Girls’ school cricket: Big match season returns

Wednesday, 9 May 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Madushka Balasuriya

The big match season for girls’ schools is once again upon us, with Sri Lanka Cricket announcing an increase to 15 games in the coming season.

Last year was the first time girls’ schools had been asked to take part in big matches - a longstanding tradition among boys’ schools - with 10 matches being held.

This year will also see the continued use of international cricket stadiums for some games, with Rathnawali Balika Gampaha set to take on Anula Vidyalaya Nugegoda at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and St. Anthony’s to face Nugawela Central Kandy at Pallekele.

“In order to encourage girls’ cricket and take them to the national level, we started this initiative last year,” said SL Women’s Cricket Convenor Apsari Tillakaratne.

“The support from the principals and schools, plus interest from the girls has been very promising. We are also thankful to SLC for providing the umpires, scorers and equipment, plus other funding. International stadiums have also been provided and we hope to bring in more schools in the future.”

SLC has placed a renewed focus on women’s cricket in the recent past, highlighted by an increased number of SL women’s team tours, a recent talent recruitment drive and an overall doubling of investment in women’s cricket in 2017.

The promotion of girls’ schools big matches is another such initiative, one which has already begun to show dividends with 19-year-old Harshitha Samarawickrama of Anula Vidyalaya having already represented Sri Lanka at the 2017 World Cup in England.

“Anula is in a good position in terms of women’s cricket and we have to thank SLC for that achievement,” said Anula Vidyalaya Principal Jayani Prishangika. “We are very proud of Harshitha Samarawickrama who recently represented Sri Lanka at a world cup.”

Added Rathanwali Balika Gampaha Principal Hema Jayawardena: “I have been surprised by the level of interest shown by the schools and the students. The big match last year was a major success, and the students are looking forward to it again [which is on 11 May at Khettarama]. I am confident that if this continues, we will be able to mould future national cricketers from our school as well.”

These sentiments were echoed by Prasanna Mohotti, the Head Coach/Master in Charge at Thallala Dharmavijaya College, who stated that they too had cricketers close to breaking through at the national level.

“You might not have heard of our school but two of our students are almost at the national level,” said Mohotti. “We didn’t have a girls’ team before this but because of the request made by Apsara we started one. Then we managed to actually develop these two players. And now we are even able to compete in an upcoming big match.”

For the girls too the big match season is seen as a sort of release from the rigours of day to day school life.

“Usually at girls’ schools discipline is quite high and maintaining it is a priority. But during big match season we like to create a more relaxed environment and it’s like a summer break for them,” said Prishangika.

“A lot of students concentrate on studies but that can be stressful. This is helpful to increase togetherness as a school and improve the overall contentment and happiness of our students.”