercial Bank, CIC Paints, Kane Apparels.

Matches and Umpires

Nov. 29 New Zealand V Australia BIL Oval, Lincoln B Jerling/B Bowden S. Taufer

Nov. 30 England V Netherland BIL Ovl Lincoln B Jerling/K Cross D Quested

India V Sth Africa Hagley Ovl, Christchurch S. Taufel/B Bowden P Williams

Dec. 01 Australia V Sri Lanka Hagley Oval, Christchurch B Bowden/K Cross B Jerling

New Zealand V Ireland BIL Oval, LincolnS Yaufel/ P Williams D Quested

Dec. 02 England V Sth Africa BIL Oval, Lincoln D Quested/PWilliams S Taufel

India V Netherlands Lincoln Green, Lincoln B Jerling/K Cross B Bowden

Dec. 3 Australia V Ireland Hagley Oval, Christchurch B Bowden/D Quested K Cross

New Zealand V Sri Lanka Lincoln Green, Lincoln S Taufel/B Jerling P Williams

Dec. 04 England V India Lincoln Green, Lincoln S Taufel/B Bowden D Quested

Netherlands V Sth Africa Hagley Oval, Christchurch K Cross/S. Dunne B Jerling

Dec. 05 Ireland V Sri Lanka Lincoln Green, Lincoln S Taufel/D Quested S Dunne

Dec. 06 Australia V India BIL Oval, Lincoln S Taufel/K Cross D Quested

New Zealand V Netherlands Hagley Oval, Christchurch P Williams/S. Dunne C Fenwick

Dec. 07 Ireland V England BIL Oval, Lincoln S Taufel/S Dunne P Williams

Dec 08 Sri Lanka V Sth Africa BIL Oval Lincoln K Cross/D Quested S Dunne

Dec. 09 New Zealand V India Lincoln Green, Lincoln P Parker/P Williams K Cross

Dec. 10 Sri Lanka V Netherlands Hagley Oval, Christchurch P Parker/D Quested K Cross

Australia V England Lincoln Green, Lincoln S Dunne/P Williams J Busby

Dec. 11 New Zealand V Sth Africa Lincoln Green, Lincoln P Parker/D Quested P Williams

Ireland V India Hagley Oval, Christchurch K Cross/S Dunne J Busby

Dec. 12 England V Sri Lanka BIL Oval, Lincoln B Jerling/P Williams B Bowden

Dec. 13 Australia V Sth Africa BIL Oval, Lincoln B Jerling/D Quested K Cross

Dec. 14 New Zealand V England BIL Oval, Lincoln B Jerling/D Quested J Busby

Ireland V Netherlands Hagley Oval, Christchurch K Cross/B Bowden P Williams

Dec. 15 India V Sri Lanka Lincoln Green, Lincoln B Jerling/B Bowden K Cross

Dec. 16 Australia V Netherlands Lincoln Green, Lincoln K Cross/P Williams C Fenwick

Sth Africa V Ireland Hagley Oval, Christchruch B Jerling/J Busby C Cowper

Dec. 18 Semi Final 1V4 BIL Oval, Lincoln TBA

Dec. 19 Reserve Day

Dec. 20 Semi Final 2V3 BIL Oval, Lincoln TBA

Dec. 21 Reserve Day

Dec. 23 Final BIL Oval, Lincoln TBA

Dec. 24 Reserve Day