Sri Lanka determined to learn from mistakes

For Shahikala Siriwardene, Sri Lanka's captain, the agony of seeing her Indian counterpart Mithali Raj dropped twice in the Asia Cup final in January is still fresh in her mind. "If not for those mistakes we could have won that final," says Siriwardene.

Raj was dropped twice in the twenties; she went onto make a hundred. Sri Lanka ended up losing by 97 runs. "We'll make sure we won't make the same mistakes again this time. We are confident of putting up a better performance," she says, confidently, as she prepares to lead Sri Lanka a second time in the Asia Cup in Jaipur which starts on December 13.

Siriwardene, the 22-year-old allrounder, has represented her country since 2003 and was promoted to the captaincy in December last year when she led her country at the last Asia Cup held in Pakistan. And although there are three new faces in the side, Siriwardene believes this will help, rather than hinder, them.

"We have only two or three senior players in the side but despite that I am confident with the newcomers. Even though they are new, they are very competitive and have a winning attitude. That sort of approach gives me a lot of strength as captain. I have a lot of confidence in them and I am sure with their support we can put up a better performance."

The three uncapped players are wicket-keeper Dilani Manodara, and the allrounders Sanduni Abeywickrema from Slimline SC and Nirosha Kumari from Kandy CC.

The team have also been concentrating on their batting, their weakest suit, since the last Asia Cup. The women's team also draws strength by watching the performances of their male counterparts in the Sri Lanka team.

"We watch the men's matches and study their tactics and methods of play. We look at the statistics of their performances. Before we go on a tour at least three or four national cricketers come and speak to us on the conditions we will face in the country that we are about to tour and about the pitches and things like that. On this occasion we could not get anyone because they are away.

"However Sri Lanka Cricket has supported us by providing us with their fielding, batting and bowling coaches. It will be ideal for us if we can have the national men's cricketers come to us often and talk about the game. After the Asia Cup I hope to put forward a proposal to SLC to have national cricketers attend our training and help us out."

With women's cricket now coming under the umbrella of SLC, Siriwardene's proposal could become a reality in the near future.

A past student of President's College, Rajagiriya, Siriwardene is one of the few cricketers fortunate to have learnt the game at the age of 13. But it was not at school but by joining a club. As for the rest of her team mates they were taught the game only from club level at the ages of 19 and 20 because the majority of girls schools don't play cricket.

"We have reached the stage in world cricket playing in this manner for the past ten years. SLC has plans to introduce cricket to schools. I am confident if that happens there is a bright future for women's cricket in this country."

Squad Shahikala Siriwardene (capt), Sandamali Dolawatte, Dedunu de Silva, Chamari Polgampala, Inoka Galagedera, Hiroshi Abeysinghe, Swini de Alwis, Dilani Manodara (wk), Eshani Kaushalya, Nirosha Kumari, Randika Galhenage, Sanduni Abeywickrama, Sumudu Fernando, Sripali Weerakkodi.